Body Language in Communication: Deciphering the Silent Narratives of Your Gestures

Body Language in Communication: Deciphering the Silent Narratives of Your Gestures

When we contemplate communication, we often regard it as a predominantly verbal exercise. However, research universally supports the notion that a significant chunk of our communicative prowess lies not in the words we utter, but in the language of our bodies – a potent, yet silent symphony of gestures that lend vast contexts to our spoken expressions.

During a recent international conference where I was a presenter, delegates exhibited a byzantine curiosity for my hand gestures. They wondered about the relevance of these gestures in my delivery, tempting me to delve deeper into the fascinating world of body language. So, in this piece, allow me to unravel the intriguing nuances of non-verbal communication and explore how this powerful language manifests in our gestures.

Gestures in Action: A Dancer’s Perspective

To uncover the secrets steeped in the language of gestures, whose insights could be more riveting than those of skilled dancers - the physical poets of human movement.

My understanding deepened recently, when I collaborated with a renowned dancer who shared revealing facets about the indispensable role gestures play in the realm of dance. Subtle and conspicuous hand movements, rhythmic alignment of the body, and nuanced expressions - all contribute to a dancer’s compelling narration.

More importantly, she shed light on the cultural coding of gestures. She astutely observed that in different cultures, the gestures women enact during their dances are extremely specific. They're not just movements; they are intricate stories rooted in their vibrant traditions and values.

Hailing back to earlier times, my youthful stints in the gorgeous Spanish city of Granada were awash with traditional Flamenco dance and captivating gypsy music events. The vibrancy of these cultural spectacles, resplendent with emotive gestures, started echoing again as I navigated this newfound understanding about body language in dance.

Gesture, a Prelude to Verbal Communication

Writing a book on teaching methods required me to research extensively about child development, leading me to unearth some intriguing data. It chronicled how young children start expressing rhythmically with arm and hand gestures before they articulate verbally. Parallels drawn against this backdrop cemented the fact that gestures and vocal expressions are two crucial elements of a human's symbol-making ability.

Symbol-making ability? I am referring to the varied mediums that constitute our avenues for communication, carrying unique but interrelated significance: spoken words, written letters, numerical figures, pictorial representations. This ability forms one of the fundamental differentiators that segregate humans from the rest of the animal kingdom. Alas, our education and upbringing often steer clear of the indispensable knowledge of body language, leaving us primarily dependent on the spoken and written words.

So, here's an insightful guide, bolstered with actionable tips that enhance your awareness of body language in communication, primarily focusing on gestures.

Boost Your Body Language Acumen

Step One: Be Aware and Observe

Whenever engrossed in a discussion, consciously observe your chat-partner’s gestures. Are there specific patterns, repetitions or particular gestures that align with specific phrases or words? As words flow from their mouth, their hands or eyes may silently supplement their thoughts, painting invisible pictures, or living out silent dramatisations. Observing deeply might open up new dimensions to comprehend the crux of the conversation.

As an illustration, during my speeches, I often employ my hands actively to accentuate my oration. Listeners with heightened awareness can even detect through auditory cues that I am using my hands, although visually apparent evidence is nonexisting!

Most intriguingly, the majority of us remain largely oblivious to our own gestures. A gesture is not just a physical move; it is a subconscious expression that travels from the quiet corridors of our unconscious mind. Interestingly, recognising and acknowledging gestures can establish a meaningful dialogue with someone's subconscious processes. Sound exciting, doesn't it?

Step Two: Mirror and Match

Once you recognise someone's gesture, subtly reflect some of them back during the conversation. While referring to a point they've made, align their gesture with your words. This technique, known as 'mirroring' or 'matching', promotes rapport by silently conveying that you are attentive and understand their perspective.

For instance, in a conversation, if your colleague describes an escalating situation while gesturing an upward movement with their hand, you could subtly mimic this by raising your hand slightly, reflecting an alignment of understanding.

Step Three: Refer and Engage

Keep escalating your practice of referring to people's gestures. A person might express a predicament with a hand gesture involuntarily. Proactively acknowledge this by stating, "I notice your hand gesture. Is there something more to what you are saying?" Your reference may catch them off-guard initially, but often it ignites a spark of wonder, bringing conscious light to previously unconscious thoughts.

Similarly, deeply engage with the gestures. For example, a client aspiring to be a public speaker might express an invisible barrier with a pushing hand movement. In such a situation, guiding their hand to be pushed aside can lead to an instantaneous breakthrough, as it directly interacts with their subconscious mapping.

Exceptional care must be exercised when engaging physically with someone else's gestures. Physical interactions must be appropriately fitting and should be carried out only when the rapport built is robust enough to allow for such intimate interactions.

Gestures and Corporate Communication

But body language isn't solely reserved for intimate, interpersonal exchanges. It extends its dominance even in the realm of corporate and professional interactions. Specifically, understanding gestures becomes a potent tool to build rapport subtly in business settings.

To illustrate, I once demonstrated the tremendous persuasive power of correctly interpreting gestures at a seminar. An attendee later shared an incident where a colleague frequently sought her expertise to solve technical issues. After learning to interpret gestures, she noticed that her colleague used a specific hand gesture while expressing his problem. Mirroring the gesture and casually moving it aside as if discarding an obstacle, she encouraged the colleague to "let go" of the issue in question and focus on the solution. Surprisingly, this simple physical enactment of the problem being tossed away helped her colleague quickly arrive at a solution on his own, saving her valuable time.

In conclusion, by paying close attention to the gestures of others and reciprocating appropriately, you can unearth deeper layers of understanding, enhancing your empathetic and effective communication skills. Remember, each gesture, consciously observed, silently reciprocated, or dynamically engaged with, plays an instrumental role in crafting a more profound, richer, and more authentic interactive experience.