business communication Essays - Nonverbal Communication,

Having read the case studies and the 10 advanced business communication directions I have to admit that I increased my knowledge and understanding of the terms and concepts used in business communication. Still, based on my understanding I will strive to give several more recommendations to make the communication more effective some of which, if my memory does not fail me, were proposed in the 1930s by Dale Carnegie. 1.Simple Non-verbal communication. While it is impossible to master all non-verbal communication unless one is authentic (i.e. open, connected, passionate and attentive listener), it is possible to smile, to look in the eyes of others and overall look friendly. This non-verbal communication is especially important when establishing first contact and when people form their opinion of your as of a ?frowned (maybe angry) guy? or a ?friendly guy?. One can learn not to keep one?s arms and legs crossed, because it subconsciously makes the person look distant or defensive. 2.?The Map is not a Territory?. This metaphor illustrates the human differences and is used by psychologists around the world. There are dozens of different types of map, some can be in GPS, some can be in www.maps.google.com., and some can be printed out or pictured on TV. They can be of different colors, sizes, shapes. But even then they are not really the territory (which is larger, 3 dimensional, has a smell, different temperature, color, or feels differently). By the same token, one needs to understand that people are always different in their frames of references, judgment, ideas and perceptions. It has been my personal observation that people frequently have different perception of colors (especially men are different from women) of clothes, some considering those to be more blue, others considering it to be more green. In communication, one needs to remember that people are likely to have their own distinct visions and ideas, and it would be wrong to impose oneself on them an d negate their ideas and opinions. Instead of arguing whose ?map? better depicts the ?territory? of some ?country?, it is better to see how one can use two maps to form a much greater understanding of what they depict. 3.True interest and admiration. This idea might look to some as hypocritical because a person seems to be put in a position when she/he HAS to find something interesting and admirable about the other person. Still, there is nothing wrong in being a little bit more attentive to another person, especially if you want to establish communication with him/her. Looking for clues and details establishes rapport and deeper understanding of one another. In fact finding something that really interests you in another person or something that you can admire, characterizes you as an attentive listener and speaker. 4.Affecting emotions. Whatever people think or remember is thought to be stored as mental images and emotions. Our non-verbal and frequently verbal communication is affected by the emotions we experience at present. What is more important is that emotions can be controlled and used to achieve a certain (e.g. friendly) state. It is a common knowledge that if a person smiles to himself in a mirror for 10 minutes, his/her mood lifts up, making him/her happier and friendlier even though he/she was just exposed to his/her own smile (nothing more). Before communications and sometimes during it (if one can do it without losing track of communication) it is advisable to think of some bright past experiences, close friends, or even sex. As a result the person?s moods will lift up, making him/her happier, more relaxed and more communicative. Likewise, if one thinks about bad experiences and failures?one is likely to feel and look depressed. Since emotions affect our inner and external expressi on, it is advisable to not only affect one?s own emotions but also to affect the emotions of the other party by focusing on the positive things, on bright ideas, good memories and the other party?s interests. In this case the other party will also have positive emotions and become a more friendly and attentive listener.