College Discussion Board Post

There was a time when kinesics, one of the categories of nonverbal cues, caused a misinterpretation of a message in a professional setting. I was attending a business meeting where a colleague was delivering a presentation. As they spoke, they crossed their arms tightly across their chest and maintained a serious facial expression. Based on my understanding of kinesics, I interpreted these nonverbal cues as a sign of defensiveness or disagreement with the ideas being presented. Consequently, I assumed that my colleague had reservations about the proposed plan. However, after the meeting, I discovered that their nonverbal behavior was a result of feeling cold in the room and trying to maintain warmth and comfort (Knapp & Hall, 2014). To avoid misinterpreting nonverbal cues in similar situations in the future, I would take the following steps. Firstly, I would remind myself to consider the context and individual differences. Nonverbal cues can vary in meaning across different cultures, personalities, and situations. It is crucial to approach the interpretation of nonverbal behavior with an open mind and not make hasty assumptions. Secondly, I would strive for active observation and engagement. By actively observing a person's nonverbal cues while also being present in the conversation, I can better understand the interplay between verbal and nonverbal communication. This would involve paying attention to a person's body language, facial expressions, and gestures while also listening to their words. In addition, I would seek clarification through verbal communication. If I notice nonverbal cues that seem ambiguous or contradictory to the spoken message, I would politely ask the person for clarification. Open-ended questions such as "How are you feeling about this?" or "Is there something you'd like to add?" can provide an opportunity for the person to express their thoughts or feelings more explicitly. By actively engaging in communication and seeking clarification, I can ensure a more accurate understanding of the intended message, thus minimizing misinterpretations (Givens, 2017). References: Givens, D. B. (2017). Love signals: A practical field guide to the body language of courtship. St. Martin's Press. Knapp, M. L., & Hall, J. A. (2014). Nonverbal communication in human interaction. Cengage Learning.