The Power of Body Language: How Effective is Your Communication?

Communication is at the heart of human relationships. Not limited to the coded form of spoken or written word, it's also expressed through the subtleties of body language. In the corporate environment, face-to-face meetings are still considered the most effective form of communication, as they reduce noise and allow us to capture nuances beyond verbal discourse.

While it's entirely possible to build strong teams through virtual relationships, in-person interaction offers numerous performance-related benefits, including strengthening bonds and fostering empathy. A whole perception of the individual helps personalize and deepen human connections. In Cues: Master the Secret Language of Charismatic Communication, Vanessa Van Edwards highlights research showing that nonverbal cues account for between 65% and 90% of our communication.

In project management, communication skills are at the top of the list of so-called power skills — one of the three pillars of the Project Management Institutes's well-known Talent Triangle, alongside Ways of Working and Business Acumen. In the 2023 PMI Pulse of the Profession, "Communication" appears among the four most valued skills.

Therefore, communicating goes beyond speaking or writing clearly: body language conveys confidence, competence, and credibility — indispensable traits to engage and inspire. Facial expressions, for example, are highly revealing — and often the only visible part in virtual interactions. They can signal feelings such as calm, fear, anger, or self-confidence. Crossed arms around the body may suggest discomfort or defensiveness. A mismatch between verbal and physical language can reveal hidden emotions, while synergy between both channels contributes to a more accurate and authentic message.

Last year, I had the opportunity to attend Vanessa Van Edwards' talk at the PMI Global Summit, titled "Charismatic Communication." She emphasized that great leaders are, above all, charismatic — and share two key traits: a balance between warmth and competence. According to Vanessa, 82% of our impression of someone is formed by physical and vocal cues.

Her book mentioned above, Cues, is a thought-provoking resource for reflecting on how we encode and decode signals. She categorizes them into four channels: nonverbal, vocal, verbal, and visual. Vanessa also explains how our emotions are contagious. She dives deeply into body language (such as arm and leg positioning), facial expressions (like smiling and eye contact), posture, and spatial presence. One curious fact she shares is that hands communicate more than the face — some gestures can transmit up to 400% more information.

That's why being able to self-assess the signals we emit is a valuable exercise. This practice can improve how we present ourselves — and, interestingly, also influence our behavior. Amy Cuddy explores this phenomenon in her TED Talk Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are. According to her research, just two minutes in power poses increases testosterone levels (a hormone associated with dominance) and lowers cortisol (the stress hormone), positively impacting how we feel and act.

Her presentation reminded me of a Ted Lasso episode (Season 2, Episode 5), when Rebecca (played by the fantastic Hannah Waddingham) teaches how to appear more confident. Already a naturally commanding presence, she becomes even more impactful as she trains her body language, and the transformation is powerful. I love that scene so much that I keep an image of Rebecca in a power pose next to my computer as a daily reminder to embody confidence and expansion.

from Ted Lasso (Apple TV)

Today, artificial intelligence tools can already decode and analyze emotions based on written, spoken, or visual interactions. However, their use is controversial, especially in contexts such as job interviews, where they may perpetuate bias. That's why such technologies must be applied ethically, transparently, and with proper consent. Meanwhile, we, as human beings, possess the unique ability to contextualize behavior and perceive nuances beyond a single interaction.

Developing the skill to interpret and consciously use body language is a powerful tool. It helps us align our intention with our presence, amplify the impact of our communication, and, as demonstrated by Amy Cuddy's research, even transform how we feel and behave.

#BodyLanguage #SoftSkills #Communication #CareerDevelopment #ProjectManagement #Leadership