What Your Body Language Says About You
By Sandy Schroeder
The tilt of your head or the gleam in your eye may say way more than your words. It’s important for all of us to know what signals our body language is sending out. Those body signals may be undermining everything we do as we plunge ahead, unaware of their impact.
Or, if you are lucky, they may be sending out welcoming signals. Take a good look at people as you talk to them and then look at your body language. You may see a direct connection.
Knowing what your body says and using your body to say what you want it to say takes a little practice. But once you learn the basics, you can use your body language to give added meaning to your message, helping you easily reach others.
Know If You Look Open Or Closed
Open signals trust, warmth, solidarity and comfort, inviting others to approach. Closed signals isolation, insecurity, coldness, pushing others away.
Signal Open Body Language
Start with eye contact - A direct gaze, followed with a welcome smile will easily reach others.
Keep your chest open - Are your arms crossed over your chest, or are you holding items such as books to protect yourself, and keep others away? Uncross your arms and put any objects down.
Check your posture - Make sure you are standing up straight, telling others you offer confidence, solidarity and strength. If your shoulders slump and your head droops, others may assume you are sad, tired or just uninterested.
Watch the tone of your voice - Your voice can contradict your words, if it’s laced with sarcasm, weak and low, or bold and brash. Keep it rich and mellow and positive.
Use a casual touch – Reaching out to give someone a high five, or gently touching their arm can establish a closeness without being overwhelming.
Mirror the look you see - Tailor your reactions to your audience. As they nod, smile or lean forward, reflect the same attitude with your movements.
As you learn more about body language, look around you in meetings, or other groups, and see if you can read what you see. You may quickly spot boredom, discontent, eagerness or confidence, in the posture, eyes or tone of those around you. Being aware of the feelings of others can give you a real edge, knowing where you stand, and what you need to do next. Just keep practicing to make it work for you.