Non-Verbal Communication Across Cultures in the Modern Workplace

In today’s corporate world, where teams span continents and conversations often happen through a webcam, non-verbal communication is more important and trickier than ever. Words may be the obvious vehicle for meaning, but tone, gestures, facial expressions, and even silence all speak volumes. The challenge? These signals don’t always translate the same way across cultures.

While verbal misunderstandings are widely recognised in cross-cultural business, non-verbal cues can be equally powerful sources of confusion. And in our increasingly digital meetings, where half the body is out of view and connections occasionally freeze mid-expression, reading those cues accurately can feel like solving a puzzle with missing pieces.

Non-Verbal Nuances: When Gestures Speak a Different Language

Even in similar business contexts, the same gesture can mean very different things. A classic example is the contrast between French and Dutch professionals:

French businesspeople tend to use the whole upper body when gesturing, conveying passion and emphasis
Dutch businesspeople often keep gestures smaller, using mainly the arms to support the rhythm of speech

When these styles meet, the French may seem overly emotional to Dutch counterparts, while the Dutch may appear cold or disengaged to the French.

The differences go beyond expressiveness. While facial expressions like anger, sadness, and fear are generally universal, many gestures are not. A nod usually means “yes” in much of the world, but in parts of Greece and Bulgaria, a nod can mean “no” and a head shake can mean “yes.” In France, pulling down the lower eyelid means “I don’t believe you,” while in Italy it means “I’m watching you.”

The Power (and Ambiguity) of Silence

Silence can be as culturally loaded as speech. In many Western contexts, long pauses can feel awkward or signal disengagement, while in much of Asia, silence is an essential part of respectful and considered communication.

Thailand: Silence can mean respect, agreement, or disagreement and is often valued more than speaking
Korea: Silence is preferable to saying something that might be inappropriate or poorly thought through
Japan: Silence can be valued, but in interactive situations, not speaking when participation is expected may be seen as impolite

This difference can cause tension in global teams. A Western manager might interpret a pause in an online meeting as uncertainty or lack of ideas, while an Asian colleague might view it as a respectful moment to reflect before speaking.

The Online Meeting Effect

Digital communication adds another layer of complexity. Video calls limit the range of visible gestures, and time delays can distort conversational flow. Subtle cues like foot tapping, full-body posture, or group reactions may be lost entirely. Lighting, camera quality, and cultural preferences for camera use (some cultures feel less comfortable being on video) can further obscure non-verbal intent.

For example:

A colleague turning their head away from the camera could be multitasking or simply taking notes off-screen
A smile delayed by a second or two could be due to internet lag, not hesitation
Maintaining eye contact is harder to judge online, as looking into the camera means not looking at the screen

Recommendations for Navigating Non-Verbal Communication Across Cultures

Learn Cultural Norms: Familiarise yourself with common non-verbal tendencies in the cultures you work with, but avoid overgeneralising — individuals vary.
Clarify Ambiguities: If you’re unsure what a gesture, silence, or facial expression means, politely check. For example: “I sense there’s a pause — is this a moment for reflection or should we move forward?”
Adapt for Online Contexts: Use verbal signposting more in video calls (“I’m nodding in agreement” or “I’ll pause here for your thoughts”) to replace cues that might be lost off-camera.
Be Mindful of Your Own Signals: Recognise how your natural style may be perceived differently elsewhere. What feels “engaged” to you might feel “overbearing” to someone else — and vice versa.
Encourage an Explicit Communication Culture: Foster an environment where team members feel comfortable stating their reactions instead of relying solely on non-verbal cues.

In global business, what you don’t say can matter as much as what you do. By being aware of non-verbal cultural difference, and the extra challenges of online communication, you can avoid misunderstandings, strengthen trust, and make your messages truly understood. Want your leaders to thrive in a global environment?

Get in touch today to explore our tailored training and coaching programmes for international managers and multicultural teams.

Non-Verbal Communication Across Cultures in the Modern Workplace

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