Any discussion of communication skills must include attention to body language—your voice, gestures, and visual presence—and the impact it has on the communication process.
Knowing how to use body language is a useful communication skill. So is knowing how to read it. Body language is important regardless of whether you are speaking or listening.
Let’s assume that you are portraying a manager in a movie. How would you be perceived by those watching the video if you spoke in a whiny voice; a raspy, harsh tone; or a high-pitched, rapid, quivering voice? Certainly, you wouldn’t come across as someone credible, capable, thoughtful, or caring—all characteristics of an outstanding manager.
If you stooped over, you would seem to lack self-confidence, even if you don’t. When you toy with the papers on your desk, an employee might think you weren’t interested in his idea, regardless of what you say about being interested. If you cross your hands and feet, your body language may be telling the employee that you aren’t interested in anyone’s ideas but your own. Verbal communication accounts for only about 7 percent of the meaning others will extract from your words. More important is the remaining 93 percent accounted for by intonation, inflection, pitch, emphasis, speed, volume, body posture, gestures, and use of personal space.