The Power of Nonverbal Communication: Examples and How to Use Them
Nonverbal communication is interacting with people without speaking. It includes body language, gestures, facial expressions, tone of voice, and posture, used for conveying information without words. Nonverbal communication is important because it illustrates information and emotions.
As the saying goes: The most important things in communication are the things you don’t hear, but see. Understanding non-verbal communication - such as body language, facial expressions, and gestures - can significantly enhance interpersonal interactions. Nonverbal communication is frequently unintentional but may reveal a great deal about individuals and situations, even though most of us are aware of it and utilize it frequently.
In this post, we’ll break down the different types of nonverbal communication and their use in the workplace. Let’s take a look at real-life nonverbal communication examples.
Effective communication and identification of nonverbal cues when having meetings or hot discussions are essential. We often try to hide our emotions, feelings, and ideas but our bodies still send some subtle messages. Establishing relationships on a professional and personal level requires effective communication abilities.
Verbal communication and nonverbal communication are the two main categories and this blog will focus mainly on the non-verbal aspect of communication. Let’s take a look at them below.
But why are these nonverbal cues so important to identify? Body language is an essential part of communication. The way you move, sound, or hold yourself can instantly shape how others see you. With the right nonverbal signals, you can put people at ease, create trust, and draw them closer. On the other hand, poor body language can cause discomfort or even leave a negative impression.
These silent cues are a key part of communication that is important not only in personal relationships with family, friends, or partners, but also in your professional life. In business, managers and leaders who are aware of nonverbal communication gain a clear advantage.
This awareness helps them to:
- Express ideas, emotions, and opinions more effectively
- Connect with colleagues on a deeper level
- Build lasting professional relationships
- Strengthen trust and reduce misunderstandings
For anyone leading a team or working with multiple stakeholders, mastering body language and other nonverbal skills can become one of the most valuable tools for clear and confident communication.
In fact, much of nonverbal communication can be trained. With practice, books, and workshops, anyone can improve posture, gestures, and voice control to express emotions like joy, confidence, empathy, or even frustration without saying a word. That’s why many professionals today invest in courses to sharpen these skills and make their communication more effective.
Examples of Nonverbal Communication
There are numerous examples of nonverbal communication. In this article, we are going to focus on ten main types that we believe are important.
1. Facial Expressions
One important thing that many people are not aware of is that facial expressions are universal. If you have watched the series Lie to Me, you already know that there are seven basic emotions.
These are sadness, anger, disgust, fear, surprise, contempt, and happiness. Even though our cultures can shape our worldviews and behaviors, facial expressions are universal throughout the world.
There are over 50 studies that have shown that these facial expressions are spontaneous and cannot be consciously controlled. Further research discovered micro-expressions, which are different from macro or facial expressions.
When we are happy, fearful, or sad in the presence of our closest ones, we do not have any reason to take them back or hide them. However, when we go through different events, we might be tempted to do this. For example, in the case of a public speaking situation, fear, shame, anxiety, and other negative emotions creep through your body. You will be tempted to hide them because of what people may think about you.
No matter how much we think that we can hide our feelings, they come to the surface in the way of microexpressions. They are difficult to identify and you need training and exercise because they are quick and fleeting.
As a business owner, learn to effectively deliver and interpret facial expressions. When you work with customers, it often helps to have a so-called “poker face.” You might hear things you don’t like, and you have to control how you respond to them. On the other hand, you also have to read your customers’ facial expressions. They’re clues into how a customer feels, and they help you navigate tense situations and capitalize on opportunities to upsell.
Facial expressions can tell people exactly how we’re feeling.
2. Gestures
Gestures are the physical movements we use to convey messages. Gestures provide more information about a topic or reinforce how we feel. For example, if I want you to look at something behind you, I might point at it.
There are many types of gestures. We all know that some of them are deliberate, such as waving or pointing, while others are not.
For example, there are adapting gestures such as touching some body parts, rings, clicking pens, and so on. They are often displayed when someone is in distress. During a presentation, you can notice that some speakers will adopt this kind of gesture.
There are also illustrator gestures, maybe one of the most natural ones. They are used subconsciously and illustrate the verbal message. When you talk to customers, try to use gestures for information, not emotion. Gestures are great for clarifying details but can also escalate how we feel.
3. Posture and Movement
Posture is one of the first things people see when they speak with you. Posture is how you position your body when someone is speaking. For example, if I stand with my arms crossed, I’m less approachable than if I put them by my side. When they’re crossed, I might signal to others that I’m anxious, uncomfortable, or unsure about the situation.
Posture and movement are key factors of body language. Most people will adopt comforting behaviors or actions during stressful moments.
Posture and movement can tell you how someone is feeling. For example, an arm-crossed posture sends the message that you are not open to new ideas or solutions. Or, the leg-crossed posture is known as a posture of defiance and defensiveness. Posture and movement send information about attitude.
A more positive or “open” posture might be to rest your arms by your sides. Tilt your chin up and stand (or sit) up straight, facing the person you’re speaking to.
4. Paralinguistics
Nonverbal communication is a broad field that includes all the subtleties of our bodies. Paralinguistics is represented by your tone of voice, pitch, loudness, and inflection.
Think about how the meaning of a sentence can be changed just by how you pronounce and articulate different words. Misunderstandings can arise from small things, like not hearing a word correctly.
For example, the words affect and effect have different meanings, but sound very similar. Fortunately, in most cases, we can use context and body language to discern between the two.
You can identify how the other is feeling just by carefully listening to what and how he presents his ideas. A cold tone of voice is related to negative emotions, while a warm one to more positive ones.
While it might seem odd to include these in a list of nonverbal communication examples, remember this: Your tone isn’t what you say but how you say it. It’s the inflections in your voice that convey emotion. For example, I would take a deeper, professional tone if I wanted to be serious. Volume also makes a difference. If you’re loud, you might come across as aggressive or obnoxious. When working with customers, it’s best to take a professional tone. As customer relationships grow, you can adapt your approach to be more friendly and conversational.
5. Eye Gazing
Eyes are the window to the soul. And they never lie. We all know this. Eye contact is used in a conversation by everyone because it helps you gather information. It also helps you get feedback from the environment and notice the body language of your interlocutor.
However, eye contact helps us establish a connection with others. I have learned during my practice as a psychology student that when people gaze, I must not interrupt them. Gazing means that someone is deep thinking. Eye contact means that someone is ready to communicate and to listen to you.
Eyes can also be used to send different signals as well. Depending on the culture and society you live in, prolonged eye contact can send a signal of intimidation. Or, in another context, flirting.
Nevertheless, eyes can help someone establish a rapport or connection. And this is so important in the life of a businessman or manager. Eye contact shows people you’re listening and that you respect what they have to say. If you don’t maintain it, you might seem distracted or uncomfortable with the customer. Instead, maintain a comfortable level of eye contact throughout the conversation. Try not to stare, and nod your head in agreement to show you’re listening.
6. Appearance
Nonverbal communication is also thought to be facilitated by the colors we wear, the clothes we dress up in, the haircuts we have, and other physical characteristics.
Research into the psychology of color shows that different colors can evoke different emotions. Physiological reactions, judgments, and conclusions can all be influenced by appearance.
Just consider all the rapid and subconscious judgments you make about people based solely on their appearance. Because first impressions matter, experts advise job seekers to dress professionally for interviews with potential employers as well.
Culture has a big impact on how people evaluate appearances. While being thin is often admired in Western culture, certain African societies associate fuller figures with better social standing, wealth, and health.
7. Artifacts
Other means of nonverbal communication include objects and imagery. You might choose an avatar in an online forum, for instance, to represent your identity there and to share information about who you are and what you like.
People frequently invest a lot of effort in creating an image for themselves and surrounding themselves with items that serve as symbols of the things that are significant to them.
For instance, uniforms can be used to send a great deal of personal information. A security guard will wear a uniform, a doctor will wear a white lab coat, and a student may wear a specific uniform to represent a certain school.
These costumes make it clear to onlookers what a person does for a living or where they belong.
Artifacts like uniforms can communicate profession or affiliation.
8. Personal Space
Have you ever experienced awkwardness during a conversation because the other person was intruding on your personal space? Although our needs for physical space vary depending on culture, circumstance, and the depth of the relationship, we are all there.
Physical space can be used to convey a variety of nonverbal cues, such as expressions of closeness and sympathy, dominance, or hostility. The typical conversational distance for Americans is between an arm’s length and four feet.
In American society, having less room can lead to either increased intimacy or hostile conduct. A person who has had their personal space invaded by another may feel intimidated as a result and may respond defensively.
Distancing refers to how far you stand away from someone. In customer interactions, if you’re too far away, you’ll look uninvested. While it depends on where you are and who you’re talking with, it’s best practice to remain two or three feet away from the person you’re talking to.
9. Visual Communication
Visual communication is any form of professional communication that relies on visual aids. For instance, we use a red sign to signify “danger,” a skull between two pieces of bone arranged crosswise to symbolize “hazard,” and an image of a lit cigarette with a cross on it to imply “no smoking.”
Common techniques also include icons, infographics, and color-coded signals, which can simplify complex ideas for immediate understanding.
In business, visual communication - through charts, graphs, and diagrams - enhances presentations and improves comprehension across different audiences. By integrating these elements, communicators can make their messages more memorable and overcome language barriers by using universally recognized symbols to reinforce key points.
Sometimes, imagery helps us share our message. Like on social media, we’ll use pictures or graphics to support our point. For example, the person in this photo is holding a poster for a basketball team. From this image alone, we know this is a Boston Celtics fan rooting against the Miami Heat.
10. Environment
The psychological and physical aspects of the synchronous communication setting also fall under the environment. The setting is a crucial component of the dynamic communication process, more so than the desks and chairs in an office. One’s perspective of their surroundings affects how they respond to them.
For instance, Google is renowned for its work environment, which includes areas designed for physical activity and even 24-hour in-house food service. Although the cost is unquestionably high, Google’s actions speak for themselves. The outcomes achieved in the setting intended to promote contact, collaboration, and innovation are worthwhile.
Cultural Considerations in Nonverbal Communication
It's important to note that nonverbal communication can vary significantly across cultures. What is considered polite or appropriate in one culture may be offensive in another. Here are a few examples:
- Some cultures (e.g. some American Indian) are comfortable with long periods of silence while others are fast paced.
- While European Americans typically encourage members to look people in the eye when speaking to them, some others may consider this disrespectful or impolite (e.g., some Asian and Native American groups). Some Muslim groups may consider eye contact inappropriate between men and women.
- Some cultures value stoicism (e. g. British), while others encourage open expressions of feelings, such as sorrow, pain, or joy. Elders from some backgrounds may laugh or smile to mask negative or other emotions (e.g.
- Bodily gestures can be easily misinterpreted based on what is considered culturally appropriate. Individuals from some cultures may consider some types of finger pointing or other typical American hand gestures or body postures disrespectful or obscene (e.g. Filipino, Chinese, Iranian), while others may consider vigorous hand shaking as a sign of aggression (e.g. some American Indian) or a gesture of good will (e.g. European).
- While physical touch is an important form of non-verbal communication, the etiquette of touch is highly variable across and within cultures.
Being aware of these differences can help prevent misunderstandings and foster better communication with people from different backgrounds.
Nonverbal Communication in Customer Service
Nonverbal communication plays a crucial role in customer service. As a business owner, nonverbal communication is vital for customer service. Details like body language, tone, and facial expressions provide insight into how customers feel.
If you want to have positive conversations with customers, it starts with nonverbal communication. They’ll notice your posture and facial expressions before you even speak. The more mindful you can be of these actions, the better your conversations will be. The right communication is vital to your success as a small business.
Here are some tips for improving nonverbal communication in customer service:
- Maintain a positive and open posture.
- Make appropriate eye contact to show you are listening.
- Use a warm and friendly tone of voice.
- Be mindful of personal space.
- Use gestures to clarify information, not to express emotion.
Here’s a table summarizing the key aspects of nonverbal communication and their impact on customer service:
| Aspect of Nonverbal Communication | Impact on Customer Service | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Posture | Conveys approachability and openness. | Standing with arms crossed can make you seem unapproachable. |
| Facial Expressions | Reflects emotions and helps understand customer feelings. | Smiling shows friendliness and willingness to help. |
| Eye Contact | Shows attentiveness and respect. | Avoiding eye contact can make you seem distracted or uninterested. |
| Tone of Voice | Influences the perception of your message. | Using a calm and friendly tone can de-escalate tense situations. |
| Gestures | Clarifies information and reinforces understanding. | Pointing to a specific product feature can help explain its benefits. |
| Distancing | Affects comfort and perception of investment. | Maintaining a comfortable distance shows respect for personal space. |
Improving Your Nonverbal Communication Skills
One way to improve your own communication skills is to be more aware of nonverbal signals you either send or receive. These signals can be positive or negative. Think about how someone’s face looks when you are talking. What tone of voice is used? What messages are you sending with the way you are standing or sitting?
One more thing you can do to learn more about nonverbal communication is to be an observer. Watch people involved in conversations, either in real life or on television. Pay attention to the body language of the listener and consider how their actions affects the speaker. Look over the list of positive and negative face, voice and body. Becoming more aware of nonverbal communication can help you to be a more effective communicator.
In turn, it may improve your relationships, as you are more able to convey honest, genuine messages. Your words more closely match your face, voice and body. Effective communication helps to build trust and respect. It helps people learn more about each other’s feelings, thoughts, and common interests.
By paying attention to non-verbal communication cues, you can become more adept at reading social situations and adjusting your behavior accordingly. This skill not only helps you make stronger connections but also makes the process of supporting and helping others more natural and empathetic.