The challenge of nonverbal communication in teleworking

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During isolation, verbal language has gained increased importance for efficient communication. However, it is not only what is said that matters, but also how it is said, and it is from this perspective that non-verbal communication, inherent to human beings, leads to the greatest challenges in times when telemeetings are the trend.

The change in habits and routines, driven by an unexpected pandemic, has plunged us into an almost entirely virtual world for which the digital age was already prepared. But this was not the way any of us wanted or idealized.

Teleworking was the most viable solution found by many companies that were inevitably forced to readapt their business models and work processes to respond to this new context . Telemeetings became the means used to communicate with different coworkers and teams within an organization. While this interaction has positive aspects in terms of restructuring processes and facilitating remote communication, on the other hand it can be the guiding principle for a certain level of relaxation.

Nonverbal communication
As time goes by, the tendency to relax and adapt our behavior to the kazakhstan whatsapp number database is increasing. And the truth is that this situation, which has confined each of us to our homes, has everything to make us careless. However, if there is one thing that cannot be neglected, it is nonverbal communication . This type of language is older than verbal language itself and, although the world has changed, the way we communicate through nonverbal communication is basically the same.

We often trivialize the way we communicate and, when we want to be well understood and assertive, our concern focuses on what we say and not so much on how we say it and how we are, unconsciously, communicating non-verbally or through our bodies. The important thing to understand is that the body reveals what is behind the words .

The previous statement is supported by a practically universal fact: human beings are programmed, from birth, to decipher certain traits that allow us to conclude that a given individual is happy, sad, upset or scared, for example.

Types of nonverbal language
Based on this assumption, there are essentially 4 major types of nonverbal language:

1. Paralanguage
The sounds made when communicating and that are not part of our vocabulary, from the tone of voice to the pauses between words or sentences;

2. Proxemics
The surrounding space and the way in which the communicator uses it, such as the proximity or distance between two or more interlocutors. This may be conditioned by several factors: cultural, characteristics of the individuals themselves or level of familiarity;

3. Kinesics
All movements/actions performed with the body - body language. Includes any type of facial expressions, gestures or body posture.

Facial expressions : They are an inseparable part of our communication. They are universal and we know, even if unconsciously, the facial expressions that accompany emotions, such as happiness or fear;
Gestures : These are intentional movements used to communicate without words, which can be, for example, pointing or waving, or unintentional, such as the way we place our hands when talking;
Body Posture : This is the most subtle form of communication and is often difficult to interpret with the naked eye or in real time.
4. Physical Characteristics
This is divided into two: the interlocutor's artifacts and the surrounding artifacts. The first refers to clothing choices (and their color) and any other factor that affects appearance. The second refers to all the objects that can be used as tools to influence, even unconsciously, the perception of a given individual.

It is important to understand that these elements occur at all times during communication and cannot simply be switched off. They are inherent to communication and, to this end, their existence must be acknowledged and we must be constantly alert. This means that we need to understand that these elements can (and will) influence the way we are seen and how we perceive ourselves in order to avoid becoming complacent.