Body language in Business Negotiation

Abstract

Human beings communicate through a variety of channels. Language is not the sole means by which humans exchange information. In conversation, we express our ideas and feelings not only with words but also through facial expressions, voice tones, and gestures. These non-verbal languages are called “Body Language”. It is just like our verbal language, is also a part of our culture. In business negotiations, body language plays a significant role in the communication. It is necessary to master the skills of using and reading body language. This article mainly discusses the art of body language in negotiation. It states its functions and importance in business negotiations, then explores how to use and understand body language in negotiations. Different people have different ways of making nonverbal communication. A comparative study of Chinese and American body language shows a number of similarities and diversities of body language. It shows the importance of knowing the specific signals that go together with a language. It finally emphasizes the necessity and importance of learning body language in non-verbal communication and business negotiations.