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You say it best when you say nothing at all
We all know that communication extends beyond verbal exchanges. In any conversation, especially in the workplace, we rely heavily on nonverbal cues to convey and interpret messages. In this guide, we'll explore the nuances of nonverbal communication in the professional world, uncover its various forms, and provide tips on improving your nonverbal skills for greater impact and effectiveness.
What is nonverbal communication?
Nonverbal communication is when people convey their thoughts and feelings through unspoken communication and behaviour.
Research tells us that there are nine nonverbal communication types, including:
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Proxemics: Use of personal space, e.g. how close you stand to others
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Gestures: Hand movements to show what you're thinking
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Facial expressions: Emotions shown through your face
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Paralinguistics: The way you say things, e.g. pitch, tone
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Eye contact: Looking at someone to show attention or interest
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Haptics: Using touch to communicate, e.g. a handshake
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Appearance: What your clothes and style say about you
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Body language: Posture and movements that show your mood
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Artefacts: Personal items that reflect who you are, e.g. jewellery, gadgets
9 types of nonverbal communication skills
Here's a deep dive into the nine nonverbal communication examples to help you become more conscious of these subtle cues in the workplace:
Proxemics: the power of personal space
Ever had someone stand way too close while chatting? It feels weird, right? That's proxemics at play – the physical space between you and another person when you're engaging in conversation.
Standing too close can feel invasive while standing too far makes you seem disengaged. There's a sweet spot that we're all inherently aware of – typically between 18 inches and four feet apart.
However, what feels right for you and others may depend on other factors, such as your relationship and cultural norms. Best friends stand close, but colleagues keep a respectful distance.
Gestures: talking with your hands
Some people let their hands do the talking. Gestures, like pointing, waving, or giving a thumbs up, add flair to the conversation.
Often enough, gestures are subtle. You might not notice the person doing them when you're first speaking. However, these slight movements can influence how you both feel about the conversation, and the conveyed overriding message between you.
Facial expressions: the unspoken truth
A smile or frown says more than words ever could. If someone congratulates you on your promotion with a smile, it feels genuine. But if they're frowning while claiming they're happy for you, it's safe to bet they aren't being 100% truthful about their feelings.
Facial expressions are universal, transcending language and culture. No matter where you are, a frown or a beaming smile will likely look the same. It can be disconcerting when someone's face doesn't match their words, so pay attention and watch out.
Paralinguistics: it's all in the delivery
It's not what you say; it's how you say it. At least, that's what paralinguistics is all about. A person's tone, pitch, and how loud they talk can speak volumes. These vocal cues can drastically alter a message. The best example of this is sarcasm – although a person is saying one thing, their tone suggests the exact opposite of that.
Mastering paralinguistics is a conversational power move and can give your message a new layer of meaning. For instance, if you want to speak enthusiastically in a job interview, let your tone carry the energy.
Eye contact: the gaze of truth
They say eyes are the window to the soul, and that's not far off in communication. Eye contact shows attention, confidence, and honesty. Ever notice how shifty eyes raise suspicion while steady eye contact builds trust?
Knowing when to hold a person's gaze, blink, and look away can make all the difference in how you're perceived. These nonverbal communication signs are subtle, but it pays to look out for them. You may be able to tell a lot about what the other person thinks here.
Haptics: the language of touch
Human touch is powerful. A firm handshake in an interview shows confidence, while a light touch on a friend's shoulder offers comfort.
In the workplace, haptics are limited, but pay attention to them. Knowing when a handshake feels appropriate versus when it feels overpowering is a valuable skill.
Appearance: dress the part
First impressions are often visual, and appearance speaks volumes before you even open your mouth. Your outfit, grooming, and style signal how you want to be perceived.
When you're in the workplace, there's some truth in the statement that you should “dress for the job you want and not the job you have.” Dressing professionally for a meeting or job interview shows you're serious while being too casual might suggest the opposite.
It's not just about clothes – everything from your haircut to accessories communicates something about who you are. Many overlook this aspect of nonverbal communication – especially when working from home. However, your appearance can have a considerable impact.
Body language: actions speak louder than words
How you hold yourself matters. For example, slouching in a meeting sends a different message than sitting tall and engaged. Similarly, crossing your arms can signal defensiveness, while leaning in shows interest.
Even when working from home, your body language remains crucial. It's easy to slip into a more relaxed posture in a comfortable setting, so make sure your body signals align with the professionalism you want to project.
Artefacts: the story your stuff tells
The objects you carry and wear, such as jewellery and gadgets, speak volumes about who you are. A sleek portfolio in a job interview speaks to professionalism, while an unprepared appearance can raise doubts.
Your digital presence matters, too. Consider your Teams background, profile picture, or avatar. These subtle but powerful visual cues offer a glimpse into how you want to be perceived. Take the time to curate your physical and virtual environment to reflect the image you want to project.
Why are nonverbal communication skills important?
It's often said that how you say something matters more than what you actually say. According to Mehrabian's Communication Theory:
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7% of a message is conveyed through words
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38% through paralinguistics (tone and voice)
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And 55% through body language
The data proves that nonverbal cues are crucial in how we express meaning and can significantly impact how we're perceived. In the workplace, nonverbal communication is particularly important when you aim to achieve the following:
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Nailing first impressions: Your nonverbal cues set the tone. A firm handshake, good posture, and steady eye contact are subtle signals that make you seem confident and competent rather than nervous or unsure.
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Building instant rapport: We trust what we see with our own eyes. If your body language matches your words, you'll build credibility quickly with your colleagues or in a job interview. Mixed signals can make you seem unreliable.
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Showing you're engaged: Leaning in slightly, nodding, or maintaining good eye contact shows the other person you're tuned in. This can be the difference between being seen as present or zoning out.
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Keeping your cool: Plenty of work situations are nerve wracking, but controlling your nonverbal cues, like keeping your fidgeting in check, can help you appear calm and in control.
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Navigating cultural nuances: Different workplaces may have different nonverbal norms. Awareness of these can make you more adaptable and prevent awkward moments, whether understanding personal space or how direct eye contact is perceived.
How to improve your nonverbal communication skills
Now that you're familiar with the various types of nonverbal communication, let's discuss how to use this information to your advantage. It's not merely about noticing the cues (and acting appropriately) but also about controlling yours.
With that in mind, here are some approaches that you can try to improve your nonverbal communication skills:
Respond, don't react
Are you reactive when you're in conversations? Do you allow your emotions to rule you or take a beat between responding? If you get hot-headed and reply with irritation, sarcasm, snark, or anything else, take this as your sign to cut it out.
If you want to get your nonverbal communication in check – and be in control – you need to learn to respond, not react. That means taking a second to digest the information you're presented with before deciding what to say back to the other person. When you do that, you can determine what messages you want to send them.
Work on your listening skills
Listening is a key part of nonverbal communication. When speaking to someone else, be intentional about listening to and understanding them. You could miss their message if you're too focused on your nonverbal cues and what to say next. Listen to what they say, both with their words and nonverbal actions.
Be present in the moment
Think about the last face-to-face conversation that you had. Where was your mind? Were you focusing all of your attention on the person in front of you? Or, like all too many of us, were you thinking about something else? When you fail to be present with another person, there's no way you'll be able to pick up on their nonverbal communication.
The next time you speak to someone, remind yourself of the importance of being present. Bring your attention back to the room and the person standing before you.
Open up your body language
Of course, you want to be approachable when you're in the workplace. One way you can do this is by ensuring you have open body language. There are plenty of ways to get started with this, but a few include unfolding your arms, turning your body to face the other person, and making eye contact with them as you speak.
Notice incongruent nonverbal cues
Some incongruent nonverbal cues are at play if you're getting mixed messages. For instance, a person may tell you everything's completely fine while looking away from you and folding their arms. Now, you don't have to be Freud to know that you've probably hurt their feelings or that something else is wrong with them.
When you come up against these issues, ask for clarification. It may be hard to broach difficult subjects, but the person sending you mixed signals wants their message to be heard and understood. Dig deeper and ask them what's going on.
Be a brilliant communicator
Taking note of people's nonverbal communication – and improving yours – could significantly impact your career. Often, people overlook this vital part of everyday relationship building and simply “wing it.” While that may seem like the easiest way to go, there's a lot of power in being aware of the many messages we share without speaking. It's high time to use this knowledge to improve your overall communication skills and make a difference in your career.
Mastering the art of nonverbal communication can help you accelerate your career and reach your goals faster. If you want to get ahead, look at TopCV's expert CV writing services or free CV review to make sure you're application-ready with an optimised CV!
This article was originally written by Charlotte Grainger and has been updated by Laura Slingo.