Leadership impressions and nonverbal communication in a superior‐subordinate interaction

Based on social exchange theory principles it was hypothesized that nonverbal communication which reduces perceived status differentials in a superior‐subordinate dyad will be judged as considerate leadership behavior. Videotapes were prepared in which the nonverbal behavior of two male actors role‐playing a superior‐subordinate meeting was manipulated (high status or low status communication). As expected, subjects evaluated the leadership performance of the superior as more considerate when he displayed low rather than high status nonverbal behaviors. The superior was also rated as more considerate when his subordinate displayed high status rather than low status nonverbal behaviors. Judgments of the superior's problem solving performance were not affected by nonverbal displays of status.