Body language is speaking the unspoken. It is a wordless art that many can master to improve communication, persuasion, and leadership skills. While it is a form of non-verbal communication, the interaction you have with others is directly linked to how you carry yourself. Simple movements can be incorporated with emotional intelligence tactics of self-awareness and self-regulation. What feelings are you projecting?

Attraction and Attention:

  • Long eye contact with limited, rapid blinking
  • Genuine smile: a real smile crinkles the eyes
  • Soft, open lips; no clenched jaw and unfurrow your brow

Confidence and Respect:

  • Spine is tall with head and chest up, shoulders rolled back
  • Arms are at your side or placed on hips (not in your pockets or crossed against the chest)
  • Feet facing forward with hips aligned or a wide stance

Secondary Attention:

  • Are you holding your smartphone, is it placed right side up on the table, or is it in your pocket? Show others you have their full attention.
  • Do you look at your phone each time it rings or vibrates with a message? Can it be put away during that moment of interpersonal communication?

Creating Collaboration:

  • Is the visitor’s chair across from your desk? This places them in a competitive or disadvantageous position.
  • Is the visitor’s chair next to your desk? Create space for a conversation with a round table to encourage equality and partnership (even for negotiating, too.)

Facial Gestures:

  • Do you roll your eyes slightly?
  • Do you purse your lips?
  • Do you raise your eyebrows?

Nervous or Anxious or Liars:

  • Verbal hesitations
  • Touching your hands or face while leaning away
  • Exaggerated nodding
  • Excessive hand gestures; possibly twitchy hands that touch the neck or arm
  • Stiff posture with crossed arms against chest

Mistakes to Watch for During Interviews:

  • Failing or forgetting to make eye contact; don’t look at the ground
  • Weak handshake
  • Keep hands out of your pocket and out of your hair; on your lap or folded
  • Fidgeting and constant shifting in the chair
  • Hunching over the table or crossing your arms

Disregarding how others view you can lead to disrespect of the ability for others to not take your seriously. UCLA research has shown that only 7% of communication is based on the actual words, 38% from tone of voice and the largest part (55%) comes from body language. When you have proper confidence, others are willing to better commit to timelines and deliverables. Senior leadership wants to see their employees open, upright, and engaged with each other as it builds successful environments and so much more. Simply knowing how to read others will allow you to get the most out of your interactions with them.

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