Volunteering Australia Inc
CHCNET1C Participate in Networks
Make Effective Use of Relevant Networks - Section 2
45
Using non-verbal communication
Non-verbal communication can be positive (good) or negative (poor). It is
therefore important that you are aware of the non-verbal signs you are
communicating and try to keep them positive. This is not always easy as non-
verbal communication can have different meanings depending on your cultural
background.
Positive non-verbal communication
When you are passing on verbal messages face to face try to use non-verbal
communication that is considered polite and friendly. Positive non-verbal
communication can help you to communicate what you mean. It can also help
you understand what another person means.
Here is some non-verbal communication that is considered polite when you are
meeting someone:
·
face the person you are speaking to
·
keep eye contact
·
smile
·
have a good posture
·
stay at an acceptable distance from the person you are speaking to
·
listen carefully to what they are saying.
Negative non-verbal communication
You need to be aware that you can offend others unintentionally. A gesture seen
as polite in some cultures may be viewed as rude in others. For example, in some
cultures people shake their heads when they mean `yes' and nod when they mean
`no', which is exactly the opposite of what Australians do. Some body language
sends signals that we don't intend. For example, making eye contact when you
are talking to someone is generally considered polite in Australia. However, it is
difficult for people who come from cultures where it is a sign of respect not to
make eye contact. If this is the case, then it might be a skill you have to practise
for those situations where you need to make eye contact.
Summary :
Volunteering Australia Inc CHCNET1C Participate in Networks Make Effective Use of Relevant Networks - Section 2 45 Using non-verbal communication Non-verbal communication can be positive (good) or negative (poor). Here is some non-verbal communication that is considered polite when you are meeting someone: · face the person you are speaking to · keep eye contact · smile · have a good posture · stay at an acceptable distance from the person you are speaking to · listen carefully to what they are saying.
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communication,nonerbal,positie,polite,some,eye,contact,considered,person,cultures,hae,make,mean