Nonverbal Communication
As a leader, it's essential to be aware of your nonverbal communication, which includes things like body language and facial expressions. Even without saying a word, these cues can send powerful messages that impact your interactions with colleagues and team members.
By reflecting on your own nonverbal communication style, you can gain valuable insights to improve your effectiveness as a leader and strengthen relationships with colleagues.
Self-Assessment: Nonverbal Communication
Please take a few moments to answer the following self-reflection questions. Where can you identify opportunities for personal growth in your leadership?
Am I aware of the non-verbal signals I project in various situations, such as facial expressions, body language, tone of voice, and gestures?
How might my non-verbal cues influence their perceptions and interactions with me?
Do my non-verbal cues align with the verbal messages I convey?
Have I sought feedback from trusted colleagues or mentors regarding my non-verbal communication?
Are there specific areas, such as maintaining eye contact, controlling facial expressions, or using gestures effectively, that I can focus on developing further
How observant am I of non-verbal cues in the workplace environment?
Are there patterns or trends have I noticed in the non-verbal communication of my team members?
Do I respond the same way to my colleague’s nonverbal cues as I would expect them to respond to mine?
Reflect on these questions carefully and answer them honestly. Use your insights as a guide to evaluate your understanding of nonverbal communication and identify areas for improvement.
“Listen with an open mind, gather all the incoming information, both verbal and nonverbal and be careful not to ignore things you don’t wish to hear. Don’t make assumptions or jump to conclusions. The punchline usually comes at the end!”
We know that communication involves more than just the words we say or write. But have you considered the impact of the non-verbal messages you're sending? Body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice all play a big role in how your message is received. Many leaders, despite their best efforts, remain uncertain about how they truly come across to others.
To become a better communicator, it's essential to develop a strong understanding of your own nonverbal signals. Recognizing what helps or hinders your communication will allow you to match your verbal and nonverbal messages, ensuring they work together to clearly and confidently express your intended meaning.
According to UCLA professor Albert Mehrabian's widely cited studies on verbal and non-verbal communication, as much as 55 percent of communication is transmitted through body language, with only 7 percent attributed to words, and the remaining 38 percent is through tone. It's important to note that these percentages specifically apply to situations where a person is conveying feelings or attitudes. This highlights the significant role non-verbal cues play in shaping your presence as a leader.
There are four areas which we are going to focus on during this session. We will look at the importance of eye contact, posture, gestures, and tone of voice.
The Eyes Have It
Your eyes are crucial for connecting with others. Think back to when a teacher would give a student "the look" for talking in class - no words were needed to convey the message.
Our eyes let people know we are present, engaged and listening. Through our eye contact, we can make people feel special. Our eyes can make people feel as though we are speaking to them directly or that they are the most important person during a conversation. Losing eye contact or giving no eye contact can diminish a connection and become a barrier when trying to convey a message.
The Power of Posture
Your posture is one of the most noticeable aspects of body language. It communicates confidence, competence, and openness without you having to say anything. Standing tall with your shoulders back and head held high makes you appear self-assured, in charge, and approachable. This inspires confidence in your team and can even boost your own mood and energy. Good posture also has health benefits, reducing physical strain and enabling you to handle the demands of leadership more effectively.
Avoid slouching, crossing your arms, or fidgeting, as these postures suggest disinterest, insecurity, or defensiveness. Remember, your posture reflects your inner strength as a leader.
Gestures
Gestures involve using your hands, arms, and head to emphasize or illustrate your verbal messages. How you animate yourself while communicating significantly influences how you and your message are perceived.
When inspiring your team, use natural, expressive gestures to convey enthusiasm and engage your audience. Point to explain, use open arm movements to invite feedback, and nod or tilt your head to show acknowledgment.
Moreover, gestures can boost creativity, clarity, and engagement, making you appear more dynamic and charismatic. Effective speakers often move around, pointing to a slide instead of merely reading from it, and engage with their audience on a more personal level, while always being mindful of respecting personal space and cultural norms regarding physical contact.
Tone and Mood
Your tone of voice and the mood you convey provide essential context for understanding the emotions and intent behind your words. They offer insights into your sincerity, attitude, and level of engagement.
The pitch, pace, and volume of your voice, as well as sounds like laughter or throat clearing, all contribute to the message you're sending. Even silence can be a powerful form of nonverbal communication, signifying a lack of understanding or strong emotions in face-to-face discussions. As you develop your nonverbal communication skills, observe how great leaders project themselves through their body language, tone, and use of silence.
“The most important thing in communication is to hear what isn’t being said.”
It’s important to note that not everyone is aware of their body language, so if the person you’re communicating with fails to make eye contact while speaking or fidgets as if they’re distracted, don’t immediately treat this as a sign of disrespect. As a leader, it’s your responsibility to assume positive intent and approach the situation with empathy. Consider that there may be underlying reasons, such as nervousness, cultural differences, or neurodiversity, that affect how someone communicates non-verbally. Instead of jumping to conclusions, take the time to understand their perspective while promoting a workplace environment where open, respectful communication is encouraged.
Although the words you choose are important, they only make up a small part of the overall message you convey when communicating. By improving your nonverbal communication skills and becoming a more engaged listener, you can enhance your leadership presence. This allows you to captivate your audience, inspire trust, and make a memorable impact on those around you.
Here’s a quick checklist to help you be mindful of your nonverbal communication:
Be aware of your body language and facial expressions
Practice active listening cues like nodding and maintaining eye contact
Convey empathy through your tone and expressions
Ensure consistency between your verbal and nonverbal messages
Adapt your nonverbal cues for different situations and cultures
Maintain positive, approachable facial expressions
Respect others' personal space while remaining accessible
Use natural, appropriate gestures to enhance your message
Regulate your emotions to keep nonverbal signals professional
Observe and interpret the nonverbal cues of your team members
Pay attention to nonverbal feedback to assess understanding and engagement
Despite the importance of nonverbal communication, many leaders hesitate to address issues with their own nonverbal cues because confronting these aspects of themselves directly can feel uncomfortable. To help you overcome this discomfort, here are four strategies for building self-awareness that will help you improve both your nonverbal communication and executive presence.
Mirror Practice: Spend a few minutes in front of a mirror each day. Practice different facial expressions and postures. This can help you become more aware of the nonverbal messages you're sending.
Record Yourself: Filming yourself during a mock meeting or presentation can provide insights into your body language habits.
Eye Contact: Maintain comfortable eye contact (which may vary depending upon the person or their culture) when someone is speaking to show you’re attentive and interested. “Comfortable” means holding eye contact for a few seconds at a time, without staring.
Avoid Distractions: Put away your phone or any other distractions to give the speaker your full attention.
Remember that nonverbal communication is a fast-paced, back-and-forth exchange that demands your complete attention in the present moment. If you're mentally rehearsing your next response, glancing at your phone, or letting your mind wander, you'll likely overlook important nonverbal signals and fail to grasp the nuances of what's being conveyed. In addition to being fully present, you can improve how you communicate nonverbally by learning to manage stress and developing your emotional awareness.
Personal Challenge:
Film a video of yourself communicating. While this might make you feel uncomfortable, it's an effective way to observe your own nonverbal cues and how you come across to others. After recording, watch the video to gain insight into what people see when you interact with them. It may feel strange at first, but this exercise will provide valuable feedback about your communication style and nonverbal habits.
Reflection Questions:
Reflect on a time when nonverbal communication played a significant role in a misunderstanding. What could have been done differently?
Is there anyone on your team who struggles with nonverbal communication? How do you handle those situations?
What alternative methods can you use to gauge engagement and understanding in employees who find eye contact challenging? How can you ensure they feel heard and valued?
To push your understanding of conflict resolution to the next level, explore these valuable resources. They'll help you expand your leadership skills and boost your ability to communicate effectively.
The Art of Eye Contact: 4 Best Approaches for Any Interaction
Negative Nonverbal Communication (3:12)
Positive Nonverbal Communication (2:52)
Take Control of Your Non Verbal Communication
Dr Nick Morgan With HBR (6:33)