Types of Nonverbal Communication
in a Career Setting

Well, communicating is the main tool used when sharing your beliefs, needs, wants, and values with others. If you are unhappy with your career choice, chances are you're communicating this dissatisfaction with others in a verbal and nonverbal manner.

Does this sound familiar to you?

• "I haven't gotten a raise in years."
  

• "I don't understand why she was promoted before I was."
  

• "It seems the boss favors the new person. He rarely even notices me anymore."
  

Or maybe you have found yourself doing this:

• Gossiping!
  

• Not inviting the new person to lunch because you don't know them and they're not part of the gang.
  

• Not introducing yourself to someone because you assume they will be the first to introduce themselves. So you typically never meet.
  

• Complaining about the pay, the hours, the work, the boss, and your co-workers.
  

These are common examples of types of nonverbal communication used in a work setting along with types of verbal communication.

We typically express types of nonverbal communication through...

1.) Body Language

2.) Facial Expressions

3.) Hand Gestures

These expressions are either negative or positive, and the source is - you. You are either aware or unaware of how you're expressing yourself. Typically you are unaware.

So, when you are asking why you are not getting that promotion and why your co-workers talk about you behind your back...

Look at how you are communicating.

Here are some tips to help you get that promotion, raise, friends, and recognition you so much desire!

1.) Pay attention to your intentions!

What are you intending to accomplish in your career? Does your behavior match your motivations, dreams, desires, beliefs, values? Or is your behavior saying to others "Watch out for this girl. She is not an asset to our company!"

2.) Stay positive!

This is very important. It is easy to get sucked up in co-workers' negative "nonverbal" behavior. Don't allow yourself to get caught up in this. Stay focused on your positive intentions.

3.) Avoid Gossip

If you are going to gossip, make it about something positive. Push people up instead of putting them down! You can be genuinely happy for others because you are aware of your intentions and you are staying positive.

4.) Be clear about what you want and need.

If you truly want that promotion, stay focused on that.

5.) Honor yourself!

It will be clear to others when you truly honor yourself. Your intentions, needs, wants, and goals will be communicated to others in a verbal and nonverbal manner.

Pay attention to the types of nonverbal communication you express to others. This awareness will make a huge difference in your ability to get what you want and need out of your career.

Brandy Shirley is a mental health therapist who publishes the self improvement website, relationship-with-self.com. She writes about self awareness, building positive relationships and handling the impact of abuse.