Using nonverbal communication competently is as much about learning to better express your intentions as it is about suppressing inappropriate responses. Knowing when to employ nonverbal behaviors, when to control them, and how to better interpret others’ use of them will lead you to more competent communication.

Nonverbal communication often seems automatic, something that just naturally occurs while interacting with others. But nonverbal communication is just as controllable as verbal communication if you invest the time and energy into learning how to do so. Focusing on three areas will strengthen your nonverbal communication skills: enhancing your nonverbal expressiveness, inhibiting your nonverbal behaviors when necessary, and checking your nonverbal attributions (Riggio, 2006).