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Practicing Nonverbal Communication

Like anything else you desire to learn, you will have to practice consciously adding nonverbal elements to your daily communication. Take it one day at a time. Practice one skill a week—study it, practice it, and begin to own it.

Nonverbal

Exercise

Practice

Chapter 3, Gestures of Relationship

With a friend use the palm up, sideways palm, and the down palm gesture, with one arm and then both arms. Now, reverse and have your friend do the gestures toward you while you observe.

How does it make you feel to do each gesture?

How does it feel to receive each gesture?

How did your friend feel receiving each gesture?

Chapter 4, Gestures of Location

With a friend practice gesturing to a location while giving bad news using the palm up, sideways palm, and the palm down, with one arm and then both arms. Now, reverse and have your friend do the gestures toward you while you observe.

How does it feel to do each gesture?

How does it feel to view each gesture?

How did your friend feel receiving each gesture?

Chapter 5, Gestures That Teach

Think of several gestures that you would use to teach someone about something you know how to do. Remember to start on your right, as if the viewer across from you sees the mirror image.

Practice with a friend or view in a mirror.

Were you able to keep it systematic and consistent?

Ask your friend for feedback.

Chapter 6, Gestures of Expectation and Influence

Use the three arm positions for self-confidence and the five ...

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