The Secret Language of Leadership

More than half of communication happens through body language rather than words. Still, most professionals receive little to no training in this critical skill. And in today’s hybrid workplace, where teams shift between in-person and virtual settings, subtle cues like posture, eye contact, and tone are both more challenging to read and more important than ever.

For leaders, the stakes are high: nonverbal communication shapes trust, builds team cohesion, and determines whether a message inspires or falls flat. The good news? These skills can be learned, refined, and applied to strengthen relationships and amplify impact.

What is Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal communication includes the messages we send without speaking a word. We instead communicate through body language, facial expressions, tone of voice, and even the space we occupy in a room. It's the crossed arms during a negotiation, the steady eye contact that builds trust, the vocal tone that conveys urgency or calm.

The importance of nonverbal communication in the workplace can’t be understated. For leaders, mastering these nonverbal gestures isn't optional—it's the difference between influence and invisibility.

The Science Behind Nonverbal Communication

Research shows that when people communicate feelings or attitudes, only 7% of meaning comes from words, while 38% comes from tone and 55% from body language and facial expressions. Though often debated, the takeaway is clear: how something is said usually outweighs what is said.

Humans relied on gestures and expressions long before language, and that instinct still shapes how we judge credibility and confidence. In hybrid work, the challenge is sharper. A flat voice on a call or poor camera presence can erode influence as quickly as a frown in person. Leaders who grasp these dynamics gain a powerful edge in building trust and connection across all settings.

Nonverbal Communication Examples and Tips for Professional Settings

Nonverbal communication skills show up in countless ways, but a few areas consistently have the biggest impact in professional environments. Below are key dimensions to focus on, each paired with practical strategies you can put into practice.

Body Language and Posture

Strike a Confident Pose

An upright, open stance signals authority and composure; a slouched one projects disengagement or insecurity.

Stay Open

Avoid crossed arms or closed positions, which can unintentionally create barriers.

Use Gestures with Purpose

Intentional movement underscores key points and keeps attention focused. Try to avoid gestures that might distract such as tapping, fidgeting, or hand wringing.

Appropriate Touch

Generally, people’s comfort level with touch at work varies widely. In the United States, a firm, confident handshake is an appropriate greeting, however, this is isn’t true across cultures.

Facial Expressions and Eye Contact

Smile When it's Authentic

Genuine expressions foster trust, while forced ones are quickly detected.

Be Mindful of Eye Contact

In Western contexts, steady eye contact conveys confidence, but in other cultures, it may feel confrontational.

If you're leading across cultures, understanding these subtleties is non-negotiable. Here's our complete breakdown on cross-cultural communication.

Stay Composed in Tense Moments

Managing your facial reactions during difficult conversations communicates professionalism and maintains rapport.

If you're looking to sharpen your approach beyond body language alone, here's our full guide on how to have difficult conversations.

Voice and Tone (Paralinguistics)

Harness Pace, Volume, and Inflection

Varying these elements makes your delivery more dynamic and helps emphasize key ideas.

Pause Strategically

Well-placed pauses allow ideas to resonate and demonstrate confidence.

Match Tone to Intent

Aligning tone with the message underscores key takeaways and adds an emotional layer that makes it more memorable and impactful.

Spatial Awareness

Respect Personal Space

Recognizing that boundaries differ across contexts demonstrates both emotional intelligence and cultural awareness.

Position Yourself

Where you sit or stand in a meeting can reinforce authority or encourage openness.

Optimize Your Virtual Presence

Camera angle, lighting, and background all shape how you’re perceived online.

Common Nonverbal Communication Pitfalls

Even seasoned professionals can stumble when their nonverbal signals send the wrong message. Here are a few common traps to watch for:

Sending Mixed Signals

When words and body language don’t align, trust quickly erodes.

Overlooking Cultural Differences

Nonverbal cues vary widely across cultures, and misreading them can strain relationships.

Digital Blind Spots

In virtual settings, subtle signals can be missed, and others can be easily misinterpreted.

Falling into Unconscious Habits

Fidgeting, poor posture, or repetitive gestures can distract from your message without you realizing it.

Overcompensating

Trying too hard to appear confident or approachable can come across as inauthentic and undermine trust.

Practical Strategies for Improvement

Nonverbal communication can be improved with intentional practice. By focusing on awareness, adaptability, and consistency, you can strengthen both your presence and your impact.

For Individual Development

Self-awareness comes first—recording presentations or seeking feedback reveals blind spots. Equally important is reading others’ cues, from tone to body language, and building cultural intelligence so your signals resonate across diverse teams.

For Team Dynamics

Nonverbal communication shapes how teams connect. Open body language fosters participation and safety, while thoughtful gestures make meetings more engaging. In conflict, steady tone and calm posture help prevent escalation and keep dialogue productive.

For Virtual Environments

In remote work, presence is digital—camera angle, lighting, and background shape impressions. Beyond video, email tone, response speed, and meeting etiquette form a “digital body language” that directly affects trust and connection.

Building Your Nonverbal Communication Toolkit

Developing strong nonverbal skills takes consistent practice. Simple habits—like refining posture in front of a mirror, observing cues in meetings, or seeking feedback—build awareness and control that compound over time.

Leaders can accelerate progress through workshops, coaching, and self-assessments, while teams benefit from shared norms around body language and digital etiquette. Together, these practices foster cohesion, trust, and stronger collaboration.

Key Takeaways

Nonverbal communication in business is often overlooked, yet it is crucial for building trust, influence, and team cohesion. By becoming more intentional, you can elevate both how you are perceived and how effectively you connect with others

The takeaway is simple: start small. Focus on one area, practice it consistently, and then expand. Over time, these improvements compound into stronger leadership impact and clearer organizational results. 

Resources

• Mixed Signals, Berkeley Haas Magazine, 2021
• When Words Aren’t Enough: How to Excel at Nonverbal Communication, Stanford Business School, 2024
• Why Nonverbal Communication Matters in the Workplace, UC Path
• Nonverbal communication in the age of the digital workplace, Atlassian, 2023
• 5 Ways in Which Non-Verbal Communication Can Speed Up Career Growth,  Emeritus, 2025
• Nonverbal communication in the workplace: The secret to team trust, BetterUp, 2022
• Ten Things Every Manager Should Know About Nonverbal Behavior, California Management Magazine, 2021
• Four Misconceptions About Nonverbal Communication, National Library for Medicine, 2023