Nonverbal communication: what you need to know for career development

When most people think of “communication,” they think of verbal communication, both speaking and writing. And that’s true – we are a hyper-verbal society, utilizing speech to communicate face-to-face, online, and in group settings. But there’s another form of communication that we use every day, and it might be even more powerful than the words we use. 

Nonverbal communication is critical to showing who we are, what we think, and how we interact with the people around us. Translating nonverbal body language, from a facial expression, gesture, or even personal appearance traits such as hairstyle or clothing, can be critical to maintaining positive relationships in the workplace and key to successful career development.

In this article, we’ll discuss the use of nonverbal communication in the workplace, including

• What is nonverbal communication?

• The importance of nonverbal communication

• Types of nonverbal communication

• Improving nonverbal communication skills
  

What is nonverbal communication?

Nonverbal communication is pretty much what it sounds like — communicating with others without using words. We express ourselves through the use of gestures, body language, how we dress, our tone of voice, and even how much eye contact we utilize. And we use it in the workplace much more than you think, in one-on-one conversations, meetings, presentations, or interviews. Have you ever asked someone, “How are you?” and they respond, “Great!” but their shoulders are hunched, or their voice is flat, or they just look sad? That’s nonverbal communication — when your words say one thing, but everything else about you indicates another.

We are communicating with each other all the time, even if we’re silent. Nonverbal communication and body language can send indicators that tell people if you’re to be trusted or if they can relax around you. It can also confuse them if your body language doesn’t match up with your words. Being aware of how you “come off” to others can help you communicate more effectively in the workplace and ensure you’re being heard and build stronger career connections.

Why nonverbal communication is important in the workplace

How you use nonverbal communication in the workplace is vital for establishing professional relationships. It can tell others if you’re being straightforward (or if you’re hiding something!), if you’re paying attention, or even if you dislike them. When your words and your body language align, you demonstrate confidence, transparency, and empathy. If they don’t, people often don’t know what to think and can become confused or suspicious. At the very least, people will spend precious time trying to figure out what you “really mean,” which can decrease workplace efficiency.

Nonverbal communication has five functions:

• It can enhance your words, which reinforces what you’re saying.

• Conversely, it can cancel out your words, because your verbal and nonverbal communications appear contradictory.

• It can place an emphasis on what you’re saying. For example, clapping or high-fiving can boost a positive message.

• Nonverbal communication can take the place of speaking. A picture can paint a thousand words, and a smile or a pursing of the lips can convey more than any spoken sentiment.

• Body language can supplement what you’re saying. A firm handshake for a job well done can enhance your message to the recipient.

Communication is vital to efficiency and workplace success. By improving your nonverbal communication skills, you can better your understanding of your co-worker’s feelings and outlooks regarding work circumstances. This can boost morale, productivity, and employee engagement, as well as improve relationships with clients or customers. Developing keen nonverbal communication skills helps you demonstrate empathy with a coworker and confidence when dealing with management.

7 Types of nonverbal communication

Nonverbal communication is more than just furrowing your brows or nodding your head. It runs the gamut from our vocal volume and pace, to the way we dress.  In fact, according to Patti Wood, a body language expert, we can communicate up to 10,000 visual cues in less than sixty seconds. 

Here are seven types of nonverbal communication you may find in the workplace:

1. Tone of voice: People interpret your voice as well as your words. Be aware of your pacing, volume, intonation, and filler words such as “um” and “you know.” These things can convey annoyance and resentment, or warmth, and self-assurance. Think of it as your inner Chandler Bing from the TV show “Friends,” whose sarcasm often contradicted his words: “Could I BE any happier?”

Example: Your boss is leading a meeting about the new bookkeeping system. Their voice is flat and at a low volume. This leads to your fellow employees being slow to learn the new system, which reduces productivity.

2. The use of touch: Touch can be used to express friendliness, compassion, casualness, and so on. Touch is also often used to convey authority and control, although women are more likely to use it to express sympathy, connection, and support. Be aware of HR guidelines, and respect professional boundaries in the workplace to ensure there are no detrimental consequences to your career development.

Example: When appropriate, a pat on the back or a light touch of the arm can convey confidence, empathy, and support (although other countries or cultures will have different standards for the level of professional contact that is appropriate.)

3. Appearance: It’s unfortunate that we are often judged on how we look, but our outward appearance is also regarded as a form of nonverbal communication. In a Yale University study from Daniel Hamermesh, it was determined that employers pay a “beauty premium” to attractive employees, which rewards the more conventionally attractive employees with an average of a five percent higher salary, while those deemed “less attractive” tended to earn almost nine percent less. While no rational person would suggest getting plastic surgery, being aware of biases in the workplace and putting your best appearance forward can go a long way.

Example: You are meeting with a potential new client and are hoping to land their business. You dress in neat, professional attire to demonstrate that you take them seriously and that their account is important to you. 

4. Eye Contact: It is said that the eyes are the windows to the soul, and indeed, the eyes convey a wide range of emotions by staring, gazing, and rate of blinking. Regular, consistent eye contact is usually interpreted to mean a person is trustworthy. Looking away, or having inconsistent eye contact is often believed to be a sign of dishonesty. However, as stated above, be aware that many neurodiverse or disabled people have issues with staring/eye contact, and it should have no bearing on how their meaning is interpreted.

Example: A colleague comes to you with an idea to land a new client. Maintaining eye contact demonstrates that you are listening and taking their idea seriously.

5. Posture and movement:  Much can be communicated by the way you walk, sit, or hold your hands. Slouching, for example, can suggest fatigue or vulnerability. While crossing your arms might just mean you’re contemplating something, it often signals defensiveness or that a person is disinterested. Stand up straight and keep your head up, which will indicate confidence and professionalism.

Example: You are asking your boss for a raise. Standing straight with your shoulders back demonstrates that you know your self-worth and are deserving of a salary increase.

6. Gestures: Hand movements and signals are a common way to express feelings or an idea without words. Gestures can be the most obvious and easily understood method of nonverbal communication. (Sign language, while generally non-vocal, is not considered a form of nonverbal communication, since signing can be translated into words.)

Example: The “thumbs up” sign can indicate something is good, and a friendly wave can be used to get someone’s attention. Lively gesturing could indicate enthusiasm, or even an emergency, depending on the context.  7. Facial Expressions: The face can express a myriad of emotions, and most expressions are the same everywhere. such as sadness, happiness, fear, revulsion, and amazement. We can get a good idea of what someone is thinking just by looking at his or her face. For example, a slight smile might show that you’re paying attention to a colleague and that you’re interested in what they have to say. And watch out for “resting mad face.” It might convey to others that you’re angry when you’re not. Be aware of your “facial arrangement” and make sure it doesn’t contradict your verbal message and create misunderstanding in the workspace.

Example: A coworker is leading a meeting about new HR policies. Smiling and nodding demonstrate that you are actively listening and that you care about what they have to say.

How do you improve your nonverbal communication skills?

Improving nonverbal communication skills relies on staying in the moment. If you are distracted or thinking about something else, you’re most likely to miss nonverbal cues and not gain a full understanding of what is going on. The basic thing to remember is that you should be fully engaged and listening, not “waiting to speak.”

Learn to manage stress

When you’re under stress, it’s harder to communicate effectively since you’re more likely to give off conflicting cues, thereby potentially upsetting others. Work on managing your stress through mindfulness, breathing techniques, or simply taking a moment to regroup.

Be aware of your emotions

You can’t send accurate nonverbal skills if you’re not sure how you’re feeling, and you need to be able to recognize emotional signs in others. This is called “emotional awareness” and it helps you to get a better read on other people, develop trust, and demonstrate empathy. Many of us were taught to tamp down our feelings, especially in the workplace, but by developing a greater awareness of your emotions and how they affect you as well as the people around you, you can develop greater control over how you behave and process your environment.

Become fluent in body language

Reading body language is a skill just about anyone can develop or strengthen. Once you’ve tuned into your own feelings, you can begin to read others more effectively. There are a few things to consider:

• Look at nonverbal communication cues as a whole, including eye contact, voice, and gestures, instead of zoning in on one specific thing. Consider if the nonverbal cues, taken together, match up with their words.

• Trust yourself. If something feels “off,” it probably is. You may not be able to put your finger on it, but there is probably a misalignment between the other person’s words and actions. 

• Be aware of discrepancies. A person’s body language should match what they’re saying. For example, a person could say, “Hey, no problem,” but their fists are clenched. 

Things to look for

As you develop your nonverbal communication skills, there are areas to look out for:

• Are they responding appropriately, or appearing interested?

• Is the conversation natural or stilted?

• Is there any physical contact? Is it comfortable for the situation?

• How is their posture? Are the shoulders hunched? Do they look tense, or are they at ease and calm?

• What is their face telling you? Is it expressing an emotion, or is it like they’re wearing a mask?

• Is their eye contact appropriate?

Developing your own skills includes analyzing yourself as well as others. Be aware of the gestures you use when you’re angry, happy, or bored, and look for these clues in your co-workers. And learning to think for a moment before you respond will help you train yourself to respond to a person or situation appropriately. 

While nonverbal communication might not come naturally to everyone, it is a skill that can be developed. By improving your nonverbal communication in the workplace, you can better express yourself, communicate more clearly with co-workers, and foster solid professional relationships.

Key takeaways

1. Nonverbal communication is how we express ourselves through the use of gestures, body language, appearance, voice, and eye contact.

2. How you use nonverbal communication in the workplace is vital for establishing professional relationships. 

3. Types of nonverbal communication include touch, tone of voice, gestures, facial expressions, posture, and eye contact.

4. Improving your nonverbal communication skills includes managing stress, becoming emotionally aware, and strengthening your listening skills.