Non-verbal communication influences the way a message is received and functions in at least five different ways. Read the following scenario, and identify the most appropriate form of non-verbal communication to use. You are meeting with a new customer for the first time in person. This customer had a negative experience with one of your company’s competitors, and you want to communicate to the customer that you are honest and trustworthy. What form of non-verbal communication will serve you best?
A. Smiling
B. Standing far away
C. Sustained eye contact
Non-verbal communication sends powerful messages through body language and facial expressions. Our work space arrangement also sends nonverbal messages to others. In the following situation, consider what the intern is conveying non-verbally.
After preparing a project development agenda, the office manager prepares a conference room for the meeting. She places a circular table in the center of the room and surrounds it with comfortable chairs. What message is the office manager expressing non-verbally?
A. She wishes to promote open communication.
B. She wishes to discourage communication.
C. She wishes to set up a clear hierarchy.
Document appearance can have either positive or negative effects on how an audience receives a message.
In the following situation, consider what message is being conveyed non-verbally through document appearance.
Nathan is hiring a summer intern to assist him in launching a new marketing campaign. He opens a letter of introduction from one applicant and notices three misspellings in the first sentence. Additionally, Nathan notes that while the applicant seems to have the necessary experience, he has not formatted his letter of introduction in a professional manner. What message is the internship applicant expressing non-verbally?
A. He is very interested in the summer internship.
B. He is well qualified but too busy to be bothered with formatting.
C. He is not very professional and is not interested in the job.