Visual and Nonverbal

Communication

Chapter 10 | Business Communication | BBS II Year | TU

Objectives
Realize the importance of visual and nonverbal communication in the workplace,

Identify the types of visual and nonverbal communication,

Understand the meanings of common forms of body language,

Learn to use charts, graphics, and images to present data and information, and 

Design effective visuals, slides and texts.

Lead-in
How Fortune Tellers Know So Much
Barbara Pease and Allan Pease
Nonverbal Communication
Nonverbal communication is the transfer of information
through the use of body language including eye contact,
facial expressions, gestures and more. For example, smiling
when you meet someone conveys friendliness, acceptance
and openness.

Nonverbal communication is every method you can use to

send messages that does not involve words. Nonverbal
communication is something you use every time you
interact with someone, whether you notice it or not.
 Examples
1. Body language
Example: Someone might cross their arms if they are feeling
angry or nervous.
2. Movement
Example: Sitting still and paying attention in a meeting conveys
respect and attention.
3. Posture
Example: Someone might slouch their shoulders if they feel
tired, frustrated or disappointed.
4. Gestures
Example: Someone might display a “thumbs up” to
communicate confirmation or that they feel positive about
something.
5. Space
Example: You might stand two to three feet away from a new
contact to respect their boundaries.
6. Paralanguage

Example: You might speak quickly if you are excited about something.

7. Facial expressions

Example: Someone might raise their eyebrows and open their eyes widely if they feel surprised.

8. Eye contact

Example: Looking away from someone and at the ground or your phone may convey disinterest or
disrespect.

9. Touch

Example: Placing your hand on a friend’s shoulder may convey support or empathy

Why is nonverbal communication
important?

Nonverbal communication is
important because it gives us
Paying attention to and developing
valuable information about a
the ability to read nonverbal
situation including how a person
communications is an invaluable
might be feeling, how someone
skill you can leverage at every
receives information and how to
stage of your career.
approach a person or group of
people.
Why nonverbal supports your
communication? message

deescalates communicates
tension messages

indicates a shows
desired action intention 

showcases your conveys

personality  feelings 

offers support 
Types of Nonverbal Communication
Facial Body
Gestures
Expressions  Movements

Postures Paralanguage Proxemics

Haptics
Eye Contact
(touch)
Facial Expressions
The movement, contortion and expressiveness of our face

Reflection of the emotions and attitude we carry towards the

message and the audience

In-built images of specific facial expressions—emojis

Allow us to clearly understand meaning of the message, and

understand the true intent of the message.

Example: Someone might raise their eyebrows and open their

eyes widely if they feel surprised
 The movements of body parts, especially the head or hands that
people use to express an idea or meaning.

Stretching our hands and smiling (Welcoming)

Clenched fist (anger or strong belief)

A raised finger (a threat or challenge)

Gestures

A tilted head leaning forward (genuine interest)

Palm-holding face position (extreme anger and lack of interest)

Gestures and their Meanings
• Standing with hands on waist
• Aggression
• Sitting with legs crossed, foot kicking slightly
• Boredom/uninterested
• Arms crossed in chest
• Defensive or cold attitude
• Rubbing hands
• Anticipation, excitement
• Open palm
• Sincerity, genuine
• Looking down, face turned away
• Disbelief, ignoring
Body Movements and their Meanings
Moving our body or parts of our body voluntarily or involuntarily
• Shoulder shrug
• 'I don't know' or 'I don't care'
• Palm rub
• 'I'm excited' or ' I'm happy'
• The mouth guard (hand covering the mouth and thumb
pressed against the cheek)
• 'I'm trying to hide something' or 'I'm telling you a lie.'
• Neck scratch (index finger scratching below the earlobe)
• 'I'm not sure' or 'I'm confused'
 Postures
The way we hold ourselves in a certain position

Open or closed body postures

Leaning forward while talking to somebody (interested and eager)

Leaning backward (lack of interest and motivation)

Slouching body posture (passivity and tiredness)

Erect or upright posture (energy and assertiveness)

 The way we
modulate our
voice, intonation
Low or slow pace
and stress,
and frequent
including the use
pauses (sadness)
of silences,
pauses, loudness
and noise.
Paralanguage

A high-pitched or
Repetition, stress
raised voice
and a loud voice
(urgency and a call
(emphasis)
for attention)
 Maintaining space around us while communicating (how close or far)

Spatial relationship we maintain

Intimate zone

Proxemic
s Personal zone

Social zone

Public zone
 Building rapport with the audience

Revealing our emotions and feelings towards the

person at the moment

Appropriate amount of eye contact (control over the

Eye contact audience and receiving instant feedback)

Too much eye contact (aggressive and dominant

behavior)

Too little or no eye contact ( not paying attention or

even being shy)
Haptic Communication

Our
touching Patting Handshakes
behavior
Guidelines for Effective Nonverbal Communication
While Speaking...

Make Use Use Pay Sit or stand Consider Maintain Show

Make good eye Use a positive Use appropriate Pay attention to Sit or Consider the Maintain, and Show emotional
contact to build tone of voice— gestures, and nonverbal stand upright, context of respect the control and stay
trust, and get friendly, affable, body language signals the and avoid communication personal space positive.
the audience respectful. but avoid being audience is slouching. —whether it is of your
interested. too dramatic. providing and formal, audience.
try to match up informal, official
with them. , or familiar.
While Listening...

Pay Show Give Ask Be Avoid While

Pay attention to Show interest by Give constant Ask questions to Be aware of Avoid interrupting, While asking a
nonverbal cues as slightly leaning feedback both with engage with the the context— and completing the question,
they convey a forward words, and speaker and clarify formal, informal or speaker's appreciate what
wealth nonverbal cues. the message. familiar. sentences you understood,
of information while he or she is and then ask what
about the speaker, talking. you want to know
intended message, more about.
and background.
Visual Communication
Types or Forms of Visual Communication
Signs and
Objects

Table and
Infographics
Line Charts

Drawings, Bar Charts

Photographs, and
and Maps Pictographs

Pie Charts
and
Flowcharts
 Importance of
Visual Compelling
Engaging
Accessible
Promoting
to a and
and
wide
brandtime-saving
persuasive
range
image
of audience
Eliciting
Credible
immediate
and accurate
responses
Communication Clarity
 Guidelines for Effective Visual Communication

Careful selection Focus on colors Use familiar Organize visual Add variety to
and fonts images visual
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