Research shows that a listener of either sex looks more at a speaker than the speaker looks at the listener. Another possible reason why women look more frequently at a partner may be their need for and expertise in decoding nonverbal cues. In a direct staring confrontation, however, women will be more likely to avert their eyes, especially when stared at by men. Frequently, a woman will tilt her head back rather than look directly at a man. Researchers call this a presenting gesture that reflects friendliness and submission.
Nonverbal messages carry over four times the weight of verbal messages.
Other research shows that in most two-person conversations, nonverbal messages convey more than 65 percent of the meaning. Women seem to communicate more effectively on this nonverbal channel. They are better than men at decoding nonverbal cues. They are also more likely to reflect their feelings through facial expressions. Research conducted at a Midwest hospital and in the clerical departments and production lines of manufacturing firms show that both female and male managers score higher than the general population in communicating friendliness and approval to subordinates.