To appear competent, smile more

Communication takes place on many levels. If you are communicating in person or via a video link, there is a lot of non-verbal communication going on. Your posture, eye contact, and facial expressions will all play a part in what you convey. Here's a fascinating talk about why you should smile. It can improve your life span, help you appear more competent, and many other things. Also, can you read the smiles of others? Test yourself to see how many fake and real smiles you can spot. Here's a hint, though: look at the eyes and other parts of the face and head.

Liespotting

Ah, election season, not the best time of the year for truth. Now that the mailers and calls have stopped coming, have a look at this page that discusses lies in the business setting. Many of the cues that you will have to lies come from nonverbal communication, such as licking of lips, lowered voice, and frozen upper body. There are also cues in the words, though, such as unnecessary details, and lack of contractions ("did not" instead of "didn't") or distancing language.

Sending a symbolic message

When you walk into a room, you present a message about yourself before you utter a single word. This message is carried in your walk, the way you dress, and the way you make eye contact with other people, as well as many other ways. There are many different forms of non-verbal communication, a few of which are detailed on this page. Here's a site that references a different sort of message, though: the mainstream fashion press has made plenty of speculation about what Mrs. Obama will wear to inaugural balls on January 21st. What if she wore (gasp!) a recycled dress? Mrs. Carter did, and it caused quite a flurry of attention and criticism. But is also is a form of non-verbal communication. In this depressed economy with many people calling for reuse of scarce resources, I can imagine the message that would be sent by such a choice.