Impacts of Non-Verbal Communication

 The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Qatar Chapter hosted a webinar on the importance of Soft Skills for professional growth. Nisha Shivram presented the training session titled 'the impact of non-verbal communication.'

Nisha Shivram is a certified trainer, Associate NLP Practitioner, transformational Coach, and Speaker. She has been adjudged as one of the top 28 speakers globally by Toastmasters International in 2019. Nisha Shivram was the semi-finalist of the World Champion Of Public Speaking 2021. With a rich clientele, Nisha can boast of working with a diverse audience. 

"Non-verbal communication is the language of your body. The body language consists of 55% body movements, face, and arms, 38% voice and tone, and only 7% are words. Hence what you don't say counts a lot. You must learn how to speak effectively through your body. For Auditors, it is an indispensable tool to do well," Nisha emphasized.

In Nisha Shivram's words, body language is the most important yet the most neglected aspect of communication. She described how frauds could be identified and stopped by paying attention to body cues. 

Body language consists of posture, Gestures, Body movement, Facial expressions, and Eye contact. The Do's and Dont's were elaborated: 'As Tongue Speaks to the Ear, Gesture speaks to the Eye' He speaks not, yet there lies a conversation in his eyes! Nisha warned, "Beware, Body language is more truthful in revealing your true feelings."

"We indulge in non-verbal communication many times without even realizing it. Non-verbal communication could be signals, expressions, gestures, etc., to demonstrate different emotions from acceptance to even rejection and vary from culture to culture. And while it could add a lot of meaning over a verbal expression, sometimes the way we use nonverbal communication at our workplace could also impact our professional life," Nisha said.

She elucidated how professionals can make use of intentional body mannerisms to become better communicators. The presenter distinctly explained the significance of gestures, eye contact and facial expressions in communication. 

"As internal auditors, we come across different ways of communication. While we are observant of all of them, sometimes understanding the meaning behind these communications is vital to conducting our work efficiently and effectively—one of them being non-verbal communication. Soft skills are today's hard skills. Communication skill is one of the top-ranked leadership skills for auditors as per the IIA. 'Impacts of non-verbal communication' is something we will never know unless we learn from an expert," stated Sundaresan Rajeswar, Board member of the IIA Doha Chapter

Christian Adonis, who closed the meeting, appreciated the key learning from the session that consisted of  Types of Body language, the Importance of Intentional & Unintentional Body Language, and How to have the right body language to make an impact

IIA Chapter Member Muralikrishna hosted the session, and Girish Jain introduced the speaker. Sundaresan Rajeswar gave opening remarks and handled the Q&A session. Aisha Rafeeque coordinated the event.