Non-Verbal Communication
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1. Use humor.
On my office door, there are a couple of what I call “conversation pictures.” One of them is my dog having an accident on the floor (it’s cute rather than crude) and another is a calendar photo of a dog with the saying “Never bite when a growl will do.” These two pieces have sparked more conversations with students as they walk through my door than anything else I have ever used. This is the first impression that students get of me and it seems to allow them to ease into the appointment even when they need to discuss something unpleasant like a withdrawal or dismissal. It also seems to create a good environment for those students who are just there to check in. They get a glimpse of what’s important to me and I get a chance to hear their stories about pets or chuckles about how cut my dog is. Find your own “icebreaker”, but make sure that it’s humorous and conveys a sense of openness.
2. Use good eye contact.
With the onslaught of technology (e.g., cell phones, the internet, instant messaging, email) there are many opportunities where advisors can become distracted from their primary responsibility (i.e., the student) to focus on something else which grabbed their attention. I’m sure everyone can relate to that little sound Outlook makes when a new message arrives. It’s hard not to look over at your monitor and away from your student when this happens. In the next few days, I am going to try to make an effort to turn off all of those “distracters” and focus solely on the student in my office. Students deserve my undivided attention when they come in for appointments; they should not have to contend with my monitor.
3. Practice gestures which convey professionalism
I’ve noticed that the more comfortable I get in my advising position; there is a tendency for me to run through the motions of an appointment (especially at the end of the day). When I am comfortable, I may stop taking notes and talking at the student more. I have also caught myself reclining in my chair or rocking when I should be sitting up-right and attentive.
Coping.org outlines the body-language of a professional and suggests adopting practices such as:
• Taking notes even when you don’t feel like you need to in order to convey authority and listening
• Lean forward toward your student during the appointment
• Set up your office so that there are no barriers between yourself and your student. A caveat to this is to be sure that you have access to the door should an emergency situation arise
• Maintain eye contact throughout the appointment. Instead of looking at your computer while you’re talking, wait until your done looking up the information and then convey it to the student.
• Adopt a “Licolnesque” position
4. Educate yourself on the various cultural differences in non-verbal communication
Institutions are always striving to increase diversity within their classes and I believe that this is fantastic. However, it does make our jobs are academic advisors a bit more difficult. There are some gestures and sayings that students from different cultural backgrounds may find offensive or not comprehend at all. We must be cognizant of as many differences as possible so that we can serve each student well. Recent NACADA conferences have begun to address these needs with break-out sessions involving Islamic students, LGBTQ, and others. Reading up on cultural differences will make each appointment a little easier.
5. Maintain the same level of intensity with each student
I don’t know about you but by the 4:30 appointment, I am usually spent. Talking all day long leaves me drained and I can sense myself slowing down by late afternoon. It is our duty to provide each student with equal attention. Our body language can convey the message that we are in a hurry or are “spent” for the day. To combat this, try to take periodic walks during the day and spend your lunch break doing something non-work related. I am as guilty as the next person of working through my lunch… you always want to squeeze in that extra student or someone shows up at your door with an “emergency.” I also try to schedule administrative time at the end of the day so that I can get the most out of my morning energy bursts.
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