The way you present yourself is as important, if not more so than what you say and how you say it. Body language can either support your verbal communication or compromise it.
Whether you’re speaking to a large group or just one person, body language such as your posture, facial expressions, and hand gestures really do make a huge difference in how you are understood. By keeping your body language consistent with your words, you will gain the trust of your team, communicate and train more efficiently, and collaborate more easily.
Carrying on Apple’s tradition of delivering electrifying product launches is no easy feat, especially when following the footsteps of a dynamic presenter like Steve Jobs. Since becoming CEO, Cook has been more than up to the task, continuing to dazzle crowds at each year’s unveiling. Despite not being a natural product person by trade, Cook has utilized his body language skills to amplify his storytelling when communicating about Apple’s products and services. His commencement speech at Tulane University is an excellent example of his ability to inspire an audience not only through words, but also his smile, hand gestures, and small, yet authentic body language cues.
Not only has Cuddy provided a great example of body language in her TED Talk, but she is also an expert on body language as a researcher and social psychologist at Harvard University. In particular, Cuddy notes the power that comes with how you carry yourself in the workplace. With strong body language, “you are more likely to feel confident and see the world in a way that is filled with opportunities rather than challenges. If someone is seen as confident then they are also seen as competent.”
While working as an FBI Agent, Navarro used his specialty in nonverbal communication and body language to gain important information to solve cases. Navarro provides all kinds of tips for improving your body language, and to help others feel comfortable talking to you. From what you wear, to how you place your feet, to where you sit and how you move your hands, just about everything you do is communicating in some way. According to Navarro, “It’s about how small things that we do affect the environment around us and affect the people around us.
Proper body language is absolutely vital to help you connect with your listeners. By having inviting body language, you’ll encourage your audience to care about what you’re sharing and potentially inspire them to take action.
Body language is a powerful way to communicate the passion you have for a project or idea. When your hand gestures, facial expressions, and overall stance supports your message, that passion can inspire and empower those around you to catch the vision and grow in their own motivation for the project.
When you feel confident, your body language supports and communicates that confidence. This confidence will help reassure your listeners that you’re passionate and credible speaker.
Over-the-top body language that doesn’t match your message does more to distract from what you say than it does to support it. Exaggerated body language comes across as inauthentic and leads to a lack of trust in what you’re saying for those you are communicating with.
While at times it may be necessary to communicate through closeness or physical touch, it’s rare that this is the case in the workplace. Invading the personal space of others can not only make them feel uncomfortable in the moment, but can cause a lasting negative impression and feeling of distrust.
Body language should be a reflection of your desire to support, encourage, and help those around you. If your body language is aggressive or dominant, your peers may feel threatened, physically and emotionally.
Your clothing and how you choose to dress will be a big part of your appearance, and hence a big part of how people perceive you, and look at you.
Your body language can be a useful instrument to appear confident. Don't let slumped shoulders or a nervous habit derail the message you're trying to convey.
While speaking or listening to a peer, maintain eye contact to project confidence and let the other person know you are interested in what they are saying.
Facial expressions speak louder than words, yet most people are unaware of their facial expressions. While engaged in a conversation, be aware of what emotions your facial expressions may be expressing to your peers.
Personal space is the region surrounding a person which they regard as psychologically theirs. Most people value their personal space and feel discomfort, anger, or anxiety when their personal space is encroached.
Perfecting the art of a proper handshake is essential to making a good first impression.
