Week 2 - Assignment

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Actions speak louder than words”? This week, you more closely evaluate your nonverbal communication styles. 

Nonverbal is, in many ways, a more graphic form of communication than verbal. Facial movements, gazing and staring, hand gestures, and body position can tell someone more about how you are feeling and thinking than your words. You should be aware of the variety of nonverbal cues and understand how they influence communication.

Nonverbal communication, especially in business situations, can be quite delicate. Stylistic differences across cultural and gender lines, for example, may cause communication to become more difficult if you are not aware of what cues to look for and avoid. Ineffective nonverbal communication might cause misinterpretations that could damage reputations and inflame situations unnecessarily. Based on what you have read, how do you communicate? What nonverbal styles do you use? 

In this Application Assignment, you analyze your personal nonverbal communication styles.

To prepare:

·       Consider your own communication style and cultural background (I am a female in my 40’s with a strong British and Caribbean culture.)

·       Consider how your nonverbal behaviors influence your communication with others. 

Assignment - With these thoughts in mind:

Write an essay in APA format of at least 300 words providing 2–3 examples of your nonverbal styles. Use the Learning Resources below as a guide. Include how understanding nonverbal behaviors influences communication in your professional and personal life.

Learning Resources and References

·       McLean, S. (2016). Business relationships across cultures.  Boston: Flat World Knowledge Publishers. 

o   Chapter 6, “Nonverbal Communication Across Cultures ” This chapter defines the many ways that individuals communicate nonverbally. It reveals some misconceptions often held about nonverbal communication, along with some of the functions of nonverbal behavior. In addition, this chapter examines different nonverbal abilities and how a good knowledge of nonverbal communication can help in understanding deception and in enhancing communication performance.

·       Duck, S., & McMahon, D. T. (2008). The basics of communication: A relational perspective (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publishing USA.The Basics of Communication: A Relational Perspective by Steve Duck and David T. McMahon. Copyright 2009 by Sage Publications. Reprinted with permission of Sage Publications via the Copyright Clearance Center.

o   Chapter 5, “Identities and Perceptions” (pp. 101–131)Chapter 5 asks the deceptively complex question, “Who are you?” It discusses self-concept and how identity is expressed and defined by interactions with others.

·       Mind Tools. (n.d.). The Johari Window: Using self-discovery and communication to build trust. Retrieved from http://www.mindtools.com/CommSkll/JohariWindow.htm

·       Newstrom, J. W., & Rubenfeld, S. A. (1983). The Johari Window: A reconceptualization. Developments in Business Simulations and Experiential Exercises, 10, 117–120. Retrieved from https://journals.tdl.org/absel/index.php/absel/article/download/2298/2267