Monthly Archives: March 2015

Non Verbal Communication: How much are u missing??

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Non Verbal Communication“Effective communication is 20% of what you say and 80% of what you make feel” – JIM ROHN

Non verbal Communication is extremely complex yet integral part of overall communication skills, usually, people are totally unaware of the non-verbal behavior they use. A basic awareness of Non Verbal communication strategies over and above can help to improve interaction with others. Knowledge of this can be used to encourage people to talk about their concerns and can lead to a greater understanding.

It includes facial expressions, tone of voice, body language and distance between communicators. It helps people in reinforcing what is said in words, convey information about their emotional state, provides feedback to other person, regulates the flow of communication and most importantly, defines the relationship between people.

Many people understand that non –verbal communication is mere a language that can be learned but the implications are that the real feelings and intentions of a person can’t be understood. Interpretation of non verbal language is not very easy. It is further complicated if the interpretation is not done accurately. It is complete package of expression, hand and eye movement, postures and gestures.

These are basically categorized as:

  • Body movements
  • Postures and gestures
  • Eye contact
  • Facial Expression
  • Personal space
  • Parallel Language

Body Movements:  It Includes hand and body movements. It can be used to reinforce what a person is saying and also offer information about the emotions and attitude of a person. There are different categories with which a skilled observer can detect such discrepancies in behavior and use them as a clue to what someone is really feeling. Consider how your perceptions of people are affected by the way they sit, walk, stand up, or hold their head. The way you move and carry yourself communicates a wealth of information to the world.

Postures and gestures: Postures can reflect person’s emotions, attitude and intentions. These are often unintentional moves which can conflict with what is being said sometimes. Gestures are also used to give feedback when conversing. Gestures are woven into the fabric of our daily lives. We wave, point, beckon, and use our hands when we’re arguing or speaking animatedly—expressing ourselves with gestures often without thinking. However, the meaning of gestures can be very different across cultures and regions, so it’s important to be careful to avoid misinterpretation

Eye Contact:  It is a very important aspect of non verbal language. Since the visual sense is dominant for most people, eye contact is an especially important type of nonverbal communication. The way you look at someone can communicate many things, including interest, affection, hostility, or attraction. Eye contact is also important in maintaining the flow of conversation and for gauging the other person’s response.It is used to give and receive Feedback, to let a person know when their turn to speak is. It is also used to communicate something about a relationship between people.

Facial Expressions: The human face is extremely expressive, able to express countless emotions without saying a word. And unlike some forms of nonverbal communication, facial expressions are universal. The facial expressions for happiness, sadness, anger, surprise, fear, and disgust are the same across cultures. When someone is talking, changes in the facial expressions can be easily noticed and people respond accordingly. These include raising your eyebrows, yawning, nodding, rolling your eyes, sneering, gaping etc.

Personal space: Have you ever noticed the way a loving couple relates to each other. You will see that their positions match as if they both are mirror reflection of each other. For eg: If one partner drapes his arm around others neck, the other partner will also do the same.  This indicates the trust and approval between people. Every culture has different levels of physical closeness depending upon the type of relationship.  It today’s society, it is important to consider non verbal codes.

Parallel language: It relates to the voice which is not the part of the verbal communication. It includes the tone and the pitch of the voice, the volume, the pauses, the hesitation and the speed. These signals indicate the feelings like sounds indicate anger etc. It’s not just what you say; it’s how you say it. When we speak, other people “read” our voices in addition to listening to our words. Things they pay attention to include your timing and pace, how loud you speak, your tone and inflection, and sounds that convey understanding, such as “ahh” and “uh-huh.” Think about how someone’s tone of voice, for example, can indicate sarcasm, anger, affection, or confidence

The effects of Nonverbal Communication can send a strong signal in spite of the words you use. It can

  • Repeat your message already delivered verbally.
  • Add to the meaning of your message which can either be positive or negative
  • Contradict to what you are saying

Relationships lot depends on the non verbal communication. The quality of your relationship can be improved if used skillfully or can deteriorate if used unwisely. Trust, care, love, respect can easily be communicated with nonverbal language.

Simply put, Non verbal communication includes all the ways you present and express yourself, apart from the words one speak. Non verbal messages are sent from ones emotional brain, they create more honest and concrete message.

Non verbal communication is effective for everybody in all spheres of life. To example some, Professionals use non verbal language to evaluate their clients, customers and co workers. In relationships success depends on the effective language used by both of them.

Effective non verbal communication is critically also very important in career advancements. It reveals your confidence, Enthusiasm and professionalism.

To Conclude, Good communication is foundation of any successful relationship. It is important to recognize that its non verbal communication that speak the boldest. The ability to understand and use effective non verbal communication is a powerful tool that can help you connect with others, express what to really mean and build better relationships.

“The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said” – Peter F. Drucker

Contributed by Shilpa Aggarwal Gupta ( Class of 2005, IBS HYDERABAD )

10 movies every MBA aspirant must see

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27-feb“All Study and no Fun will make jack a dull boy “is completely true saying for MBA students. Students aspiring for MBA’s often assume it to be a course of nightmare which if passed will give them handsome future. Many of them have heard the horrible stories of students only sleeping 5 hours a day which just bullshit. It’s actually a lot of fun too with practical experiences. They are given the chance to excel in whatever they are passionate about. Movies play a big role in their life; they act not only as an entertainer but also a great motivator and perception builder when one is too low or too bored. Some find solace; some find the lost laugh and some, the inspiration! Below is the listopedia of some of the movies that one must watch while preparing or doing the MBA course:

  1. Thank you for Smoking: A brilliant movie showcasing the power of soft skills and great pitch. It’s the story of Nick Naylor who is a tobacco lobbyist who with the power of his speech turns the table for the tobacco companies in their toughest situations and handling media converting problems into opportunities. Full entertainer!
  2. Ek Ruka hua faisla : An amazing movie that one can connect to the boardroom discussions. How can one man change the mind of the entire boardroom basis the power of reasoning? It’s a story of 12 men acting as a jury in the case of murder trial against a young boy. Out of twelve, eleven are convinced and found the boy guilty however one of them is doubtful and started putting questions on the floor taking it to an arousing level. Some may connect it with Hollywood movie “12 angry men” but this one taste good too. An exciting movie!
  3. Glengarry Glen Ross: Every industry faces the tough time in one of their course. This one is story of Chicago- Real Estate Office. Story revolves around five characters who are salesman and driven hard to sale the properties where the first prize is Cadillac and the third prize costing one’s job. An Eye opener for harsh sales life which still prevails in India.
  4. Guru: It’s a story of an aspiring entrepreneur who rises from the street of villages in Gujarat to becoming one of the biggest business tycoons. It has shown two sides of the man who indulges in corruption, lies and business politics as well right side being his handwork, willpower, positive attitude and persistence. A struggle many of the budding entrepreneurs will face too.
  5. Miracle: Based on a true story, it depicts the power of teamwork and compassion and how one man takes his time from nowhere to winning the game in the Olympics beating the best team in the world. For MBA students one could gauge it as creating a new team, challenges faced in putting them together and finally achieving the unachievable task. Later similar story happened in bollywood named as “Chak De” which was again a blockbuster.
  6. Rocket Singh: This movie is a story of many of us who dreams of starting its own company after some work experience at our jobs, however there is little diversion in this movie wherein our protagonist sees a gap in Post-sales services and understanding it as an opportunity starts his own company capturing the complete local market creating a brand of himself following the simple principles of life like honesty and getting the trust of customer. He does all this while working in similar company. An entertainer!
  7. Up in the Air: It’s a story of a private human resource consultant who is constantly on the run from one city to another firing people in good or bad way. It depicts his suitcase life which many of us aspire but also the loneliness which dwells within making our heart as poetic. The ironic part is that the he himself finds in the situation where his job is at stake. Quite an amazing movie showing the dark side of corporate one never wants to face.
  8. The Towering Inferno: It’s a story of a disaster happening in a building and how it is controlled with series of events unpredictable events happening. A classic case study on disaster management on how problems can knock on the doors unsaid and how with one’s courage, patience and acting right can help it curb it. Must watch for management students.   
  9. Wall Street: All the finance aspirants doing their MBA, this movie is a must watch. It’s a story of a stock trader who is more than willing to do anything in order jump up the ladder. He at one point is successful to achieve the top but then falls very steeply getting the lesson for the life. There are no shortcuts in life, even if it’s there, it’s not sustainable. This movie is followed by another sequel Wall Street: Money never sleeps which came after 23 years although was not as big hit as its former but this one had similar crux too.
  10. Lincoln: An amazing and true endeavor of the President Abraham Lincoln which made his name written in golden ink in the pages of the history. It’s the story of two wars, one, American Civil war which was spreading all over the America, majorly affecting the southern states and another war of Lincoln with his Congress Members convincing them ban slavery from United States. It’s a story of hardship, wit and wisdom how one man with his indomitable will convinces his counterparts leading them to pass a historic amendment that will change the world history. In organizations many times we feel it tough to impose that one idea getting friction from everywhere as people are averse to the change but when approached rightly can really make things work out. One thing our history has always taught us that the best ideas are always opposed initially and latter they have changed the picture.

 Hope this collection of movies add some value to our approached towards student, personal or professional lives that we live.

Contributed by Apurva Singhi (Class of 2011, IBS Hyderabad)