Verbal and non-verbal communication: a question of leadership

What weight does non-verbal communication carry in a message?

Some researchers have shown that Non-verbal communication plays a much more important role than verbal communication. Due to the spontaneous nature of this communication, which is an expression of involuntary expressed emotional states that, in many cases, escape through gestures or attitudes, the impact it has on the receiver is much more important than the effect of words alone. 

Because of this, although words play a fundamental role regarding the content of the information that one wishes to transmit, if they are not accompanied by a Non-verbal communication that helps to reinforce the message, this will not achieve the desired effects.

Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication: The Art of Transmission

verbal and non-verbal communication should use from awareness, The chances of Successfully transmit the message. To do this, it is necessary to understand that certain gestures and attitudes transmit specific information, and Knowing this information could play a fundamental role in the way a good leader is able to communicate their message.

The organisation's leaders need to be clear that:

• Both verbal and non-verbal communication are instruments at your service, which can work in a determined way to increase your effectiveness.
• The way you communicate non-verbally can mean one thing to the leader, but convey a completely different message to the recipient of their message.
• Verbal and non-verbal communication should be taken care of, not only in formal meetings and official work encounters, but also in casual and informal interactions, both inside and outside the organisation.
• When the messages a leader conveys verbally and non-verbally are aligned, when words and gestures express the same thing, the audience's trust in them, and therefore in the organisation they represent, increases.

Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication: Making Contact

Before launching into a message, it is necessary to know your audience and understand the implications of the information that is to be shared with her. From this basis, it is when the way in which said information will be communicated must be enhanced, and where verbal and non-verbal communication factors of different types come into play.

Every good communicator has the empathic capacity well-developed and, thanks to this ability, and to the use of the emotional intelligence, it will be easy for you to “read” your interlocutor's face. However, to align verbal and non-verbal communication, in addition to the necessary preparation for the speech, you will have to use the appropriate attitude and gestures to convey the message more effectively, which implies understanding what each non-verbal communication cue that is carried out means. 

Fundamental elements of non-verbal language

Some aspects that the leader must learn to be monitored are as follows:

• Facial expressionEyes, eyebrows and mouth together form a very powerful source of information. In a matter of milliseconds, they can clearly convey pain, anger, rage, joy, disgust, disappointment, boredom or confusion, among many other moods. It is fundamental that a good leader understands this language if they are to use it to their advantage.
• Body languageThe body posture, foot position, way of sitting or other subtle movements reveal more than our words. Just as with facial expression, a good leader will need to take this into account if they want to enhance the message they are trying to convey. 
• GesturesThey add meaning to words, being especially important, above all, when they come from hand movements.

The importance of eye contact 

Finally, it should be noted that eye contact is another aspect to consider when working to increase the effectiveness of verbal and non-verbal communication. People often attribute trustworthiness to people who speak while maintaining good eye contact and vice versa. However, this way of connecting with the other person is also used to convey interest and emotions, and to promote the relationship with the receiver of the message. Therefore, it is another of the aspects of non-verbal communication that can be used to enhance the message one wants to convey.