Demonstrative Communication

Demonstrative communication involves facial expressions, an individuals tone, gestures, as well as an individuals general demeanor. A persons actions and tone may not always demonstrate an individuals true character or attitude at a particular time; in fact, relying on any facial expression or tone when speaking to an audience, actually causes a miscommunication of the message, as well as a misunderstanding of an individuals character/beliefs.

For example, an owner’s character may be predetermined to be upset or angered if he/she has a scowl or stressed voice. As a new employee, if an individual meets the owner for the first time and he/she seems agitated, stressed, or harsh, this outward demeanor may not illustrate the owner’s inner thoughts of the employee or the particular situation. However, the employee may think the owner to be upset about the direct situation.

Owners of large as well as smaller companies have responsibilities; owners are responsible for taxes, payroll, the general quality of a product or service, as well as finding individual’s that he/she is able to trust. An owner may become stressed or agitated simply finding employees that he/she is able to trust. An owner must trust his/her managers; the owner must trust that his/her managers will make proper decisions that will have a positive impact on the business.

In the particular situation of an initial meeting between an owner and an employee, the employee may be unaware of an owner’s previous conversation or day; while the owner may not necessarily be upset with the situation of meeting, the new employees, because of the owner’s demeanor, may believe the owner to be upset and agitated.

Something as simple as an unconnected facial expression has the ability to change an entire conversation; events unconnected to the current conversation may alter the message. Demonstrative communication involves facial expressions, gestures, as well as other visual/audible keys that may be misunderstood and interpreted incorrectly. Demonstrative communication factors may mislead the receiver of a message positively or negatively; oftentimes, unknown by the sender of the message.

Demonstrative communication, in this particular situation is ineffective because visual and audible key/signals such as facial expressions, possible gestures such as the owner holding his/her temples, as well as the possibility of the owner’s tone being stressed, all communicate that they owner of the business is upset, which may be completely the opposite of the true feelings of the owner, in reference to this initial meeting.

On the other side of the spectrum, the owner should be more in control of his/her outward emotions by being more aware of his/her facial expressions, gesture, as well as body language. Simple gestures such as a smile, uncrossed arms, as well as not paying attention to a watch, shows the receiver of the message that the sender is comfortable, calm, and wants to be in the conversation. A speaker should be aware of his/her outer demeanor; otherwise, his/her message may be misinterpreted.

Receivers of messages should also be aware of their body language, hand gestures, as well as tone. For example, if the receiver of a message has his/her arms crossed and is slouched down in their seat, the speaker may interpret this as the receiver is uninterested or unimpressed by the message. In addition, if an individual is in an interview or on a date and is interested in what the other party has to offer, then signals such as constantly looking at a watch, not making eye contact, or arms crossed may be interpreted as being uninterested, which may be the complete opposite of the other party’s intentions or feelings about the meeting.

Gestures, body language, facial expressions, as well as eye contact will all have a major impact on how an individual’s message is received; in addition, these actions all have an impact on how an individual is perceived. Speakers as well as audiences should be aware of their demeanor while either delivering or receiving a message. Actions such as body language and gestures have a profound effect on first dates, interviews, debates, as well as on the audience of speakers, and vice-versa.

Both the receiver and sender of a message should be aware that words are not the only keys/signals in which either a message or individual is perceived, both sender and receiver should be aware of their outward actions, gestures, as well as facial expressions when delivering a message as well as receiving a message. Being aware may be the difference between a positive or negative reception of a message.