The Importance of Non-Verbal Communication

Updated 2025 

Authored by: Jerry Balistreri, MS, M.Ed., DTE, a professional educator, administrator, author, and trainer with more than 30 years of experience training, researching, writing, and speaking on non-verbal communication. To learn more visit http://www.readingthetells.com.

Non-verbal communication (NVC) plays a critical role in how we convey messages, build trust, and succeed professionally. A pioneering UCLA study found that up to 93% of communication effectiveness is determined by non-verbal cues (Mehrabian, 1971). Another study found that people trusted nonverbal messages more than verbal ones (Zuckerman, DePaulo, and Rosenthal, 1981).

For administrative professionals, nonverbal communication powers effective collaboration, leadership, and workplace success. Whether you’re interacting with executives, colleagues, or clients, understanding nonverbal cues in the workplace can help you navigate conversations with confidence. 

What is Nonverbal Communication?

Nonverbal communication refers to all forms of communication that do not involve words, such as:

• Facial Expressions: A smile, frown, or raised eyebrow reveal emotions 

• Body Language: Posture, gestures, and movements can signal confidence or uncertainty

• Eye Contact: Maintaining or avoiding eye contact can indicate honesty, nervousness, or interest

• Tone of Voice: The way something is said often carries more weight than the words themselves

• Personal Space: How close or far someone stands can indicate comfort levels and social norms

Nonverbal Communication in the Workplace

In professional settings, nonverbal cues help you gauge reactions, build rapport, and enhance leadership presence. Consider these common workplace scenarios:

Meetings and Presentations

• Can you tell who is engaged, distracted, or eager to speak?

• Are you picking up on nonverbal cues that indicate disagreement or confusion?

Hiring and Interviews

• Are job candidates truly interested, or are they just looking for a paycheck?

• Is the hiring manager subtly signaling approval or disinterest?

Negotiations and Client Relations

• Can you detect if a client is hesitant about an agreement?

• Are subtle body language shifts indicating hidden concerns?

Conflict Resolution

• Is a colleague holding back frustration?

• Are team members comfortable expressing their opinions?

Understanding First Impressions

First impressions happen in an instant. A study by Princeton psychologists Janine Willis and Alexander Todorov found that people form opinions about others in just one-tenth of a second based on facial expressions. Another study from Carleton University suggests that first impressions can be made in as little as one-twentieth of a second. This underscores the power of nonverbal communication in shaping perceptions.

Body Language in Job Interviews

Job interviews are a prime example of how nonverbal communication influences decision-making. A candidate’s posture, eye contact, and handshake often determine their credibility and confidence before they even answer a question. Likewise, interviewers give away nonverbal cues about their interest in a candidate’s responses.

Applying Nonverbal Communication in Daily Life

Outside of work, reading nonverbal cues can enhance personal relationships, negotiations, and everyday interactions. Consider these situations:

• On a Date: Is the other person leaning in with interest or pulling away?

• During a Disagreement: A friend crosses their arms. Are they feeling defensive?

• At a Social Gathering: Who appears open to conversation versus uninterested?

• Hiring a Service Professional: Are they avoiding eye contact when discussing pricing?

Practice This Exercise to Sharpen Your Skills

Want to put your skills to the test? Try this simple exercise the next time you have a service provider visit your home:

1. Observe a service provider: When greeting someone like a repair technician or salesperson, pay attention to their walking gait, arm movements, and eye contact

2. Engage in conversation: Listen to their tone, speech speed, and how they maintain eye contact

3. Look for changes: As the discussion shifts to costs or service details, note any deviations in their behavior

4. Assess their credibility: Do they appear confident and consistent, or do shifts in their body language suggest hesitation or deception?

Strengthen Your Professional Presence

People who excel at non-verbal communication skills go further, faster in their careers. Administrative professionals who can recognize body language in interviews, meetings, and daily interactions, you’ll build trust, increase influence, and project confidence in any setting. 

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