Using Conversation Visual Cues

• Jun 12, 2023

Using Conversation Visual Cues

Visual cues play an essential role with individuals who may have trouble hearing. Spoken words may be challenging to comprehend. In these cases, visual cues provide important visual information that complements or replaces the auditory input.

Efforts to create a friendly and welcoming atmosphere are genuinely appreciated and valued. Here are some common conversation visual cues that you can use.

1 Facial Expression: The face is a powerful tool for self-expression. Facial expressions such as smiling, frowning, raising eyebrows, or wrinkling foreheads convey various emotions.

2 Eye Contact: Maintaining eye contact indicates attentiveness and engagement in a conversation. This shows that you are actively listening to the other person.

3 Body Language: Body movements and positions can communicate different messages.

•   Leaning forward may indicate interest, while leaning back may signify relaxation and disinterest.
•   Open and relaxed body posture generally reflects openness and communication.

4 Hand Gestures: Hand movements can add emphasis, clarify meaning, and provide visual cues. For example, pointing to something, waving goodbye, or using hand gestures to indicate size or quantity.

5 Nodding: Nodding the head up and down can signify agreement, understanding, or encouragement. This can indicate that you are actively listening and processing the information shared.

6 Posture: Posture while conversing can be a real game changer. Your posture can convey confidence or submissiveness.

•   Standing tall: reflects confidence.
•   Slouching and hunching: suggest disinterest or lack of confidence.

7 Proximity: Distance between individuals during conversation may convey meaning. The appropriate distance between two people varies across cultures and contexts.

8 Touch: Handshakes, pats on the back, or a friendly hug can convey warmth. Take note of different cultural norms and personal boundaries.

9 Microexpressions: Microexpressions are fleeting facial expressions that occur quickly and often unconsciously. They can reveal underlying emotions or thoughts a person may try to conceal.

Understanding and paying attention to these visual cues can enhance communication skills, help gauge other people's reactions, and improve overall understanding during a conversation.

Dr Paul Ekman

Before Dr Paul Ekman's work in the 1970s it was believed that facial expressions signifying emotions were learned from those around us. Ekman's studies showed that people from very different cultures often used the same facial expressions to display the same emotions.

Ekman's findings suggest that a far more likely explanation is that emotional facial expressions are a fundamental evolved property of the brain.

Dr Dean Burnett Emotional Ignorance - Lost and Found in the Science of Emotion

How to be more effective in communication

Effective communication requires practice, patience, and understanding. Here are a few tips to keep in mind.

1 Face the person directly: Maintain good visibility of your face; this allows a good view of your facial expressions, lip movements, and gestures which are essential for effective communication.

2 Speak clearly and naturally: Enunciate words and maintain a natural pace. Avoid exaggerated lip movements or speaking too slowly.

3 Use visual context: Use hand gestures, body language, and other visual cues to support your verbal communication. refer How Context Shapes Conversation

4 Create a comfortable environment: Minimize background noise and distractions to focus on the conversation.

5 Engage in active listening: Show genuine interest and engagement through active listening and behaviours. Nod your head, provide affirmative facial expressions, and maintain eye contact.

Refer Active Listening Vs Deep Listening

6 Be patient and respectful: Allow extra time for the person to process and respond to the conversation. Avoid interrupting or finishing their sentences. Be patient and allow them to express their thoughts fully.

Incorporating these visual cues and strategies can make conversations more accessible and inclusive. It's helpful to have an open discussion about specific communication needs and preferences to ensure effective communication and understanding..

Inclusivity means embracing diverse communication methods and adapting to ensure everyone's voice is heard, regardless of their hearing abilities!

• Listening