Non-verbal communication

Maintain the bond
Form a bond
Calm
Deconstruct (oneself)
Empower
Organize
Talk
Take care

Goals:

To use signs and gestures to structure and facilitate communication between several people.

Participants:

Variable

Duration:

Au besoin

Required equipment:

Aucun

Space requierment:

Tout espace permettant au groupe de discuter.

Requirements:

Ideally, the facilitator has already experienced this protocol before facilitating it. If not, specify that she discovers it at the same time as the participants.

Preparation

The facilitator leads the group through the protocol, reading and then carrying out each point, one after the other.

Process

Establish a series of gestures for the group's non-verbal communication, in order to circulate speech, fluidify and structure exchanges, intervene or react.

Invite the group to make the gestures at the same time to integrate them.
- Cross your middle and index fingers to speak after the previous person (in a small group).
- Raise two, then three fingers, etc., to indicate the desire to speak next, withdrawing a finger each time you speak.
- Swivel both hands open at head height to indicate agreement; this is the gesture of applause in sign language.
- Open and close the middle and index fingers (like scissors) to add micro-precision or important information that can't wait.
- Make a T with both hands to signal a technical point (bathroom break, fifteen minutes to go before the end of the meeting, etc.).
- Form a C with your hand to ask a question.
- Open and close your fists to express saturation or the need for a break.
- Cross your forearms in front of your chest if you feel hurt by something someone has said.
- Make the gesture of a flag fluttering in the wind to signal a rambling subject and refocus attention.
After a full round, repeat all the gestures together to anchor them.
Invent or use other signs according to the specific needs of the group. For example, make an A with two hands to tell an anecdote, clap your hands horizontally once to express the desire to bounce back, or snap your fingers around to show enthusiastic agreement.
Suggest timing each person's speaking time, for example, a maximum of 2 minutes each.

Notes

Invite group members to suggest signs they know and incorporate them into the list of gestures used.
Can be combined with role allocation (see Possible roles).
Among other things, these gestures make it possible to reduce the speaking time of people who tend to speak frequently, increase the speaking time of people who speak infrequently, avoid interruptions, and establish greater listening and benevolence.
This protocol may seem like nothing, but we've found it to be a powerful way of calming tensions and conflicts.

References

This tool was developed in this form by the collective la colle, based on several sources and practices of non-verbal communication.