Body Language: An Important
Communication Tool
(Adapted from an unknown source)
"The art of communication is the
language of leadership."
Body language can make a big difference in your people
skills, attractiveness and general mood. It is important for one to understand
the etiquettes of using body language as it may be interpreted in several ways
by the significant other.
Here are a few tips on how effective body language:
Here are a few tips on how effective body language:
DO NOT CROSS YOUR ARMS
You must have read or heard earlier too that you
should never cross your arms when at an interview or when communicating with
seniors. Crossing arms are interpreted as being defensive or guarded. Keep your
arms open.
HAVE EYE CONTACT, BUT DO NOT STARE
If you are among a group of people, you must try
maintaining eye contact with them to create a better connection and see if they
are listening. Staring or keeping too much of eye contact while communicating might
creep people out. On the other hand, having no eye contact might make you seem
insecure.
RELAX
When you feel tense it easily winds up as tension in
your shoulders. They might move up and forward a bit. Try to relax. Try to
loosen up by shaking the shoulders a bit and move them back slightly. Do not
slouch, sit up straight. Lean but not too much. If you want to show that you
are interested in what is being said and are confident in yourself, just relax
and lean back a bit. But do not lean back much. It might give impression of
being arrogant. Similarly, don’t lean in too much as it might give an
impression of being needy or desperate. While standing, don’t stand too close.
Give people their personal space.
NOD EVERY NOW AND THEN
Nod once in a while to signal that you are listening, but don't overdo it.
KEEP
YOUR HEAD UP, SMILE AND LAUGH
Don't keep your eyes on the ground, it might make you
seem insecure and a bit lost. Keep your head up straight and your eyes towards
the horizon. Lighten up, don't take yourself too seriously. Relax a bit, smile
and laugh when someone says something funny. People will be a lot more inclined
to listen to you if you seem to be a positive person. But don't be the first to
laugh at your own jokes, it makes you seem nervous and needy. Smile when you
are introduced to someone but don't keep a smile plastered on your face, it
will give impression of being insecure.
DO NOT
TOUCH YOUR FACE OR FIDGET
It might make you seem nervous and can be distracting
for the listeners or the people in the conversation. Try to avoid showing
nervousness such as shaking your leg or tapping your fingers against the table
rapidly. You will seem nervous and fidgeting can be a distracting when you try
to get something across. Try to relax, slow down and focus your movements. Use
your hands more confidently instead. Use your hands to describe something or to
add weight to a point you are trying to make. But don't use them too much or it
might become distracting.
MIRROR THE IMAGE
Often when you get along with a person, when the two of you get a good connection, you will start to mirror each other unconsciously. To make the connection better you can try a bit of proactive mirroring. If he leans forward, you might lean forward. If he puts hands in pocket, you might do the same. But don't react instantly and don't mirror every change in body language. Keep a balance.
TRY
MAINTAINING A GOOD ATTITUDE
Keep a positive, open and relaxed attitude. How you
feel will come through in your body language and can make a major difference.
Take a couple of these body languages into
consideration when communicating next time. You will definitely create a positive
impact on others leading your way to a successful relation with them.
© The blogger is an independent writer and
works with Aga Khan Development Network
