This article was originally published in 2023 and updated in 2025 to keep our readers up-to-date with the latest in organisational performance and team dynamics.
Nonverbal communication plays a powerful role in how we interact with others. While words convey information, much of the meaning comes through nonverbal messages—our tone, gestures, posture, and facial expressions. Research shows nonverbal cues account for a significant portion of how messages are interpreted.
What is nonverbal communication?
Nonverbal communication involves conveying messages or signals without words, using methods like eye contact (oculesics), body language (kinesics), personal space (proxemics), touch (haptics), and tone of voice (prosody and paralanguage). Nonverbal communication can also involve the use of the physical environment and objects.
It complements verbal communication and helps convey emotions, build relationships, and improve interpersonal communication. Mastering these nonverbal behaviours can help you share information more effectively and connect better in professional settings.
What does the research tell us about nonverbal communication?
Albert Mehrabian’s research found that words contribute only 7% to the impact of communication in certain situations, while tone of voice (38%) and nonverbal cues (55%) play a larger role. Many cite this statistic, however, his research focused on feelings and attitudes in specific contexts. In everyday personal and professional settings, effective communication requires a combination of both verbal and nonverbal elements.
What are the types of nonverbal communication?
Nonverbal communication shows up in many ways, each with its own role in how we connect with others and understand what’s being said.
1. Kinesics: Body language, gestures and facial expressions
Body language includes physical movements, postures and gestures. Nods, hand movements, and facial expressions reveal emotions, attitudes and engagement. Hand gestures convey meanings or messages, varying with culture and situation. They typically involve specific hand and finger positions.
Facial expressions play a vital role in nonverbal communication. They express emotions like happiness, sadness, surprise, anger and concern through smiles, frowns, raised eyebrows and eye rolls. In professional settings, a genuine smile builds rapport and a positive atmosphere, reflecting warmth, friendliness, confidence and approachability. Maintaining a neutral and attentive facial expression while listening shows active engagement and values others’ input, promoting open communication.
Together, our posture, gestures, movements, and facial expressions indicate confidence, interest or disinterest and open body language helps others feel at ease. Cultural differences in interpreting facial expressions must be considered for effective cross-cultural communication.
- What it is: Posture, gestures, and facial expressions that speak without words.
- Examples: A firm handshake shows confidence, while slouching can seem disengaged.
- Tip: Use open, relaxed body language—sit up straight, nod naturally, and avoid crossing your arms to appear approachable and engaged.
2. Proxemics: Proximity and personal space
Personal space refers to the physical distance between individuals during a conversation. Different cultures have varying norms for personal space, so it’s crucial to be aware of and respect these boundaries, particularly in diverse professional environments. Invading someone’s personal space can make them uncomfortable or threatened, hindering effective communication. Conversely, maintaining an appropriate distance demonstrates respect and consideration for their comfort.
- What it is: The physical space between people during face-to-face interactions.
- Examples: Standing too close can feel intrusive, while too much distance may seem disengaged.
- Tip: Adjust your personal space based on the context to ensure comfort and effective communication.
3. Haptics: Touch
Haptics refers to touch as a form of communication. It explores how physical contact, such as handshakes, hugs, pats, or other tactile gestures, conveys messages and emotions in interpersonal interactions. Haptics can reflect intimacy, trust, authority, or cultural norms.
- What it is: Communicating through touch.
- Examples: A supportive pat on the back or a firm handshake signals encouragement or confidence.
- Tip: Be thoughtful when using touch in professional settings to ensure it’s appropriate.
4. Chronemics: Use of time
Chronemics is the study of how time is used in communication. It examines how individuals and cultures value and interpret time in social interactions, including punctuality, response time, scheduling, and the pace of conversations. Chronemics play a significant role in shaping relationships and reflect cultural norms and personal attitudes toward time.
- What it is: How time is managed and perceived during communication.
- Examples: Being punctual reflects professionalism, while consistent lateness can harm your reliability.
- Tip: Prioritise timeliness to build trust and show respect for others’ time.
5. Paralanguage: Voice, tone and pitch
Voice tone and inflection are how we use our voice when we speak. It involves changes in pitch, volume and rhythm. Tone of voice shows the emotion or attitude behind our words, while inflection is the rise and fall of pitch in a sentence. Voice tone and inflection play a big role in how others interpret and understand our message. They add emphasis, convey emotions and give more meaning to our words.
- What it is: How you say something—your tone, pitch, and volume—shapes how messages are received.
- Examples: A calm tone diffuses tension while speaking too loudly can sound aggressive.
- Tip: Use a clear, confident tone to convey authority and stay intentional during virtual meetings.
Why nonverbal communication matters in the workplace
Nonverbal behaviours play a key role in boosting employee engagement and creating a positive work environment. When leaders and colleagues project open body language, genuine smiles, and active listening, it fosters trust and makes employees feel valued. Simple actions like maintaining eye contact during conversations or nodding in agreement can encourage team members to contribute ideas, creating a space where collaboration thrives.
By being intentional with nonverbal cues, you can build stronger relationships and create a more inclusive, supportive workplace. Here are 4 reasons why nonverbal communication matters in the workplace:
1. Nonverbal communication builds trust and rapport
Nonverbal cues are important for establishing trust and rapport with colleagues, clients and superiors. Nonverbal communication examples like positive body language, attentive listening and appropriate eye contact help create a sense of connection. By being approachable, actively listening and respecting personal space, you can promote a positive team dynamic.
2. Nonverbal communication conveys confidence and authority
Leaders who master nonverbal cues inspire confidence, build trust and foster a positive work environment. Strong nonverbal communication skills enable leaders to motivate and influence others while projecting confidence and authority. Your posture, gestures and tone of voice greatly impact how others perceive your competence and professionalism.
3. Nonverbal communication enhances active listening
By observing the speaker’s body language and facial expressions, you can better comprehend their message and respond appropriately. This shows your engagement and improves communication. Nonverbal communication is also valuable in diffusing conflicts and promoting understanding. By conveying empathy through nonverbal cues, you can establish a safe and open environment for resolving disagreements.
4. Nonverbal communication helps with conflict resolution
Use nonverbal communication as part of your conflict resolution strategy—it’s a powerful way to defuse tension and promote understanding. A calm tone of voice, relaxed posture, and empathetic facial expressions can shift the energy in difficult conversations, encouraging open dialogue and resolution.
Interpreting cultural nuances and bridging cultural gaps through nonverbal cues
In multicultural teams, understanding cultural differences in nonverbal communication is essential for effective management. Nonverbal communication helps bridge cultural gaps by creating connections and reducing misunderstandings in diverse settings.
Edward T Hall, a prominent researcher in intercultural communication, highlights the impact of culture on communication. For example, high-context cultures rely heavily on nonverbal cues, while low-context cultures emphasise verbal communication. Handshakes are common in many Western, low-context, countries, while bows are prevalent in many Eastern, high-context, cultures. Eye contact during negotiations signals confidence in the United States, but in Southeast Asian cultures, prolonged eye contact can feel confrontational or disrespectful. Professional attire can signal respect and credibility but varies globally—while Western workplaces favour business suits, cultures in regions like India or Africa may incorporate traditional, vibrant clothing as a mark of professionalism.
Individuals who receive cultural training before working abroad tend to achieve greater success compared to those without such preparation. To prevent misunderstandings and adapt effectively, it’s important to understand cultural differences in body language, gestures and personal space. By adapting your nonverbal cues to cultural contexts, you can build stronger, more respectful connections and navigate global interactions with confidence.
Common misunderstandings about nonverbal communication
Here are some powerful nonverbal messages that can often be misinterpreted:
- “Crossed arms always mean defensiveness”: Sometimes it’s just a sign of being cold, tired, or comfortable.
- “Smiling means someone is happy”: People often smile to mask discomfort, defuse tension, or be polite, even when they aren’t feeling joyful.
- “Silence equals agreement”: Pauses in conversation can reflect contemplation or uncertainty, rather than silent approval.
Recognising that nonverbal cues don’t always mean the same thing helps you approach interactions with an open mind, adapt to different situations, and respond thoughtfully. This awareness leads to clearer communication, stronger relationships, and fewer misunderstandings in the workplace.
11 tips for improving your nonverbal communication skills in the workplace
Here are actionable techniques to improve your ability to convey information effectively:
1. Observe and learn from others
Observing the cues, body language, facial expressions and gestures of others and how they align with their words. Identify effective communicators and analyse what makes their nonverbal communication impactful.
2. Practice self-awareness
Be aware of your own cues, body posture, facial expressions and tone of voice during interactions and consciously adjust as needed.
3. Read body language
Watch for signs like tapping fingers, glancing at the clock, or constantly shifting positions, which may suggest impatience or restlessness. In contrast, maintaining a steady posture, mirroring gestures, or offering a natural smile often indicates connection, agreement, and attentiveness.
4. Improve eye contact
Maintain steady but natural eye contact during conversations to show attentiveness and confidence. Avoid staring, and balance direct eye contact with subtle glances to keep conversations comfortable. On the other hand, avoiding eye contact can create the impression of disinterest or lack of confidence.
5. Refine facial expressions
Your facial expressions say a lot. A natural smile fosters trust, while furrowed brows or blank stares can send mixed signals. Practice maintaining a calm, engaged look when listening.
6. Use hand gestures thoughtfully
Use gestures to highlight important points or clarify concepts but avoid excessive or distracting body movements that can take away from your message. Purposeful hand gestures clarify and emphasise key points. Avoid fidgeting or overusing movements, as they can distract from your message.
7. Be mindful of personal space
Maintain appropriate physical distance to avoid discomfort. In diverse settings, consider cultural norms to ensure respectful and effective communication.
8. Be mindful of nonverbal communication in virtual settings
In virtual settings, remember to maintain eye contact by looking directly into the camera. Be mindful of your facial expressions and use suitable hand gestures to reinforce your message. Make sure your tone of voice is clear and expressive, as it becomes even more important in the absence of physical presence.
9. Maintain good posture
Mirror or keep your body aligned with the person you’re communicating with by standing or sitting up straight. Avoid slouching or crossing your arms, as these postures can convey disinterest or defensiveness.
10. Pay attention to tone of voice
In professional settings, strike a balance between assertiveness and respect. A confident and well-modulated voice commands attention, establishes authority and engages your audience. Practice speaking with clarity and confidence, adjusting your pitch and pace to fit the conversation, being mindful of speaking too softly or loudly, as it can weaken your message.
11. Consider dress and appearance
It’s not just about appearance; it’s about how others perceive you. Dressing appropriately for professional settings shows respect and professionalism. Taking care of personal grooming and maintaining a tidy appearance strengthens a positive impression.
Bringing it all together with Whole Brain® Thinking
Mastering nonverbal communication is about more than posture or gestures—it’s about understanding how people think, connect, and interpret unspoken cues.
Whole Brain® Thinking and the HBDI® (Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument) can help you recognise diverse thinking preferences, enabling teams to communicate more effectively and adapt to different styles. By applying these insights, you can better interpret nonverbal signals, improve collaboration, and build stronger, more inclusive connections—no matter how diverse your team or workplace environment.
Ready to improve workplace communication and build stronger connections? Get in touch with Herrman and learn how you can transform the way your team communicates, collaborates, and succeeds.
If you want to learn more about how Whole Brain® Thinking and the HBDI® can help you and your organisation, have a look at how it works here or get in touch and we’ll help you find the right solution.

FAQs about nonverbal communication
1. What is nonverbal communication?
Nonverbal communication is the process of conveying messages through nonverbal cues. It includes body language (kinesics), tone of voice (paralanguage), facial expressions, personal space (proxemics), touch (haptics), and other signals like physical appearance or gestures.
2. What are the 5 types of nonverbal communication?
- Kinesics: Body language, gestures, posture, and facial expressions.
- Proxemics: Personal space and physical distance during interactions.
- Haptics: Communicating through touch, such as handshakes or pats on the back.
- Chronemics: How time is used, including punctuality and response time.
- Paralanguage: Tone of voice, pitch, volume, and speech inflection.
3. What is the 7%-38%-55% rule?
The 7%-38%-55% rule, introduced by researcher Albert Mehrabian, suggests that communication is broken down as follows:
- 7% verbal (words used)
- 38% tone of voice
- 55% body language and facial expressions
This rule highlights the importance of nonverbal cues, especially when communicating feelings and attitudes.
4. What percentage of communication is nonverbal?
Studies suggest that between 70% and 93% of communication is nonverbal, depending on the context. Nonverbal cues—like tone of voice, gestures, and facial expressions—often carry more meaning than words alone.
5. Why is nonverbal communication important?
Nonverbal communication is vital because it:
- Builds trust and strengthens relationships.
- Helps convey emotions and attitudes more effectively.
- Enhances verbal messages for clearer understanding.
- Plays a critical role in leadership, collaboration, and conflict resolution in professional settings.
6. What is the purpose of nonverbal communication?
The purpose of nonverbal communication is to complement, enhance, or sometimes replace verbal communication. It helps convey emotions, build connections, clarify messages, and interpret unspoken thoughts or intentions.
7. How does culture affect nonverbal communication?
Cultural norms heavily influence nonverbal communication. For example:
- Handshakes are common in the West, but in Japan, bowing is the preferred greeting.
- In Middle Eastern cultures, using the left hand for gestures or handshakes can be considered impolite, whereas in other regions, it holds no specific meaning.
- Nodding often means agreement in Western countries, but in countries like Bulgaria or parts of India, a nod can mean the opposite—disagreement or uncertainty.
8. How effective is nonverbal communication?
Nonverbal communication is highly effective when aligned with verbal communication. It adds context, emotion, and clarity to messages, making interactions more meaningful. However, mixed signals—like saying one thing but showing a different expression—can confuse the message.
9. How do you improve nonverbal communication?
To improve nonverbal communication:
- Be self-aware of your posture, gestures, and facial expressions.
- Practice maintaining natural eye contact.
- Adjust your tone of voice to match the message.
- Observe and learn from effective communicators.
- Be mindful of cultural differences in nonverbal cues.
10. What are some examples of nonverbal communication?
Some examples of nonverbal communication include:
- A firm handshake (confidence)
- Nodding while someone speaks (engagement)
- Maintaining eye contact during a conversation (attentiveness)
- Smiling naturally (friendliness)
- Adjusting tone of voice to sound calm or assertive
11. Is tone nonverbal communication?
Yes, tone of voice is part of nonverbal communication. It includes pitch, volume, and inflection, which convey emotions, attitudes, and intentions beyond the words being spoken.
12. Is body language nonverbal communication?
Yes, body language is a key form of nonverbal communication. It includes gestures, posture, facial expressions, and physical movements, all of which convey messages and emotions without words.