Verbal and Nonverbal Types of Communication
Verbal and Nonverbal Types of Communication
The different types of communication come in many shapes and forms, but can be defined into two very distinct components. Verbal, or spoken communication, and nonverbal communication are the two main types of communication that we use whenever we are communicating with someone else, which then makes it necessary for us to understand their complexity if we want to get the results we want from our communication.
But before we get into the details of the discussion, just what are these verbal and nonverbal types of communication about?
Types of Communication: The Verbal Approach
When it comes to the different types of communication, the most explicit of them all would be verbal communication.
Although verbal communication is about the spoken word, there are other things to take into consideration too. Whatever we have to say is said clearly and explicitly via symbols and sounds and that explicitly state our intent. The important factor to remember here is that words are primarily used here, and this is what distinguishes verbal communication from other types of communication.
Types of Communication: Nonverbal Communication
The nonverbal approach is the more subtle type of communication, but could be even more powerful than verbal communication.
Nonverbal communication is perhaps the most refined method among the different types of communication. Everything from how we use our voice to the slight motions of our facial muscles to the hand gestures we unconsciously do when talking, all contain subtle nonverbal messages, which need a great amount of observation and awareness to notice in the first place.
Synergy Between the Two Types of Communication
These two types of communication are essential when you are in a face-to-face conversation with another person, and their combination can either make or break your success.
This is because the verbal types of communication, the words you speak, convey the message you want to say while the nonverbal types of communication, the gestures you show with them, will subtly affect the efficiency of the message you convey to your audience. If one does not match the other, you can expect to lose the effectiveness of your communication to the other person. People will subconsciously be aware of the discrepancies between the two types of communication, and they will receive the message with distrust.
Integrating the Two Types of Communication
It is quite simple: learn how to match your words with your actions, and you will be able to deliver your message with greater efficiency.
Between the two types of communication, nonverbal gestures usually require much more heed and consideration than verbal gestures. Words can easily be spoken and changed even before you speak, but the gestures are things that occur naturally and often without any significant amount of consious thought.
It is for this reason that confidence and cultural understanding become essential to improving your nonverbal skills. Your confidence will naturally leak over to your bodily gestures, while cultural understanding will enable you to avoid offending your audience with meanings that are unspoken but are evident through your body.
Understand all this and you will experience the fundamental consequences that these two types of communication have on how you convince and influence others.
Filed under Avoid Divorce, Marriage Issues, Relationship Problems, marriage problems, news by on Oct 28th, 2009. 
