Nonverbal cues are used to manage the impressions and regulate interactions of communicators in a variety of relationships and situations (Cappella & Schreiber, 2006). This interaction management function occurs from the first time you meet someone and continues throughout the life span of your relationship. For example, you dress professionally for a job interview; your smile, firm handshake, and friendly tone convey your sincerity as you say, “This sounds like a wonderful organization to work for.” The hiring manager’s smiles and nods—or frowns and silence—in turn influence your behaviors back to her (Keating, 2006). Should you get the job, your nonverbal behaviors help you manage a tense situation with your boss by keeping a respectful distance and lowering your tone of voice. Additionally, nonverbal behavior (like smiles, eye contact, and so on) helps you manage your ongoing, everyday interactions with coworkers.

Nonverbal cues are also used in coordinating verbal interaction at the level of conversation—they help us regulate the back-and-forth flow of communication. For example, if you pause after saying “Hello” when answering your phone, you are offering the person on the other end a chance to self-identify and explain the purpose of the call. Face to face, you may hold your hand up while speaking to signal that you don’t want to be interrupted or gesture broadly to indicate continued excitement about your topic (Cutica & Bucciarelli, 2011). Additionally, raising your hand in a face-to-face classroom setting lets your professor know that you have a question or information to share.

If conversational regulation doesn’t go smoothly, there can be negative consequences. For example, if you successfully interrupt others when they are speaking, you may gain influence, but they may like you less. On the other hand, if you allow interruptions, others may perceive you as less influential (Farley, 2008). Naturally, the situational context plays a role. It’s more serious to interrupt (or be interrupted) during a debate or a business meeting, whereas some interruption is acceptable during casual conversations with friends. Matching your regulation behaviors to those of your partner makes interactions go smoothly (Schmidt, Morr, Fitzpatrick, & Richardson, 2012).