The Power of Body Language
Your body language forms a perception in people’s minds about you. If you have excellent non-verbal communication skills, you will come across as a confident, energetic, engaged, and honest person to the audience. Similarly, a poor body language gives off an impression of low self-esteem and a lack of interest. This may not be totally fair but this is how human minds are programmed. Here are 10 common body language mistakes you might be making. Image Courtesy: Getty Images
Slouching
In order to be perceived as confident, you must stand tall, with your neck elongated, ears and shoulders aligned, chest slightly protruding, and legs slightly apart, distributing weight evenly. Slumping shoulders either due to bad backs, fatigue, lack of confidence, or general disregard give others the impression of insecurity, laziness, and a general sense of unhappiness. Image Courtesy: Getty Images
Bad Handshake
Ideally, your handshake should be firm, but not overbearing. The secret to a great handshake is palm-to-palm contact. You want to slide your hand down into the web of theirs, and make palm-to-palm contact. Lock thumbs, and apply an equal amount of pressure. Image Courtesy: Getty Images
Folding Arms Defensively
This stance creates a sense of being closed off and may signal to others that you are disinterested in them or don't buy into their message. You should always keep your hands in view when you are talking. When a listener can't see your hands, they wonder what you are hiding. Image Courtesy: Getty Images
Looking Disinterested
When you look down while making a point, it loses all of its power and can may you look weak. We often express interest through raised eyebrows, smiles, head nods, vocal utterances, and leaning forward. If you don't give feedback physically, people think you don't care, that you're stuck up, and host of other negative attributes. Image Courtesy: Getty Images
Not Making Eye Contact
Cultural respective eye contact is one of the main components of non-verbal communication. The ability to gaze at another while speaking denotes authority, confidence, and presence. Image Courtesy: Getty Images
Fidgeting
So many people in the workplace today make big hand gestures or fidget with their hands, phone or hair. This demonstrates weakness and a lack of confidence. Image Courtesy: Getty Images
Invading Others' Space
When you are closer than 1.5 feet away from a colleague or you treat their possessions and office space as if it were your own, it signals disrespect and that you don't have a clear understanding of personal boundaries. Image Courtesy: Getty Images
Giving out Mismatched Verbal and Non-verbal Messages
You say, “that sounds great” in a monotone voice, while you cross your arms and roll your eyes. Making facial expressions that appear to show the opposite emotional reaction to what you are saying is a mistake. Image Courtesy: Getty Images
Rolling Eyes
Eye rolling signals to your listener that you don't appreciate or respect them or what they are saying. This is such a strong signal that researchers have proven that rolling your eyes after a spouse has spoken is a strong predictor of divorce. Image Courtesy: Getty Images
