You can’t NOT communicate. Even when you aren’t saying a word, you are sending very distinct messages to other people. Your eyes, your gestures, your posture and the space around you are all communicators. When your words don’t match the signals that your body is sending, others will believe what they see more than what they hear. Understanding body language will enhance your professionalism.
We talk a lot about eye contact and smiling as critical to good communications and to positive customer relations. Posture also plays an important role in nonverbal communication. Standing straight exudes confidence and openness. Slumping indicates a lack of confidence, enthusiasm or interest. There are other subtle signals that you send by the way you stand.
Leaning in toward people says that you are interested and that you are listening. On the other hand, leaning away in conversation indicates that you are not involved.
Folding your arms across your chest can mean a variety of things, none of them positive. You may appear to be hiding something or protecting yourself in an unpleasant situation. You could seem disinterested. Most often, arms folded signals disagreement.
Standing with one hand holding on to the other arm will make you seem unsure and lacking confidence. The businessperson who seems ill at ease will have difficulty developing relationships with other people.
Be aware of your hands. In business, hands should always be where others can see them. Keep them out of your pockets, and don’t put them behind your back or under the table. There is an element of distrust when hands are out of sight.
If you can’t NOT communicate, you might as well be sure that you are sending the right message.
Author Resource:-
Lydia Ramsey is a business etiquette expert, professional speaker, corporate trainer and author featured in the Wall Street Journal and many other off-line and on-line publications. Lydia shares her business etiquette tips in her monthly e-zine, her blog and on Twitter. To register for these free services visitManners That Sell today!
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