What is Non-Verbal Communication?
Question:
Write an essay on Effective Business Communications.
Defining non-verbal communication is a difficult proposition. In plain terms it can described as a form of communication, which does not involve spoken and written communication. It is a form of communication that uses gestures and body language as a mean of communication. Non verbal communication is one of the alternative means of communication that is adopted to traditional verbal communication style. Non verbal communication incorporates body language, touch, facial expressions and gestures as a part of the communication style (Bargiela-Chiappini & Nickerson, 2014).
The topic of interview and negotiation has an important place in the workplace. Interview is a form of communication, in which the interviewer informs, communicates and assesses an interviewing. Negotiation is a type of bargaining, which is undertaken to persuade and compromise on certain matters. Interview is a form of structured communication, which establishes a relationship between verbal and non verbal communication (Chaney & Martin, 2013).
Star Group Ltd has been facing certain issues in the non verbal communication aspect of the interview process. The company boasts of cultural diversity in the workplace. Cultural diversity reflects on one integral fact, which is the presence of diversity of languages. The employees at the workplace and the candidates applying for employment will be candidates that speak different languages. However, the human resource manager and the management are multi linguistic, which lead to major language barriers. As a combative measure to such barriers, non verbal communication is promoted and adopted during interview process. However, shortcomings are viewed and observed in non verbal communication. Semantic barrier and misunderstandings are observed during non verbal communication. People who are experienced and well versed with such interview processes, exhibit certain assumed facial expressions and body language that is the requirement as per the interview standards. This reflects an untrue and unfair representation of the interview processes. New and fresh methods and approaches need to be adopted to overcome these shortcomings in the interview process of Star Group Ltd regarding non verbal communication.
- To identify the loopholes and shortcomings in non verbal communication
- To identify the interview process and the gaps noticed in the interview process of Star Group Ltd
- To evaluate and assess the areas of deviations of the communication pattern of the HR management group.
- To evaluate and recommend fresh ideas and new approaches in the communication style involved in the interview process.
The understanding of concepts like non verbal communication and the merits and demerits attached with it is critical for any organization. The importance of interview and negotiations and the incorporation of suitable and appropriate communication style in interviews are very important to any organizations. The successful implementation of correct communication style will affect the organization positively and will improve the workforce and further strengthen the cultural diversity and productivity of the organization by employing correct employee for the appropriate job. It will remove language and semantic barrier. The scope of the research proposal is to highlight these benefits and also improve the interview process of the organization, which enhances the image of the organization.
Non verbal communication
Non-verbal communication is the style of communication that incorporates essence of body language, facial expression, touch and other abstract means in the communication style. It eliminates written and spoken words in the communication style. The non verbal communication comprises of body language, gestures and vocal tone as the major element of non verbal communication. Non verbal communication critically analyses the eye cues and interpretation of each eye cues. Non verbal communication is the imparting of messages by medium excluding written and spoken words (Chaney & Martin, 2013).
Importance of Communication in Interview and Negotiation
Non verbal communication includes personal and face to face conversation in a non spoken context. Every action and display of behavior in conscious and subconscious state holds special implications and the interpretation of such actions is critically analyzed and made. These interpretations hold special meaning and importance because non verbal communication is heavily dependent on such gestures and actions and the failure to interpret to them leads to ambiguity and communication barriers. Non verbal communication includes tone of the voice, volume of the voice, the speed of the speech, pitch and gestures or body language. Non verbal communication also includes poise, stance of a person, body posture, the proximity of a person to the speaker during communication, dress and appearance during communication is important and eye movement. Eye movement and body posture are vital elements in non verbal communication. It highlights the state of mind and the energy level of a person. Jittery and constant movement of the arms and legs during communication indicates nervous energy and a state of anxiety in a person. Eye movement reflect the energy level like nervousness, excitement, grief and joy are effectively depicted through eye movements. Disadvantages relating to non verbal communication include distortion of information. In non verbal communication, there is high level of distortion or information leading rumors and confusion. It is not a preferable means of communication since it does not create a strong and lasting impression on listeners and receivers (Cardon, 2015).
The effect of the non verbal communication has been seen to have not created a strong impression and effect, which does not create as a strong as an impact, which verbal communication does. Non verbal communication is only applicable to short communications. Long communications are not possible in non verbal communications and the lack of flexibility adds to the demerit in the communication pattern. The lack of comprehension in non verbal communication and the repetitive nature of the communication style is one of the shortcomings of the communication style. It also leads to misunderstandings and semantic barrier and misinterpretation between the speaker and the listeners. In addition to the demerits, the merit of the communication style is also noticed since non verbal communication adds a complete picture and presents a comprehensive aspect to the communication pattern (Kelley & Autman, 2014).
Interview is a kind of a face to face conversation between a speaker and the listener. The two parties involved in an interview are the interviewer and the interviewee. It can be noticed that the nature of communication involved in a communication is interrogatory. It is evident from the communication pattern in an interview that certain understanding and assessment is the purpose of an interview (Kelley & Autman, 2014).
The purpose of interviews is to establish an understanding of the feelings and emotions of the interviewee. It is useful in establishing an understanding of the experiences and notions of the interviewee towards different subjects. Interview is useful in comprehending the working style and organizational behavior in respect of a particular employee. Interviews help an organization is assessing its future prospect in respect to advantages and risks given by the employee. Interview and negotiations are useful tools in persuading interviewees into particular terms and conditions of the organizations (ThilL & Bovée, 2013).
Challenges Faced in Non-Verbal Communication during Interviews at Star Group Ltd
Interview provides a strong groundwork for employee evaluation framework. There are certain criteria and requirements in an interview and thus interviews provide the framework and guidelines for selecting candidates and improving staffing functions. Interviews are structured communication that incorporates both verbal and non verbal style of communication (Bargiela-Chiappini & Nickerson, 2014).
However, one can notice the deviations involved in interview process. Communication barriers often pose as the hindrances in the interview process, and the effect can be traced from the operations and productivity of the organizations. The shortcomings of non verbal communication can hamper the interview process.
For conducting the research, certain approaches like “positivism method approach”, “deductive method approach” and “descriptive method approach” is used in the research methodology. Primary data collection method is used and qualitative data is utilized for the purpose of the research. Sampling method is used, in which two managers are used for interview process.
The expected outcome of this research is the shortcoming and the deviation that is expected to be seen and observed during interview process. The research is expected to show that shortcomings and the loopholes observed in non verbal communication and its effect on the interview process (ThilL & Bovée, 2013). From the literature review, it can be seen that certain shortcomings and loopholes do exist in non verbal communication that affects the interview process and serves as a shortcomings for human resource team that is involved in conducting interviews.
During the data collection procedure, primary data was used for the research. In the primary data collection method, interview method was used and two managers were interviewed and questioned to establish a cohesive and comprehensive idea of the interview process and the role of non verbal communication played by it in the interview process. The interview was conducted to establish the benefit and the magnitude of loophole that was observed in the non verbal communication style in the interview process. The lack of multi linguistic ability of the managers of the human resource team and the cultural diversity of the organization was also reflected in the interview process.
Focus group was the analytical tool for conducting the research. It was used for understanding the inferences observed during the research process and a total understanding of the issues faced in the interview process by managers with regards to non verbal communication are established from this research.
Conclusion
From the research it can be concluded that non verbal communication does suffer from certain loopholes and shortcomings that does affect the interview process, it can be seen that lack of understanding and misinterpretation and misunderstanding are common grounds of loopholes of non verbal communication that interviewers suffers from during interview. Such lapses and deviations do cast their evils on the organizations and the organizations can select wrong candidates based on such shortcomings. Better techniques and incorporating better understanding of non verbal communication is critical to the success of the interview process.
The human resource management should be trained for improving their skills in interpreting non verbal communication. In the training process, the mangers need to be taught how to understand body posture, eye movement and body language. More information and details need to be provided to develop a comprehensive understanding of gestures and signs. The managers need to be taught to carefully analyze the facial expressions and develop new standards to employee evaluation framework so that improve the assessment criteria of the employees. The managers must be able to understand to incorporate the correct mix of verbal and non verbal communication.
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