1. Task roles influence the appropriate communication style needed. This truth is reflected in the concept of "situational communication styles," in which leaders select the best communication style for the situation at hand (Curtis). For example, in a task-oriented environment such as a factory, where the tasks are all related to physical activities that must be accomplished, the best communication style is an asymmetrical one where the leader does most of the talking so that he can teach skills to the workers or give them needed direction (Curtis). In a situation where the tasks are more dependent upon an equal exchange between the leader and the workers, such as in a think tank or problem-solving meeting, or when the leader is focusing more on relation-building, the communication style needs to be more symmetrical, allowing input from everyone in roughly equal parts to that of the leader to promote group interaction (Curtis). The roles within the group and the individual communication styles of the participants must also be weighed into the balance, because different individuals accomplish different purposes in diverse ways. For example, in groups where the objective is to seek camaraderie, men tend to establish hierarchy, while women tend to develop connections (Curtis). Whereas men prefer to figure things out for themselves, women are more concerned with protecting the connection between group members (Curtis).
             2. Nonverbal communication is a way of communicating with others without speaking to them. This type of communication can occur via gestures, sign language, body language, or writing ("Verbal Communication"). During group interaction, such as in a meeting or informal gathering of more than two people, two of the best ways that nonverbal communication can be used effectively are to communicate agreement and disagreement or to communicate emotion. Agreement or disagreement can be indicated by ...