Body Posture: Say It All Without Speaking a Word
Believe it or not, nonverbal communication dominates. Are you saying exactly what you believe you are saying? If you frequently find that you are misunderstood, perhaps your body posture is conveying different meanings than your voice!
Tweaking your body posture can enhance your communications and help you make a more favorable impression in a variety of social and professional contexts. Expressions on the face, hand gestures, and body language all convey distinct meanings. When your body posture matches your words, what you say is significantly more convincing.
Whether you’re curious about the messages your body posture conveys or simply want to sharpen up on your communication skills, the following techniques can help.
General Principles
- Harmonize your body and your speech. To appear genuine, your body language and speech should be congruent. If you tell someone that you enjoyed the date while anxiously rubbing your forehead, you will raise suspicions.
- Reflect others. When individuals are on the same page, they begin to mimic one another’s facial expressions and movements. By doing this intentionally, you can facilitate connections with others. However, do so sparingly; excessive mirroring will make your efforts appear like a standup routine.
- Verify all of your assumptions. As you increase your knowledge of nonverbal communication, keep in mind that different causes can result in identical behavior. You may require additional indicators to determine their true meaning.
- For instance, when someone is looking all around the room while you are speaking, they may be bored. Or they may be too exhausted to focus on anything. Or perhaps they are particularly interested in the interior design! Asking them questions can help you interpret their body posture correctly.
Adaptations to Your Head
- Maintain eye contact. Despite differences in culture, subtle eye contact is frequently interpreted as friendly and trustworthy. When introducing yourself to someone, make eye contact. Intermittently look the speaker in the eye to demonstrate interest, while looking away at appropriate times to prevent staring.
- Maintain your head up. Constantly staring at the ground may give others the impression that you are depressed or attempting to avoid them. Maintaining your head held high makes you appear more approachable.
- Nod with discretion. Nod your head a little bit to indicate that you are paying attention and agree with what someone is saying.
- Smile. Whether you’re attending a job interview or attempting to resolve a family dispute, your best asset is a pleasant expression. The harmony of our relationships improves when we reassure others of our affection for them. Primarily, this is achieved by smiling.
Modifications to Your Body
- Improve your handshake. Palm-to-palm contact is the most essential component of a handshake. Find a colleague for feedback and suggestions that your handshake conveys the desired message.
- Manage your hand movements. Hand movements can enhance what you’re saying and improve the efficacy of your presentations. Make confident gestures so that you appear composed and engaged.
- Stand upright and at ease. Good posture has significant health and social advantages. Relax your shoulders and open your chest while pressing your navel against your lower back. You will come across as open and confident.
- Maintain open arms and legs. Crossing your arms and legs can make you appear aloof and defensive. Try wearing a sweatshirt or a layer of thermal pants if you frequently assume this position due to the cold office temperature.
- Slow down. It is simple to become preoccupied with rushing from one task to the next. A brief pause or deliberate slowing of your movements can help you feel more composed.
- Tilt forward. A slight tilt toward someone is a great way to demonstrate that you like them and value what they have to say. Simply facing someone as they speak can be beneficial. When addressing a group, change your position periodically.
- Respect others’ right to privacy. Respect the comfort zones of others. If you sense that someone is feeling crowded, take a few steps backwards.
Body posture is an essential interpersonal competency. By exercising deliberate control over your nonverbal communication, you boost your confidence and put others at ease.
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