The Verbal and Non-verbal Communication

Other than being categorized as formal or informal, communication can be classified as either verbal or non-verbal as well. Verbal or oral communication involves the use of speech to pass information. For verbal communication to be effective, clear spoken words have to be used. Similarly, appropriateness in the tone and stress of voice in which the spoken words are expressed is necessary to ensure that verbal communication is effective.

Different from verbal communication, non-verbal communication involves sending and receiving cues that are wordless. Firstly, non-verbal communication can involve vocal cues that are termed as paralinguistic. Paralinguistic include things such as tone, volume, inflection, pitch, and pronunciation. Secondly, non-verbal communication can involve gestures and body movement. Thirdly, non-verbal communication can involve facial expressions such as grimacing, crying and smiling. Similarly, it may involve space in the concept of personal space or territoriality. Besides, non-verbal communication may involve touch like tapping an individual on the back as a congratulatory gesture. Appropriate application of both verbal and non-verbal forms of communication facilitates leadership development goals because organizational leaders can guide those under them using the forms of communication. Moreover, the forms of communication enable organizational leaders to interact with those under them hence appropriately, creating positive workplace relationships (Burns, 1991).

Communication within an organization involves two parties, the sender, and the receiver. Information originates from the sender and ends up with the receiver. The receiver gets the message and understands it how the sender intends for it to be understood. Likewise, communication is a two-way process meaning that it becomes finalized when the sender and receiver of information become aware that their communication is meaningful. This feature of communication facilitates the development of leadership goals since organizational leaders listen to those under them and use their views to implement leadership change.