Nonverbal Communication Styles

Nonverbal communication occurs anytime one person conveys a message to another person without using written or spoken language. Styles of nonverbal communication can be as unique as a fingerprint. Many factors throughout your life, including your family and education, your gender and appearance and your attitudes and beliefs, shape how you communicate nonverbally. Even your cultural and ethnic background influence how you communicate nonverbally with those around you. While a few common styles of nonverbal communication exist, your own style of nonverbal communication will always have unique, distinctive elements, and will continue to change throughout your life.

Assertive

A number of factors, including posture, facial and vocal expressions, characterize the assertive style of nonverbal communication. Most assertive individuals will sit or stand with straight posture, and they may even have a tendency to sit on the edge of their chairs. They often will have clear, direct facial expressions, such as a smile, when greeting someone, or a frown when angry. They also will usually make direct eye contact with other people, though Ronald B. Adler and Jeanne Marquardt Elmhorst, in “Communicating at Work,” explain that eye contact will vary among cultures. Assertive individuals often have energetic voices, potentially speaking faster and louder than those around them. Another aspect of assertive styles of nonverbal communication is that of interpersonal space. An assertive individual may stand or sit in closer physical proximity than may be comfortable for those around him.

Expressive

Though expressive nonverbal communication styles share some similarities with assertive styles, a variety of physical and vocal behaviors distinguish expressive styles. More expressive individuals often communicate their emotions openly, such as crying when they are unhappy, and yelling when they are angry. They sometimes will have high physical energy, and they may frequently hug, embrace and touch those around them. They will often express enthusiasm for ideas through exclamations and other vocal expressions, like raising their voice and talking faster. In social and business situations, they may frequently contribute to conversations, and use expressive physical gestures and movements, such as “talking” with their hands. Isa N. Engleberg and Dianna R. Wynn, in “Working in Groups,” explain that gestures are “one of the most animated forms” of nonverbal communication, and that they help to express moods and emotions.

Reserved

The absence of some nonverbal behaviors, such as facial and vocal expressions, often characterizes the reserved style of nonverbal communication. More reserved individuals often express less emotion and engagement than they actually experience or feel. Instead, they may maintain a calm look and an unemotional tone, regardless of what they are thinking and feeling. Reserved individuals also may make less direct eye contact with other people, and sometimes even purposefully avoid eye contact in uncomfortable or unfamiliar situations, such as at a new job or in a large crowd. Adler and Elmhorst, however, explain that the degree of eye contact can have a number of possible meanings, depending on the individual involved. In addition, more reserved individuals will rarely use expressive or animated gestures to accompany their conversation, and they frequently will maintain greater interpersonal distance between themselves and other people.