The Signals We Send: What Your Body Language Says Before Speaking a Word

As planning professionals, our words carry weight, especially with community members and stakeholders. Our bodies, however, are part of the conversation, too. The nonverbal cues we send determine whether others perceive us as attentive, trustworthy, approachable, confident, or empathetic. So how can we better understand the signals our voices and bodies send, and use them with greater awareness and intention? 

A Powerful Form of Communication

Long before humans developed a science and vocabulary for nonverbal communication, we used gestures, facial expressions, posture, movement, and physical proximity to convey meaning. Today, researchers consider nonverbal behavior as integral to communication, particularly in how we express emotion, establish relationships, manage impressions, and interpret the intentions of others.

Although artists and writers have used the power of the body's form to communicate for centuries, the modern study of body language is relatively recent by comparison, with Andrea De Jorio and Charles Darwin publishing close examinations of the body's expression in the 19th century. Today, the study of body language has expanded into the broader field of nonverbal communication, including eye contact, use of physical space, and vocal qualities such as tone, volume, and pace while speaking.

Researchers continue to examine how these cues shape our perceptions of others and how our own behaviors influence the way others perceive and respond to us. Nonverbal communication, in this sense, is a two-way street; for those of us in the planning profession, greater awareness of this, particularly the messages our bodies are communicating, can be an effective tool for navigating interactions with colleagues, leadership, and the communities we serve.

Observe Yourself on Mute

To get more familiar with your unique body language, a simple — if potentially uncomfortable — exercise is to record yourself speaking and then watch the recording without sound.

What do you notice when you can't hear your words? Where are you looking? What are your hands doing? Do you look engaged or distracted? Relaxed or tense? Does your body seem to support the message you are delivering?

To see how body language changes how you come across, Vinh Giang, a communication coach, demonstrates in the video below how posture, eye contact, hand gestures, and facial expressions can make a difference. 

Effective Nonverbal Communication

For effective nonverbal communication, Vanessa Van Edwards, a behavioral researcher, suggests in Cues: Master the Secret Language of Charismatic Communication, that we consider two qualities: warmth and competence. According to Van Edwards, these are foundational for effective nonverbal communication, and when they work in accordance with one another, they can help others see us as someone they can both trust and rely on.

Qualities to Consider

Warmth communicates openness, goodwill, and curiosity. It can be communicated in a multitude of ways: a genuine smile, relaxed facial expressions, open body language, and eye contact that feels attentive rather than intense. Warmth also signals that we are earnest in our interest and listening, by nodding, using a warm tone of voice, and asking thoughtful questions.

Competence conveys capability and reliability; it can be communicated by using a confident and grounded posture, making eye contact without staring, speaking clearly and at an appropriate pace, offering specific and relevant information, and staying composed when conversations become difficult.

In short, warmth creates connection, while competence builds credibility. Van Edwards contends that balancing the two is essential, as warmth without competence can make us seem kind but uncertain or ineffective, while competence without warmth can make us seem capable but distant or intimidating. Most importantly, the goal is not to simply perform either quality, but to become more intentional about the cues we are already sending with our bodies.

Putting Body Language to Work

Van Edwards explains four key aspects of body language that you can put to work to better connect with your audience.

Posture

In her guide to body language for leaders, Van Edwards recommends an open posture, keeping the hands visible, and using gestures with purpose. She also points to the value of stillness: fidgeting, swaying, or constantly shifting position can pull attention away from what is being said. That does not mean standing perfectly still or carefully planning every movement; instead, pay attention to habits that may be distracting from the message. 

Hands

Van Edwards recommends illustrator gestures, or movements that naturally reinforce what is being said. For example, hands are useful to communicate growth, compare two options, indicate a direction, or to emphasize collaboration by bringing the hands together. These gestures help the body tell the same story as our words.

Attention

Turning toward someone when they speak, nodding, and using comfortable eye contact shows engagement in a conversation. The important part is not so much mastering a specific pose as being aware of whether the body is communicating attention or distraction. For instance, if you are listening closely, but also checking notes on your laptop, the person speaking will not know your attention is with them.

Voice

Nonverbal communication also includes vocal cues such as tone, pace, volume, pitch, and pauses. This is more formally known as paralanguage. Paying attention to how quickly we speak, when we pause, and the tone we use can help what people hear in our voice match what we are trying to say.

It is important to note that there is no "right" way to stand, gesture, make eye contact, or speak. Culture, personality, ability, and context all play a role in how nonverbal cues are expressed and understood. The point is not to memorize a set of body language rules, but to get better at noticing our own.

Being Thoughtful

Becoming a better nonverbal communicator doesn't mean learning how to perform confidence or manufacture trust. It means making our nonverbal communication as thoughtful as the words we choose.

Hear more from Vanesssa Van Edwards about nonverbal communication.

Top Image: iStock/Getty Images Plus - Jacob Wackerhausen

About the Author

Dina Walters is a member of APA's prioritize equity team.