Small Group Facilitation: Improving Process and Performance in Groups and Teams

Importance of Nonverbal Communication

“Nonverbal messages carry more weight than verbal messages” (Peltier & James, 2008, p. 62). Take for example the boss who tells subordinates to come into his office at any time but who leaves his door partially closed and has an irritated look on his face whenever someone knocks and comes in. Will people regularly come to that office? Or think about the various ways someone can say “Good job.” These positive words, said with a sarcastic tone, deliver just the opposite message. The importance of meaning garnered from nonverbal communication is one of the reasons for the use of email emoticons— : ) [smile]; : ( [frown]; ; ) [wink]. We all know that spoken words convey just part of a message.

As a facilitator, ...