Posture & Gestures

Intentional movements and signals are an important way to communicate meaning without words. An individual's general posture can pass on anything from high status and self-assurance to shyness and submissiveness. Basic gestures incorporate waving, pointing, and utilizing fingers to demonstrate numeric amounts. Other gestures are discretionary and identified with society. To make a good impression at your workplace, remember to control and carefully use your gestures. Especially while speaking, pay special attention to your upper body and make sure its aligned with the person to whom you're talking with. Erect posture sends a message of confidence, competence, diligence and strength. One critical point to remember regarding gestures is that these nonverbal cues may have vast difference in meanings in various cultures. Yet by and large, inclining towards the speaker suggests attraction and interest; pulling away denotes fear or disgust. These two gestures must be very carefully used as they remain universal irrespective of the culture.

References:

Guffey, M.E., Rhodes, K., Rogin, P.(2011). Business Communication: Processes and product(4th brief Canadian edition).Scarborough,Canada:Nelson.

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