If over 90% of communication is non-verbal, how much time are you spending developing it?
It’s often said that over 90% of communication is non-verbal. Tone, posture, and presence often speak louder than the words we choose. For leaders and their teams, this means that what you communicate is not just what you say, it’s how you show up.
In high-stakes environments, body language can either reinforce trust and alignment or quietly undermine it. Leaders who overlook this silent influence risk sending mixed signals that erode credibility, confidence, and cohesion.
Why Body Language Matters More Than Words
Words can be rehearsed, but body language reveals what’s real. Three dynamics make it especially powerful in leadership:
- Credibility is Embodied – A confident stance and steady eye contact convey authority. Nervous gestures or avoiding gaze raise doubt, no matter the words.
- Trust is Felt – Authenticity shows up in openness, tone, and presence. Crossed arms or distracted attention signal disinterest, even when language says otherwise.
- Influence is Amplified – Leaders set the emotional temperature. Grounded body language calms and aligns teams; anxious signals spread tension like wildfire.
The Ripple Effect on Teams
When body language doesn’t align with words, teams pick up on the inconsistency. Engagement slips, innovation stalls, and trust weakens. Over time, this silent dissonance reduces leaders’ influence and leaves teams second-guessing intentions.
Why Horses Are the Ultimate Teachers
Horses don’t listen to words — they read presence. They notice the slightest tension, hesitation, or incongruence between intention and action. If your body language doesn’t align with your message, they respond instantly.
That’s what makes them such powerful partners for leaders. Horses reflect back how you actually show up — grounded or distracted, collaborative or controlling, confident or hesitant. With their honest, non-judgmental feedback, leaders gain immediate insight into the signals they send and how those signals shape trust and influence.
From Awareness To Alignment
Great leadership means aligning words, presence, and impact. Practical steps include:
Model Calm and Openness – Use your presence to steady and inspire your team.
Cultivate Awareness – Notice how your body language shifts in different contexts.
Seek Feedback – Ask peers (and learn from horses) what your non-verbal cues communicate.
Practice – Align gestures, tone, and posture so they reinforce your message.
Question for You: When was the last time you invested in your body language — the part of communication your team trusts most?
In leadership, it’s not just what you say, it’s everything you communicate without words. Become more aware of your body language so you can align it with your words and build greater trust — let’s have a conversation.
PS. At Chigi Leadership, we work across the globe to reveal the hidden dynamics that shape leaders and teams. Through unique experiences, including horse-guided development courses grounded in behavioural science, we help leaders build trust, strengthen communication, and deepen connection. The result? Stronger leaders, more aligned teams, and organisations that perform with clarity and impact.