Head movements and tones of voice are forms of nonverbal communication. Sometimes people use their head movements and voices to say things that aren’t in their words.
For example, when Shannon’s friend Taher lost his job, Shannon asked him how he was doing. Taher said, “I’m ok,” while moving his head up and down and using a confident voice, and Shannon knew that he was doing well at that time. Later that month, Taher confided that he hadn’t gotten any interviews while searching for a new job. When Shannon asked him how he was doing, he said, “I’m ok,” while tilting his head side to side and using a questioning voice.
Shannon now knew that her friend was struggling. Even though Taher’s words (“I’m ok”) were the same both times, his nonverbal communication (head movements and voice, in this example) gave Shannon extra, important information.
For example, when Shannon’s friend Taher lost his job, Shannon asked him how he was doing. Taher said, “I’m ok,” while moving his head up and down and using a confident voice, and Shannon knew that he was doing well at that time. Later that month, Taher confided that he hadn’t gotten any interviews while searching for a new job. When Shannon asked him how he was doing, he said, “I’m ok,” while tilting his head side to side and using a questioning voice.
Shannon now knew that her friend was struggling. Even though Taher’s words (“I’m ok”) were the same both times, his nonverbal communication (head movements and voice, in this example) gave Shannon extra, important information.
