Communication is powerful and especially in person communication. According to a UCLA study, non-verbal forms of communication speaks volumes regarding what a person is saying. According to the study, only 7% of what is actually being said is conveyed to the person verbally. The listener actually takes cues from the tone of voice (38%) and the visual gestures (55%). If what the listener is being told doesn’t mesh with the tone and visual gestures; facial expressions, hand movements, body language, etc… They are more inclined to believe the body language over the spoken words.
Be sure that your nervous body habit(s) ~ foot tapping, poor posture, fidgeting, arms crossed ~ isn’t given your listener the wrong message.
Mirror, Mirror, Mirror See How Similar We Are!
A key to using non-verbal communication to your advantage is to mirror a person’s personality and behavior.
If a person is mellow then respond to his conversation with a smooth lower tone and less body gesturing. However, if a person is enthusiastic then mirror his enthusiasm by using more gestures (body and facial) and raising the volume of your voice a little.
Beware not to overdo it … you want to come across as one with the other person’s persona not that you are mocking them.
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