Enhancing Workplace Productivity Using Non-Verbal Communication

Heather Rothbauer-Wanish posted an interesting article about how frequently overlooked behaviours can be detrimental to the productivity of a workplace. 

The saying, “your eyes are the windows to your soul” very well depicts her view of how eye contact affects communication. Looking into the eyes of your conversationalist creates a path for the message to travel from the speaker and to the recipient, which consequently promotes understanding and honesty.  The inability to look at the other person’s eyes gives the impression that you have something to hide, which can easily be translated as dishonesty.  

Posture is another form of nonverbal communication as it reflects an individual’s mental state. For example, sitting up straight and leaning in to the speaker implies that you are interested in the conversation—you can’t wait to hear more. One must always ensure that they are not slouching, leaning back, or rocking back and forth in their chair as it implies disinterest and boredom in the topic of discussion.  

Heather believes that the organization of your desk reflects the organization of one’s mind. A messy desk reflects the cluttered mind of the individual and a struggle to manage workload appropriately; a neat desk however, portrays the image of an organized and neat individual.

Arriving on time to scheduled appointments and meetings shows fellow colleagues that you respect their time and their contributions to the appointment. If you were to have the bad habit of arriving late majority of the time, it entails that you do not respect others’ time and jobs since they always have to wait on you.

Therefore, bringing awareness of nonverbal communication can promote teamwork and increase the productivity of any workplace.

From waitressing to teaching, I’ve had my share of productivity issues and I noticed that the productivity of the workplace really depends on the body language and vibes that each employee gives off. Making eye contact forms a type of bond between the speaker and recipient that results in a form of respect. If I needed to ask a superior for help in the office, I would approach the individual who has a neat desk and who is attentively propped up in their chair working away; this gives me the security that the person I’m about to ask for help is knowledgeable, hard-working, and reliable. Lastly, I’m the type of person who always likes to be early as it is a huge pet peeve of mine when I have to wait for late comers.

Try out these forms of nonverbal communication whenever you get a chance!

  

Did this enhance the productivity and atmosphere of your workplace?

SOURCE:

Wanish-Rothbauer, Heather. “Nonverbal Communication in the Workplace”. Web. 27 Mar 2009. <http://suite101.com/article/nonverbal-communication-in-the-workplace-a105458>.