Nonverbal Communication In Leadership

Your body speaks before you say a single word. In fact, it might be the loudest voice in the room. You’ve probably heard the “7%-38%-55% rule”: 🧠 7% of communication is words 🎤 38% is tone of voice 🧍♂️ 55% is body language But here’s the twist: that rule is misunderstood. Albert Mehrabian’s study only applies when your verbal and non-verbal cues conflict — especially when expressing emotions. Think: someone says “I’m fine”… but sounds irritated and folds their arms. We believe the body, not the words. In leadership communication, this matters enormously. Because if you say, “I’m confident we’ll hit our goals” — but your face looks tense, your posture unsure — your team won’t buy it. To be truly persuasive and trustworthy, your body language must match your message. Here are 7 practical ways to elevate your non-verbal communication: 1️⃣ Mirror Their Movements ↳ It creates instant rapport and shows empathy. 2️⃣ Move with Intention ↳ Avoid nervous fidgeting or pacing — be grounded. 3️⃣ Keep Gestures Open ↳ Uncrossed arms and visible hands signal trust. 4️⃣ Be Conscious of Your Face ↳ Your face reflects your thoughts before your words do. 5️⃣ Hold Eye Contact ↳ It shows presence, confidence, and honesty. 6️⃣ Command Your Space ↳ Sit or stand tall — posture is power. 7️⃣ Smile Authentically ↳ A genuine smile is your fastest path to connection. Non-verbal mastery isn’t about being robotic, it’s about being aligned. Because when your words, tone, and body all say the same thing? People don’t just listen, they believe. ♻️ Repost to help others become better leaders.  📌 Follow me, Oliver Aust, for daily strategies to speak like a CEO.

Freelancers, if you want to close more deals — your words aren’t enough. It’s not just what you say on a sales call… it’s what your body does. Your brain is 12.5x more likely to believe gestures over words, and 82% of first impressions are formed based on warmth and competence. In my coaching sessions, I often say: Your energy sells before your service does. Here are 7 powerful non-verbal cues you can start using today: 🔹 The Steeple Gesture — Touch fingertips lightly in a triangle shape. This projects calm authority and shows you know your stuff. 🔹 Downward Inflection — End your sentences with certainty, not like you’re seeking approval. This boosts trust in your value and pricing. 🔹 Authentic Smile — Let it reach your eyes. People buy from people they like. 🔹 Head Tilt — A subtle tilt while listening shows empathy and emotional intelligence. It humanizes you instantly. 🔹 Open Hands — Show your palms. Use gestures to emphasize key points. This builds subconscious trust. 🔹 Lower Lid Flex — Slight narrowing of the eyes while listening shows focus and seriousness. 🔹 Relaxed Posture — Keep your shoulders down and back. It signals ease, confidence, and presence. These are small tweaks — but they make a big difference. Clients often don’t remember every word you say, but they’ll always remember how you made them feel. If you’re a freelancer who wants to show up more powerfully in sales calls, I’d love to coach you on both strategy and presence. DM me “COACHING” — and let’s work on the way you lead the room. #FreelancerTips #SalesCalls

The leader leaned forward on the table, clicky pen posed to write, his legs crossed at the ankles, and said, “Kerri, this is the body language I’d most often have when starting a conversation. I feel comfortable. Can I do what feels natural?” He was in a coaching presence pilot I’m running and we had just reviewed body language - specifically the body language they’d use at the beginning of a coaching conversation. I moved a chair across from him, imagining he was my leader and how his body language would make me feel. I said, “Your body is giving me the impression you’re ready to solve a problem. And my sense is that you’d solve it for me, maybe not with me. So, if I was your employee and I had a technical or strategic problem, I might like tour body language. But if I’ve been called in for a coaching call, I don’t feel at ease. I don’t feel there is space or time for me to reflect or figure things out for myself. I’d take your physical cue and start brainstorming or solving, instead of reflecting and exploring. Now, if you uncrossed your legs, dropped the pen, and sat a little more back and asked me a question, I’d be open. And if the conversation got to a problem solving mode, and you moved forward to this gesture, I’d know you were right beside me to figure things out.” When you study leader body language, remember it’s okay to change your body to match the intention of the message. So, the start of a coaching call or presentation may look and feel physically different as you get into things. That starting gesture impacts the initial tone. Try this for yourself. Imagine you’re going to start a coaching conversation. What does your body naturally do? Do the gesture infront of some trusted advisers and peers. Ask them, “How does this gesture make you feel?” The places that make the most impact is feet placement, posture, the hands, and your eyes. Play with switching those up. The hard part is making it feel natural. So once you’ve learned how to adapt the body slightly, try assuming that pose more often until it feels natural. That will set you, and the coachee, at ease for a possibly transformative coaching conversation. #leadershipdevelopment #leaderpresence #careerstories

What do you do when you have the mic? A couple of weeks ago at the Asia Professional Speakers Singapore Speaker's Academy, Ron Kaufman shared his experience hosting a mega frisbee event. He realised that being the voice on the microphone grants you the power to set the mood in the room. I found myself in a similar situation last night. While speaking, the clicker had a mind of its own, and my slides went awry. I had a choice: I could rush to the laptop and try to solve the problem, or I could trust my team to handle it while I carried on, mic in hand. I chose the latter and made light of the situation, joking about how many facilitators it takes to fix a PowerPoint presentation. The evening went well, and I almost forgot about the hiccup until someone remarked on my "grace under fire" as I was about to leave. It got me thinking. Much like presenting in high-stakes situations, maintaining your composure is essential. Grace Under Pressure: The Art of Mastering Composure In authentic leadership, maintaining grace under fire—staying composed during stressful times—is crucial. It reflects resilience and strong character. So, how can you cultivate this grace? The answer is in mastering your body and voice cues. Here’s a roadmap: 🎯 Self-awareness: Tune into your physiological and vocal responses to stress. 🌬️ Breathing Techniques: Regulate your breathing to calm your nerves and steady your voice. 🚶 Posture: Stand tall. Your posture influences your mental state and how others perceive you. 🎙️ Voice Modulation: A calm, well-modulated voice exudes control. Practice maintaining a steady tone, especially under pressure. 🤝 Non-verbal Cues: Your body language speaks volumes. Ensure it conveys confidence and openness. 🧘 Mindfulness: Incorporate mindfulness practices to manage stress reactions better. I like to imagine my feet are like roots on the ground to steady myself. 🎭 Rehearsed Responses: Practice your verbal and non-verbal responses to challenging situations. Mastering body and voice cues isn't just about portraying a calm facade. It's about fostering a resilient core that stands firm, no matter the external storms. Embark on this self-exploration journey and empower your authentic leadership. #GraceUnderFire #AuthenticLeadership #Resilience #BodyLanguage #PublicSpeaking #LeadershipDevelopment

🤐 "Dead Air" on Zoom? It’s Not Disengagement — It’s Cultural. 🌏 Your global team is brilliant, but meetings are met with silence. You ask for input, and… nothing. It’s not that they don’t care. It’s cultural. In many cultures, challenging a leader publicly can feel disrespectful. Speaking up might risk "losing face." So, instead of collaboration, you get cautious nods, and critical ideas die quietly. 💥 The cost? Missed feedback, hidden conflicts, derailed timelines, and talent feeling unseen and unheard. But it doesn’t have to be this way. 🚀 Here’s how to encourage real participation and build trust across cultures — starting today. 1️⃣ Invite opinions privately first. Many cultures value privacy and may hesitate to disagree publicly. Before the meeting, send out an agenda and ask for input by email or private chat. This gives team members time to reflect and feel safer sharing. 2️⃣ Create "round robin" sharing moments. During the call, explicitly invite each person to share, one by one. Use phrases like: "I’d love to hear a quick insight from everyone, no wrong answers." This reduces the fear of interrupting or "stepping out of line." 3️⃣ Model vulnerability as a leader. Share your own uncertainties or challenges first. For example: "I’m not sure this is the best approach — I’d really value your perspective." When you show it’s safe to be open, your team will follow. 4️⃣ Acknowledge and validate contributions publicly. After someone shares, affirm them clearly. For example: "Thank you for that perspective — it really helps us see this from a new angle." This builds psychological safety and encourages future participation. 5️⃣ Use cultural "mirroring" techniques. Mirror verbal and non-verbal cues appropriate to different cultures (e.g., nodding, using supportive phrases). Show respect for varying communication styles instead of forcing a "one-size-fits-all" dynamic. ✨Imagine meetings where every voice is heard and your team’s full potential is unlocked. Ready to stop the silence and turn diversity into your superpower? #CulturalCompetence #GlobalLeadership #InclusiveTeams #PsychologicalSafety #CrossCulturalCommunication 

Tell me what’s wrong with this picture: ➡️ An expat CEO initiates a handshake to welcome a new Emirati colleague. ➡️ The same CEO then asks to schedule a meeting with a Saudi client on a Friday at 12 PM. ➡️ Then, this CEO speaks in a direct and confrontational way to a Filipino team member. ➡️ And then, this CEO declines to meet an Indian team member’s family that was passing by the office quickly. If reading these scenarios triggered you; imagine what the person on the receiving end is experiencing. The interesting thing is, is that if you were to remove the cultural references - These scenarios would seem innocuous. CQ, or what is also known as Cultural Intelligence, is the ability to relate and work across cultures while understanding and embracing cultural differences. Today, a lack of cultural awareness is why many senior leaders are losing the respect of their teams and damaging their reputations. CQ encompasses four key components: 1️⃣ Cognitive CQ (Knowledge) - Understanding cultural norms, practices, values and beliefs. 2️⃣ Metacognitive CQ (Strategy) - Being aware of differences and adjusting your behaviour and thinking. 3️⃣ Motivational CQ (Drive) - Demonstrating an interest in learning about other cultures. 4️⃣ Behavioural CQ (Action) - Exhibiting respectful verbal and non-verbal actions when interacting with others. All four components are necessary if you want to be known as someone who respects and encourages diversity, and understands the subtle nuances that exist between cultures. By approaching cultural differences with curiosity and humility, and genuinely asking team members to share more about their cultures and preferences - You’ll create a more inclusive work culture that fosters respect, empathy and trust. #BestAdvice #Culture #Leadership

➝ Can you be an effective communicator by only focusing on words? Effective communication goes beyond words. Here are some insightful pointers backed by research and evidence: • Nonverbal cues carry significant weight. Research by Albert Mehrabian reveals that 93% of communication is influenced by body language and tone of voice. This means the words we use are only a fraction of the message we convey. Understanding this can help us pay closer attention to our nonverbal signals. • Body language can reinforce or contradict spoken words. When our body language aligns with our words, it builds trust and clarity. However, if there’s a mismatch, it can lead to confusion and mistrust. For example, saying "I'm fine" while crossing your arms and avoiding eye contact sends mixed signals. • Facial expressions convey emotions. Universally recognized, facial expressions are powerful indicators of our true feelings. Smiling can instantly create a positive atmosphere, while frowning can indicate disapproval or concern. Being aware of these cues can help us respond more empathetically. • Gestures add emphasis and clarity. Using hand gestures can help illustrate and reinforce what we’re saying. For instance, nodding can show agreement, while open hands can signify honesty and openness. These gestures can make our communication more engaging and understandable. • Eye contact builds connection. Maintaining eye contact shows we are paying attention and value the conversation. It can make interactions more personal and meaningful, helping to build stronger relationships and better understanding. • Posture reflects confidence and openness. An open posture, such as standing tall with shoulders back, conveys confidence and approachability. Slouching or closed-off body language, like crossed arms, can make us seem defensive or uninterested. Adopting a positive posture can improve how others perceive us and how we feel about ourselves. Incorporating these nonverbal elements into your communication strategy can transform your interactions and lead to more effective and meaningful exchanges. ♻️ Find this valuable? Repost to share with others. ➝ Follow Amer Nizamuddin for more insights #leadership #personaldevelopment #nonverbalcues #wisdomquant

I was easily the shyest boy in school by a mile. But wanting to be a barrister meant that had to chance, fast. By understanding the key characteristics that academic studies have identified as central to charismatic speaking, speakers can refine their approach to deliver more impactful and memorable speeches. 1. Authenticity: The Foundation of Influence Research by Kouzes and Posner (2002) in "The Leadership Challenge" emphasizes that credibility, derived from authenticity, is the foundation of leadership. Audiences are more likely to be persuaded by speakers they perceive as genuine and honest. 2. Confidence: The Power of Presence Confidence is another key attribute of charismatic speaking, supported by a wealth of research. According to a study by Tskhay and Rule (2014), published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, confidence is often inferred by an audience from nonverbal cues, such as posture, gestures, and eye contact. The concept of "power posing," popularized by Amy Cuddy's research, also highlights how body language can influence both the speaker’s confidence and the audience’s perception of the speaker. 3. Audience Connection: Engaging with Relatability Connecting with the audience is a hallmark of charismatic speaking. Academic research highlights the importance of understanding and addressing the audience's needs. A study by Burgoon et al. (1990) on interpersonal communication found that effective speakers use adaptive communication strategies to engage their audience. This includes adjusting one’s speech based on audience feedback, which can be nonverbal (e.g., body language) or verbal. My approach in Parliament was to maintain eye contact and use inclusive language, which fostered a sense of connection and made the audience feel involved in the discourse. 4. Emotional Appeal: Harnessing the Power of Emotions The role of emotions in persuasive speaking is well-established. Research by Chaiken (1980) in the Heuristic-Systematic Model of persuasion demonstrates that emotional appeals can be more persuasive than purely logical arguments, particularly when the audience is less motivated to engage in deep processing of information. Similarly, the study by Barge and Oliver (2003) highlights how stories and metaphors, which evoke emotions, can make a message more memorable and impactful. In my speech, I utilized storytelling to humanize the policies under discussion, tapping into the audience’s emotions to create a lasting impact. 5. Vision: Inspiring Collective Action Articulating a clear and inspiring vision is essential for charismatic speaking. Research by Conger and Kanungo (1987) in their Charismatic Leadership Theory suggests that effective leaders articulate a vision that not only aligns with the audience’s values but also presents a compelling future state. This vision serves as a rallying point, inspiring collective action.

If you work in a global organization, be aware that body language meanings often differ across cultures. For example: • A firm handshake may signify confidence in one culture but come across as overly aggressive in another. • Eye contact, valued in some cultures as a sign of openness and candor, might be seen as rude or intrusive elsewhere. • An enthusiastic presentation in one culture can be viewed as overly aggressive in another. • Most emblematic gestures have cultural variances. For example, what we in the U.S. think of as a positive gesture -- the “OK” sign with thumb and forefinger together creating a circle -- has very different meanings in other countries. In France it means “worthless” or “zero.” In Japan, it stands for money. And in other parts of the world it represents a lewd or obscene comment. While acknowledging these (and other) cultural differences, also be aware that most people will have a negative reaction to your excessive fidgeting (like constantly shifting weight from side to side), aggressive gestures (like finger pointing), and harsh vocal tones. #bodylanguageforleaders #nonverbalcommunication #crossculturalbodylanguage

When our twins were little, we instituted a strict "no eye rolling" policy. We had zero tolerance for it. And I'm happy to say that they're now 24 years old and they've never rolled their eyes to our faces. (Behind our backs? I'm sure there was plenty. But I'd rather not know.) Why were we so insistent about this? Because eye rolling isn’t just a gesture. It's a message. It says, “You’re ridiculous,” “I don’t respect you,” or “What you’re saying doesn’t matter.” It’s dismissive, disrespectful, and damaging. And while it might be common for kids to do to their parents, I’ve seen it in boardrooms, Zoom meetings, and leadership teams, where it does far more harm. How you say something (tone, body language, facial expression) often has more impact than what you say. You could be delivering a valid piece of feedback or a thoughtful suggestion, but if it comes with a sigh, an eye roll, or a sarcastic tone, trust takes a hit. It's more than just eye-rolling. Constant phone checking or glancing at your watch says “This conversation isn’t worth my full attention.” Avoiding eye contact can signal discomfort, lack of confidence, or dishonesty, especially in tough conversations. And heavy sighing or dramatic exhaling communicates exasperation or impatience, making people feel like a burden. People don’t just remember your message. They remember how you made them feel while delivering it. If you’re trying to lead with integrity, influence, and inclusivity, your words need to align with your non-verbals. Otherwise, you’re likely eroding the very trust you're trying to build. #influence #inclusion #communicationskills