In the workplace, nonverbal communication often expresses as much, if not more, than words. Understanding the uses and misuses of physical gestures can make a critical difference in your professional life.

Whenever people communicate, they exchange a broad range of wordless signals. Certain physical gestures serve as cues for your intentions and signal how your listener should react.

Learning how to use nonverbal communication to your advantage is a vital skill for success in the workplace.

“Only a small percentage of communication involves actual words: 7 percent, to be exact. In fact, 55 percent of communication is visual (body language, eye contact) and 38 percent is vocal (pitch, speed, volume, tone of voice),” BusinessWeek explains. “The world’s best business communicators have strong body language: a commanding presence that reflects confidence, competence and charisma.”

A person’s posture, stance, eye contact and numerous other physical gestures all express powerful messages that can build trust, exude confidence or undermine these qualities.

Health and wellness resource Helpguide.org identifies five key ways nonverbal cues can affect interpersonal communication: 1) Repetition, which enables a single message to be delivered multiple times; 2) contradiction, which works against the intended message; 3) substitution, which replaces the overt message with a subtler alternative; 4) complementing, which reinforces or adds new dimensions to a message; and 5) accenting, which underlines or emphasizes a key part of a message.

“It is especially crucial for leaders to communicate congruently — that is, to align the spoken word with body language that supports (instead of sabotages) an intended message,” body language expert Carol Kinsey Goman writes at the Canadian Management Centre. “When nonverbal messages conflict with verbal messages, the audience becomes confused. Mixed signals have a negative effect on performance and make it almost impossible to build relationships of trust.”

How can you tell whether your nonverbal communication is expressing the idea you want it to? The following body language tips can be used to help exude confidence and build listener trust:

• Eye contact — Looking someone in the eye is a vital part of establishing respect. “Eye contact promotes understanding and honesty,” Suite101.com explains. “Oftentimes, if someone does not look the other person in the eye, there may be a feeling of insecurity or dishonesty.”
• Posture — Slouching, leaning back or rocking back and forth may communicate disinterest or a lack of concentration. “In contrast, sitting up straight and leaning in slightly tells the speaker you are interested in the communication that is occurring,” Suite101.com adds.
• Hand and arm gestures — Hand and arm movements should seem purposeful, emphasizing what is being said. “Use your hands to describe something or to add weight to a point you are trying to make,” the Positivity Blog advises. “But don’t use them too much or it might become distracting.”
• Tone of voice — Apart from the actual words being said, the intonation and pace of speech can express a great deal. “Entrepreneurs who speak in monotone will be perceived as uninspiring, while those who speak too quietly will come across as uncertain,” Entrepreneur.com explains. Speaking too quickly may also express anxiety.

It’s also important to remember that some aspects of body language are culturally specific. “In the U.S., you should grant your co-workers about one to two feet (30.48- 60.96cm) of personal space,” WiseGeek advises. “No part of your body should venture into this field, but do observe a person’s reactions. If a person backs away while you’re observing the two-foot rule, they may need a bigger space.”

While a firm handshake in the U.S. connotes confidence and respect, it may be viewed as an aggressive gesture when working in Japan or China, where bowing to a business associate is the norm.

Earlier

Top Body Language Mistakes in Job Interviews

Business Etiquette Basics in China and Japan

Resources

Body Language: A Key to Success in the Workplace
by Carmine Gallo
BusinessWeek, Feb. 14, 2007

Nonverbal Communication Skills
by Jeanne Segal, Melinda Smith and Jaelline Jaffe
Helpguide.org, September 2009

The Silent Language of Leadership
by Carol Kinsey Goman
The Canadian Management Centre, 2007

Non-Verbal Communication in the Workplace
by Heather Rothbauer-Wanish
Suite101.com, Mar. 27, 2009

18 Ways to Improve Your Body Language
by Henrik Edberg
Positivity Blog, 2009

How to Make a Powerful First Impression
by Robert Jones
Entrepreneur.com, Nov. 17, 2008

What is Appropriate Workplace Body Language?
by Tricia Ellis-Christensen
WiseGeek.com