What Is Demonstrative Communication?

Demonstrative communication describes nonverbal and unwritten communication. This communication can be conveyed through facial expressions, tone of voice and body language. How the message is received can vary greatly depending on these factors. As cited in Lavan (2009) “about 55% of interpersonal messages are conveyed nonverbally”.

A positive experience is one where all parties feel at ease. When people are comfortable they are more receptive to the message. A speech about a charity will garner more support if the audience feels good about the speaker. A presenter who is neatly dressed and speaks with a friendly upbeat voice is very appealing. Walking around the stage keeps the listener following the speaker. Having eye contact also keeps the audience interested.

A negative experience would be a speaker who is unsure of the speech. If the speaker is uncomfortable, often that projects to the audience. They become uncomfortable as well. A person standing behind a dais looking down at their notes while talking is monotonous, and the message is lost.

Nonverbal communication can greatly affect how one is perceived in the workplace. In an interview setting these signals can have a positive or negative effect. A person walking into a room with a firm handshake with eye contact is more likely to be considered than someone who is just grabs a hand and does not look at the person while speaking. Sitting up straight and leaning into the person who is speaking is a positive cue that the listener is paying attention. Not making eye contact when answering questions could be considered non-assertive. This could lead to being passed over in favor of someone who looks at the speaker when responding to a question.

Humans res...

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...istener using their hands to signify they want the person to hurry up and say what they need to say. This lets the speaker know they want to get it over with so they can respond themselves and end the conversation. This can be devastating to a person who has worked hard at planning their message.

Tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language can sometimes say more than words. A scowl can put a stop to a conversation without saying a word. A smile and a nod can encourage the person to elaborate and continue. An awareness of body language and its impact are a benefit on a professional level. Being engaged and open is appealing and also knowing when to be serious is an attribute many companies seek.

Works Cited

Quintanilla, K., & Wahl, S. (2014). Business and Professional Communication: Keys for Workplace Excellence (2nd ed.). Los Angeles, CA: Sage.