Currently, the communicative competencies of specialists in various fields play a decisive role in determining their professionalism. The ability to communicate effectively with customers, business partners, and employees is highly appreciated by employers.
Communicativeness as a professional quality includes various communication parameters, including the ability to use and understand verbal and non-verbal means of communication.
Verbal and non - verbal means of communication can improve the efficiency of business communication.
Verbal means of communication include human speech. The skillful use of the linguistic features of a particular language, the correct use of words and expressions, language styles express the speaker's education, contribute to the achievement of communication goals, form the social status of the interlocutor.
Non-verbal means of communication include postures, gestures, facial expressions, looks, smells, a person’s position in space, organization of interpersonal space, etc.
The role of non-verbal means in communication has been studied in psychology relatively recently, but the popularity of these studies is high today. Many businessmen, politicians, executives have experienced in their own experience the need to use non-verbal means of communication in business communication. A person’s psychology is such that he unconsciously supplements his speech with various gestures and facial expressions, expresses negative or positive moods through looks, postures, movements. “Reading” this language is sometimes quite difficult, but necessary.
Specialists studying verbal and non-verbal means of communication have identified the decisive role of non-verbal means of communication in transmitting information: about 70% of the information is perceived by the interlocutor visually (visually); sounds and intonation convey 38% of the meaning of the transmitted information, and poses and gestures - 55%.
Non-verbal means of communication allow you to see and show the exact meaning of words and expressions, as well as the relationship of the interlocutor to the communication partner and to the received (transmitted) information.
For example, the position and distance between the participants in communication speaks volumes. The face-to-face arrangement of two interlocutors (or the arrangement of several communication partners in a circle) creates a more trusting atmosphere.
The ability to choose a pose in a private conversation, at a meeting, during negotiations is also an important element of communication. The closed or open posture of a person indicates a relation to the interlocutor, the psychological state of the partner, and interest in information. Crossing arms or legs characterizes closed postures. A smooth change in body position, the ability to emphasize what was said in one motion can relieve tension during the conversation and achieve the desired.
Of great importance in communication is the use of facial expressions. First of all, the interlocutors try to understand each other's facial expressions . The human face is a rich source of information that shows the internal state, mood, attitude. The same phrase, uttered with a different expression, will in each case have a completely different (and even opposite) meaning. A smile, shifted eyebrows, clenched jaws, open mouth, lowered corners of the lips tell the interlocutor about goodwill or aggressiveness, interest or disregard, acceptance or rejection.
However, human eyes are considered the most informative compared to other non-verbal means of communication. Even a smile cannot hide alienation, and a handshake does not cover the fear that is manifested in the look of the interlocutor. The communicative abilities of a specialist allow only one look to put an end to business communication.
Skillfully using verbal and non-verbal means of communication, a professional allows business communication to take place exactly in the direction that is necessary for an effective business.