Non-verbal Communication and Leadership : the impact of hand gestures used by leaders on follower job satisfaction

This study investigated the association between the hand gestures used by organizational leaders in regular staff meetings and follower job satisfaction. Using a cross-sectional research design, the objective was to find whether a relationship exists between a leaders’ use of hand gestures and the job satisfaction. Regular staff meetings were videotaped, the hand gestures of leaders (N=20) were then monitoring and coded. Followers (N=113) were given surveys to fill out directly after each meeting, in which the level of job satisfaction was measured. The results from the videotaped and coded hand gestures used by leaders and level of job satisfaction by followers was then analysed. A significant positive relationship, although weak, was found between the use of mixed hand gestures with follower job satisfaction. Results showed non significant relationships with other hand gestures. In conclusion, the research displays interesting unforeseen results. A larger sample size and investigation to other possible links between other variables and leader hand gestures in relation to job satisfaction is desirable.