What Does Your Body Language Say?
By: Patricia Cameron, ABC
Founding Partner, Great Minds Communication
4 Ways to Show Power in Your Body Language-
Body language is an integral part of what we do. We communicate from the moment we shake hands or are introduced. As a matter of fact, Mario Pei, Italian-born American linguist, said humans produce up to 700,000 different signs, which include bodily postures and hand gestures. From facial expressions to body movements, the things we don’t say can still convey volumes of information.
Research shows that more than half of all human communication takes place nonverbally. It’s safe to say, they don’t hang on our every word. Ralph Waldo Emerson put it this way, “What you do speaks so loud I can’t hear what you say.”
So how can we put power into our body language? There are many ways that will bring success, but here are a few to consider.
🔹 Smile. A smile communicates warmth and warmth communicates well. It tells your listener you’re approachable, that you really like what you are seeing. “A warm smile is the universal language of kindness” — William Arthur Ward American Writer 1921-1994.
🔹 Use natural, expressive gestures. Gestures make you look natural and constructively channel your nervous energy. Talking with your hands is perfectly natural. Not only will talking with your hands help you remember more, it also keeps the listener engaged.
🔹 Maintain eye contact. Looking people in the eye is essential. People with good eye contact come across as trustworthy. Those who do not come across as anxious, distracted or dishonest. People have a habit of looking away if they meet a person’s eyes. Try not to do this. Keep eye contact, and smile. People will perceive you as more open and you will feel more confident, plus you’ll come across as sincere and interested in them. Also, always make sure to use more eye contact when you are listening than when you are speaking.
🔹 Maintain your posture. Good posture doesn’t just impress those around you, it can actually boost the way you feel about yourself. Keeping an open posture indicates friendliness, openness and willingness. Professor Amy Cuddy, a Harvard psychologist, says “When our body language is confident and open, other people respond in kind, reinforcing not only their perception of us but also our perception of ourselves.” Correcting your posture is worth it in the long run.
For more tips on your non-verbal and verbal communication, put our team of experienced professionals at Great Minds Communication to work for you. Learn more about us, visit greatmindscommunication.com
