List suggestions of how an individual can give out positive nonverbal signals. Give examples of positive nonverbal signals.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Student answers and examples will vary but should demonstrate an understanding of positive nonverbal signals.

To give positive nonverbal signals, first, use time appropriately. Do not keep your employees (or teammates or bosses!) waiting to see you. Devote sufficient time to your meetings with them and communicate frequently to show your interest in their concerns. Second, make your office arrangement conducive to open communication. A seating arrangement that avoids separation of people helps establish a warm, cooperative atmosphere (in contrast, an arrangement in which you sit behind your desk and your subordinate sits before you creates a more intimidating, authoritative environment). Third, remember your body language. Facial expression and tone of voice can account for much of the communication between two people.

Several nonverbal body signals convey a positive attitude toward the other person: assuming a position close to the person; gesturing frequently; maintaining eye contact; smiling; having an open body orientation, such as facing the other person directly; uncrossing the arms; and leaning forward to convey interest in what the other person is saying. To show confidence, managers (and employees, too) should make eye contact, use a firm handshake, dress professionally, and speak in an appropriate tone of voice. Silence is an interesting nonverbal signal. North Americans tend to talk to fill silences; Japanese allow long silences to develop, believing they can get to know people better. The need to use words implies a lack of understanding.