In any encounter, small packets of information are exchanged continuously like a tennis volley. There a minute by minute variation of the information communicated, the underlying affect and the communication effectiveness. As we communicate, we transmit information admixed with microaggressions and microvalidations. The quality of communication is eroded with every microaggression and augmented by each microvalidation.
Communication comprises of both verbal and nonverbal information. Over 90% of the communication is nonverbal. Nonverbal communication is heavily contextual and is influenced by the culture of the communicator. Nonverbal behaviors include eye movements, body posture and movement, tone and cadence of of voice, use of touch, use of silence, use of space and use of artifacts. Skillful use of nonverbal communication can foster effective intercultural interactions.
Effective communication involves awareness and modulation of our microcommunication pattern on an ongoing basis.
