Body Language in Verbal Communication

Online Body Language
Robert Whipple, Consultant, United States, Member
There is a form of online body language. I call it "e-body language" and have written a book on it: 'Understanding E-Body Language: Building Trust Online'.

Understanding Body Language at Work is Hard
Prapagool Chiramakara, Director, Thailand, Member
I found that in the workplace people use very complicated styles in communication and it took me a very long time to observe & (really) understand.
To learn about people styles at work can help but not much in real life.

Body Language / Personas / Hand Gestures
Johan Bergstroem, HR Consultant, Sweden, Member
Big topic - there are many gestures you can use. Also people have different "personas" depending on where they are and who they are with.
Many gestures are cultural, so its perhaps best not to use them in an international context.
The angle of the chin, the eye contact, the shoulders, standing straight or as a sack of potatoes.
The hands can form different power symbols and can be used to underline points in spoken language.
In the western world, I suppose many hand gestures are derivatives of the (christian) priesthood's holy gestures?

Encoding and Decoding Body Language
GS RADJOU, CEO, France, Member
It is great! Particularly for those that are influenced by getting to know others through the visual communication channel.
Hopefully, not all communications are visual communications. Encoding (body language) matters as much as decoding (giving meaning and understanding to the message).

Body Language is Important in Verbal Communication
Waseem A. Nisar, Consultant, United States, Member
Body language plays an important role in verbal communication. Hands, facial expressions, eye contacts, postering (how one stands / sits while communicating) all deliver a message.
Also, keep in mind body language also depends a lot on cultural habits and norms.

Body Language can Result in Negative Reactions
geith salem, Consultant, Libya, Member
Body language is very effective in verbal communications but could lead to negative reaction if misinterpreted, so one should always be careful especially if one is in decision making position.

My Personal Use of Body Language
Roberta Rizzo, Project Manager, Ireland, Member
I'm very directly in personal communication: in general, I look in the eyes of my partner and I assume a strong posture. But I'm very kind and I put my partner at ease.

Is Eye Contact Most Important in Body Language?
Milin Desai, Manager, India, Member
@Johan Bergstroem: With all that Johan said, I believe direct eye contact is very important.
Also in certain situations it's better to communicate while standing.

Body Language Can Give an Exactly Opposite Meaning of what You Mean
LAKSHMAN PURIHELLA, Accountant, Saudi Arabia, Member
A speaker needs to concentrate so much on his/her body language. While speaking, enough care should be taken that nothing amuses him/her beyond relevance which would lead to distraction. Else the speaker is subjected to become a laughing stock.