The Power of Non-Verbal Communication: What Are You Really Saying?

Have you ever felt that someone’s body said more than their words?

Maybe you sensed confidence, nervousness, or even dishonesty—without hearing a single sentence. That’s the invisible language we all speak: non-verbal communication.

Every raised eyebrow, crossed arm, and half-smile sends a message.

In this lesson, we explore how body language, eye contact, and gestures shape how others see us.

Whether you're preparing for a job interview, giving a presentation, or meeting someone new, your non-verbal cues can help—or hurt—your first impression.

Get ready to master this powerful tool.

🎥 Watch This First: 7 Body Language Tips for Charisma

📺 Watch on YouTube

Body language coach Charlie Houpert from Charisma on Command shares 7 easy, science-backed tips to look more confident and charismatic:

• Make eye contact when speaking and listening. Don’t scan the room.

• Smile naturally—especially when someone else enters the conversation.

• Avoid nervous habits like touching your face or fiddling with objects.

• Use stillness and pauses to show calm and confidence.

• Use open gestures instead of hiding your hands or crossing your arms.

• Stand or sit upright, relaxing your shoulders to project strength.

• Give full attention to the person in front of you—it builds presence and likeability.

👀 What Is Non-Verbal Communication?

Non-verbal communication includes everything you communicate without speaking:

• Posture – How you sit or stand

• Gestures – Movements of hands, head, or body

• Facial expressions – Smiles, frowns, raised eyebrows

• Eye contact – Looking into someone’s eyes (or avoiding it)

• Tone and pitch – How your voice sounds

• Distance – How close you stand to someone (also called proxemics)

When used well, non-verbal communication helps build trust, confidence, and connection. But when misused, it can create confusion or discomfort—even if your words are perfect.

✨ Interesting Facts & Stats

• Research by Dr. Albert Mehrabian found that when expressing feelings and attitudes, communication is:

  • 7% verbal (words)

  • 38% vocal tone

  • 55% body language

• Up to 90% of first impressions are influenced by appearance and body language, not words.

• People form an opinion of you in the first 7–30 seconds—often before you say anything!

• Interview success can be influenced more by posture, eye contact, and presence than by answers.

• In high-stakes negotiations, body language can account for over 60% of persuasive impact.

✅ Tips to Make a Great First Impression

Want to leave a lasting, positive impression? Try these strategies:

• Keep good posture – Stand tall, don’t slouch.

• Use open hand gestures – Keep hands visible and expressive.

• Smile genuinely – A relaxed smile improves approachability.

• Make eye contact – Aim for 3–5 seconds at a time.

• Don’t fidget – Avoid tapping fingers or shifting too much.

• Avoid blocking your body – Don’t cross arms, hold bags in front of you, or hide behind objects.

And most importantly: be present. Focus your attention on the person you’re speaking with, not your phone or surroundings.

🌍 Body Language Across Cultures

Non-verbal communication is powerful—but it isn’t universal. A thumbs-up means “great” in many places, but it can be rude in parts of the Middle East. Maintaining eye contact is seen as confident in Western cultures but disrespectful in some Asian contexts.

When interacting internationally, observe others first, and be ready to adjust. What seems confident in one country could feel aggressive in another.

🗂️ Vocabulary Builder

Words in this list appear in bold in the blog post:

• Body language – the non-verbal ways we communicate using our body

• Posture – how you hold your body while sitting or standing

• Fidget – to move your hands, fingers, or feet in a nervous way

• Eye contact – looking directly into someone’s eyes

• Charisma – personal charm that makes people like and trust you

• Approachable – friendly and easy to talk to

• Trustworthy – someone you can rely on or believe in

• Gesture – a movement that expresses an idea or feeling

• Slouch – to sit or stand in a lazy or drooped way

• Presence – the ability to command attention through appearance or behavior

📚 Reading Comprehension Quiz

• What percentage of emotional communication comes from body language?

• What does eye contact usually communicate?

• Why is fidgeting often seen negatively in conversation?

• How does posture affect your first impression?

• Which word means someone is easy to talk to?

• Why should you avoid crossing your arms in a conversation?

• What’s one tip Charlie gives to show charisma?

✅ Quiz Answers

• 55%

• Confidence, presence, and trust

• It shows nervousness or distraction

• Good posture shows confidence; slouching reduces authority

• Approachable

• It makes you seem defensive or closed

• Stay present and use calm, open hand gestures

💬 Discussion Prompts

• Do you pay attention to your own body language in meetings or interviews?

• What non-verbal habits do you want to change or improve?

• How do people in your country show confidence non-verbally?

• Have you ever misread someone’s body language or been misread?

• What do you think is the most powerful body language signal?

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