Graded Project

The development of non-verbal skills is very important. Often we ignore the significance on non-verbal communication because we believe that our language is the most important part in our communication. As for me, I used to believe that non-verbal communication is absolutely insignificant. I stood on the ground that what does matter is what we are saying to each other, while our gestures, mimics, eye-contact and other elements of non-verbal communication are unimportant. However, now I am conscious of the fact that my view on the non-verbal communication was erroneous and superficial. In actuality, I believe that non-verbal communication is as important as our verbal communication and, what is more, it is not an easy to develop an effective non-verbal communication because it is often difficult to control all your gestures, movements, mimics and other elements of the non-verbal communication are difficult to control. This is why I understand that the non-verbal communication can influence the overall effect of the communication and, depending on your ability to use the non-verbal communication, it can either help you to communicate effectively or, in contrast, it will raise unsurpassable barriers in your communication.

In fact, I did not really understand the significance of the non-verbal communication as long as I was not engaged in non-verbal listening exercises. In fact, when I participated in non-verbal listening exercises I focused on my look. I attempted to analyze my look and the impact it produces on my interlocutors. In such a situation, I started to think about my look as secondary in the process of my communication but, in the course of the non-verbal listening exercises I have started to re-evaluate the look of an individual in the process of communication. When I started to think over the importance of the look of an individual, I realized that the look of an individual contributes to the formation of the first impression of a person.

At the same time, I have focused on the sensitivity involved in the process of communication. When I concentrated on the emotional and sensual aspect of communication, I have revealed the fact that emotional state of persons involved in the process of communication is very important. The emotional state of an individual influences consistently the process of communication and the perception of the messages conveyed by interlocutors. At any rate, when I attempted to assess the emotional state of a speaker, I revealed a significant role of the emotional state of a speaker on the perception of his or her message. In actuality, the emotional state of a speaker mirrors the mood of a speaker and the audience receives the message which is emotionally colored.

Furthermore, gestures also influence consistently the process of communication and the perception of the message conveyed by a speaker. In this respect, in the course of the non-verbal listening exercises, I have revealed the fact that gestures affect consistently the perception of the message of a speaker. In fact, gestures can distract the attention of viewers from the message of the speaker. At the same time, gestures can back up the verbal message but it is important to avoid excessive gestures and avoid unnecessary gestures. The same may be said about the mimic. In such a situation, it is very important to use gestures, mimics, and other body movements carefully in order to keep the attention of listeners on the message of the speaker. In addition, I have revealed the fact that excessive gestures or nervous gestures can influence consistently the perception of the message and it is difficult to focus on the verbal speech. On the other hand, the use of proper gestures can help to maintain ideas conveyed by speakers in the verbal message.

As a result, I have identified several weaknesses and strength in my non-verbal communication. I attempted to analyze my personal skills of the non-verbal communication and the gestures I use in my non-verbal communication. To put it more precisely, when I analyzed my gestures that I use in the course of the communication, I have revealed the fact that I get used to wave my hand when I start speaking. Moreover, the more I get involved in the conversation the more active are my gestures to the extent that it is difficult to control my gestures. In fact, I am inclined to active gesticulation in the course of the communication. As a result, my non-verbal communication becomes ineffective under the impact of my gestures.

In order to improve my non-verbal communication, I attempted to focus on my gestures. At first, I attempted to identify which nervous gestures I use in the course of the non-verbal communication. I asked my friends to observe me in the process of communication and identify my nervous gestures. The second step to improve my non-verbal communication. As I identified my nervous gestures with the help of my friends, I attempted to stop using my gestures in the course of the communication. Naturally, I am conscious of the fact that it is impossible to change my non-verbal communication consistently in a day and I have already faced the problem with the minimization of the use of gestures in the course of the communication. Nevertheless, as I have identified my nervous gestures, I steadily decrease their use in my communication but this process is quite complicated because when I think about my gestures it distracts me from the verbal communication proper.

Thus, taking into account all above mentioned, it is possible to conclude that the use of non-verbal communication is very important. Our gestures, body movements and mimics affect our communication because they can distract the attention of listeners from the message conveyed by the speaker. At the same time, the non-verbal communication can enhance the verbal communication. This is why it is very important to identify nervous gestures and other problems in the course of the non-verbal communication and start eliminating these negative elements of the non-verbal communication to make it really effective. The identification of problems in the non-verbal communication helps to change the style of the non-verbal communication and makes it more effective.