| He, who knows, does not speak. He, who speaks, | | | | acceptance. He's not asking for an immediate answer |
| does not know." -Lao Tzu | | | | or decision, regarding your interest, giving you enough |
| Fundamentally, communication is expressed in verbal | | | | time to study it. However, your first impression of |
| form. The conveyor, or he or she that is expressing, | | | | the proposal is somewhat of an inclination to reject it. |
| talks or writes while the recipient listens to or reads | | | | Your core reason is that you are not familiar with the |
| the transfer. However, there is another form of | | | | line of business he's proposing, and to swim in |
| communication based on gestures or body | | | | unfamiliar water simply does not interest you. |
| movements. This art of non-verbal communication is | | | | But in spite of your negative perception of the |
| better known as body language. | | | | proposal, you don't want to disappoint your former |
| Although spoken communication is the more direct | | | | colleague, at least not yet. Before you give the final |
| way to convey a message or point of view, it can | | | | word that you will seriously study the proposal, you |
| be masked. In body language, the message can be | | | | make some initial comments about it to the tune that |
| conveyed in a truer sense or form. However, this | | | | it may seem to merit your approval although it really |
| depends on the interpretation of the recipient of the | | | | does not. While you are making your comment, again |
| message. How we interpret as individuals is based | | | | subconsciously, you touch your nose with one hand |
| specifically on our experiences. | | | | while talking. |
| Anthony Robbins once said, and I quote... "To | | | | It's observed that during the entirety of your |
| effectively communicate, we must realize that we | | | | discussion, you frequently made one move, touching |
| are all different in the way we perceive the world | | | | your nose. Are you aware that touching your nose is |
| and use this understanding as a guide to our | | | | a gesture that means you're not saying what you |
| communication with others." | | | | really felt or meant? Studies suggest that saying |
| With that said, it is imperative to disseminate and | | | | something while touching the nose is not reflective of |
| bring into light this art of non-verbal communication. | | | | what's being said. In this case, rubbing the nose is |
| How a message is interpreted, correctly or wrongly, | | | | tantamount to disapproval of the proposal presented |
| may have drastic, dramatic and perhaps even life | | | | to you. |
| altering implications. | | | | This is just on scenario, because we all see things |
| It is far easier to see what one is saying, than it is to | | | | from our own unique perspective, each of us all |
| just hear what they are saying. | | | | respond to stimuli differently. |
| For funs sake, let's pick a simple scenario to illustrate | | | | Okay so... Here's something that I have seen time |
| non-verbal communication. Let us say a former | | | | and time again. |
| colleague of yours calls you to propose a business | | | | Literally, every time I see both Kevin Costner and |
| partnership. This colleague is just a casual | | | | Mel Gibson being interviewed, they are hysterically |
| acquaintance. He's not exactly a confidant whom you | | | | picking their ears and frantically rubbing their noses, |
| would refer to as a close buddy. He has asked that | | | | now tell me I'm reading to much into it, but it seems |
| the two of you meet somewhere and you politely | | | | to me that they are either bored to tears, |
| oblige. So you wind up meeting him in a coffee shop. | | | | completely uninterested in the interview or they are |
| After the usual handshake (this is one type of body | | | | absolutely oblivious to this fact. It is hard for me to |
| language), both of you take a seat and order a cup | | | | believe that after all these years and countless |
| of green tea. After a few exchanges of pleasantries | | | | interviews that they are oblivious to anything, so...you |
| and engaging in a little small-talk, you touch on the | | | | be the judge. |
| subject of the business proposal. While in the process | | | | Although there is no definite basis that these specific |
| of presenting the proposed business, you occasionally | | | | gestures of these two mega-successful stars are a |
| interrupt him with questions that he readily answers. | | | | sign of anything other than random physical |
| Subconsciously, while you continue to listen to his | | | | movements, the art of body language does exist and |
| proposal, you keep touching your nose with your | | | | for the most part is quite easy to identify. But, In |
| index finger, rubbing it once in a while as if covering | | | | reality anything could be going on, only the one |
| the nose with your hand. | | | | expressing such gestures knows for sure...or do |
| After the proposal has been made, he asks for any | | | | they? |
| questions or comments, if his proposal merits your | | | | |