Download METTA-long - NonverbalPhd.com

METTA: The Impact of Nonverbal Communication on Daily Interactions
There are many nonverbal elements that exist in every encounter we have with
others that has a substantial, yet often not noticeable impact on our emotions and
affect on us.
The nonverbal elements include what we and others do both intentionally and
unintentionally while also including elements outside of the individuals. For
example, and to be described further below, environmental factors such as the
location can have a substantial impact on the interaction.
Admittedly it can very daunting to try and be aware of each of these elements as it is
easy to concentrate on one particular channel at the expense of the other nonverbal
channels and elements as well as the words being spoken. It is from this perspective
that I created a few years ago the METTA acronym.
I created it with the intention to help others be more effective at having a positive
interaction with others. At the same time it can also raise awareness of all the
nonverbal elements present while also being mindful of the nonverbal cues the
other person(s) use.
The METTA acronym allows non-researcher and academics who are interested in
nonverbal communication to have a greater understanding of the impact of such key
terms including kinesics (body movement), proxemics (spatial distance), oculics
(visual), haptics (touch), and chronemics (time).
Instead of using terms that are ostensibly not part of most people’s everyday
language, METTA acknowledges their importance while offering it in an acronym to
increase the awareness of the above-mentioned areas of nonverbal communication.
Instead of using those terms, METTA refers to movement, environment, tone,
touch and appearance. Below each element is described.
Movement. Movement is what most people think of when the word nonverbal
communication is mentioned and is often referred to as body language. Movement
includes head nodding, head tilt, eye contact and gaze, blinking, facial muscle
movement (eyebrows, lips, the area near the eyes and nose), hand gestures, gait,
body orientation (direction), posture, and smiling.
The movements people make can be used strategically or often times, especially
during stress, they can leak out important information that was not intended to be
shared offering insight to the person’s current emotional state.
Environment. Nonverbal communication is not limited to the people involved in
the interaction. The environment includes important elements such as time. Time
refers to the speaking person’s time used to talk as well as the time used not talking.
Silence is very important to be aware of. Time also includes the moment of the day
when the interaction is taking place. Consider the impact of having a meeting in the
morning compared to just prior to the end of the workday.
Other important elements the concept of the environment include the location the
interaction is taking place. Consider the role the location has when choosing where
to have, for example a meeting compared to the conference room or the coffee shop.
Also, the layout of the location is important. How close chairs are placed as well as
their positioning can create a collaborative or combative atmosphere. And that is if
there is even seating compared to standing.
Finally, the environment also includes the spatial distance between the people
involved in the interaction. Think about how you feel when people “invade” your
space. Notice the distance between people based on the situation.
Tone. We have all heard the saying, “It’s not what you say, but how you say it,”
right? Firstly, what you say is important and should not be discounted or even
worse disregarded. The tone a person uses gives insight into the emotions and
intentions of what a person is experiencing.
Tone also includes the use of back-channel utterances such as “mmm” “uh-ha” that
let people you agree or are paying attention. A professional presence relies on your
tone. Utterances such as a frequently using “ummm” or “ahhh” can have an adverse
effect that can display the perception of not being knowledge of the subject matter
or prepared.
Touch. Touch is a very powerful and can be a violent form of nonverbal
communication. Often, I primarily refer to touch as a method of developing rapport,
such as the use of shaking hands as well as gaining compliance. Shaking or not
shaking someone’s hands can impact the interaction, especially when a person
exchanges a handshake with one person of the group and not the other.
Additionally, contact based on the location someone makes contact with the other
person can create different emotional states. Consider the difference between
touching your forearm compared to your upper arm tri-cep area. Another example
includes noticing where a man touches a woman on the back. Making contact with
the small of a woman’s back is usually reserved for someone close to that person as
it a more intimate area compared to the back of the shoulder.
Appearance. I have a saying, “The first step to looking good is looking good.” Does
it make sense, well maybe not grammatically but in regards to nonverbal
communication it emphasizes the importance of our appearance has on others.
Police officers wear a uniform for a reason. You don’t wear shorts and a tee shirt to
an important meeting for a reason. One survey says over 80% of a first impression
is made before you even start speaking. The way we dress impacts the impression,
both positively and negatively, others make of use as well as the impression we
make of others.
Appearance also include accessories and adornments such the type of watch we
wear (Hello Kitty or Rolex), a backpack or briefcase and the use of jewelry.
It is important to note that each of the METTA elements should not be viewed as
operating in exclusion or in a vacuum void of other elements. Rather, while
observing each element, it is important to also be aware of the interdependent
nature of each has and the impact each one has on others.
Using METTA is intended to help people be more effective communicators and as
such, it is note worthy to add a disclaimer that although yes, nonverbal
communication is important, one should not negate the importance use and choice
of the words others and we use along with the nonverbal elements.
Additionally, it is also important to know the context of the situation. For example, a
certain gesture can have a particular meaning in one situation while having another
meaning in a different situation.
Finally, METTA has worked, and continues to work for me. I use it to help me with
preparing for speeches, during my police work, during negotiations, training
sessions, during mediations, and it plays a pivotal role in my PhD research.
The best way to see it’s potential effectiveness is to try it yourself so I invite you to
use and provide feedback. Let me know your thoughts as part of the becoming more
aware of nonverbal communication and using it effectively is engaging others in
dialogue to discuss what we observe and have learned.