प्रिया जर्नल
CGAMP Workshop on Effects of Non - Verbal Communication on Work Environment September 29, 2008
The Committee on Gender Awareness and Mainstreaming in PRIA (CGAMP) organised a workshop on the effects of non-verbal communication on work environment for all staff members at the Head Office on September 29, 2008. The objective of the workshop was to reflect upon the existing non-verbal behaviour between colleagues of the same and opposite sex, analyse how it affects others and how it could be changed to create a more comfortable working environment within PRIA.
Through the medium of three role-plays, few non-verbal behavioural patterns that make others uncomfortable were shown to the participants. They mainly involved gestures like a male staff member leaning too close to a female staff member’s chair while talking to her, a female colleague putting her hand on some male colleague’s shoulder or a common practice of scratching or adjusting clothes while talking to others by members of both sex.
Later, the members were divided into five groups, three of males and two of females and were given the task to list out types of non-verbal behaviour of colleagues of the same and opposite sex that makes members of their groups uncomfortable. It was decided to first reflect on what nonverbal communication by males are perceived as inappropriate by other male and female colleagues, and then repeat the exercise for females. Lists were compared and some common and unique behaviour were found in the presentations made. Some participants also sought further explanations to understand clearly what these groups meant and some objections were also raised.
It was emphasised that for building an effective working relationship one should be aware of these differences in interpersonal perceptions, keeping in mind that a number of these perceptions also depend on the given context and the people involved. In the end, Dr. Rajesh Tandon requested all participants to help their same sex colleagues in identifying inappropriate nonverbal behaviour patterns and promote greater understanding and stronger interpersonal relationships.
Through the medium of three role-plays, few non-verbal behavioural patterns that make others uncomfortable were shown to the participants. They mainly involved gestures like a male staff member leaning too close to a female staff member’s chair while talking to her, a female colleague putting her hand on some male colleague’s shoulder or a common practice of scratching or adjusting clothes while talking to others by members of both sex.
Later, the members were divided into five groups, three of males and two of females and were given the task to list out types of non-verbal behaviour of colleagues of the same and opposite sex that makes members of their groups uncomfortable. It was decided to first reflect on what nonverbal communication by males are perceived as inappropriate by other male and female colleagues, and then repeat the exercise for females. Lists were compared and some common and unique behaviour were found in the presentations made. Some participants also sought further explanations to understand clearly what these groups meant and some objections were also raised.
It was emphasised that for building an effective working relationship one should be aware of these differences in interpersonal perceptions, keeping in mind that a number of these perceptions also depend on the given context and the people involved. In the end, Dr. Rajesh Tandon requested all participants to help their same sex colleagues in identifying inappropriate nonverbal behaviour patterns and promote greater understanding and stronger interpersonal relationships.
