Body language is a powerful tool, and one that, when used correctly, may help you achieve better success. Positive corporate relationships, the ability to influence and encourage subordinates, increased output, closer team bonds, and more persuasive presentations are all possible results. Here are 9 body language tips on how to use your body language to exude assurance, credibility, and your special brand of charisma:
1. Carry yourself confidently:
Height and distance are nonverbal cues of power, position, and assurance. A confident appearance is achieved by standing tall with your feet hip-width apart, your shoulders back, and your head held high.
If you stand up, those who are seated will get a better impression of your authority and confidence. You'll look even bigger if you start moving about. If you are seated, project an air of authority by spreading out your possessions on the conference table, spreading your arms wide apart, and keeping one elbow hooked on the back of your chair.
2. Stand with feet apart:
You may come across as uncertain or hesitant in your speech if you stand with your feet close together. Widen your stance, loosen your knees, and put your weight in the middle of your feet to project an image of "solid" confidence.
Sometimes, these nonverbal communication signals are difficult to master. You can consider connecting with a top soft skills coach to get personalized coaching in acing subtle body language clues.
3. Lower your voice:
The way you sound in the office might have a significant impact on your reputation. When compared to those with lower-pitched voices, those with higher-pitched voices are perceived as being less sympathetic, less forceful, and more apprehensive. A speech therapist taught me that putting my lips together and saying "Um hum, um hum, um hum" was a simple way to improve my articulation. When you do this, your voice naturally finds its sweet spot. This is excellent preparation for an important phone call, in which your voice quality will be crucial.
4. Smile:
A person's ability to make us smile is undeniable. A smile can be detected from 300 feet away, which is the length of a football field, and the human brain has a strong preference for pleasant expressions. Not only does smiling make you feel better, but it also sends the message that you are friendly and trustworthy to others around you.
5. Make and keep friendly eye contact at all times:
In business, people from the United States, Europe, Australia, and many other countries will require you to keep eye contact between 50-60% of the time. This is true even if you are an introvert, timid, or have been taught that making prolonged eye contact with a superior is inappropriate. To make better eye contact, use this easy trick: When greeting a professional association, it's important to gaze them in the eye for an extended period to determine their eye color.
6. Use your hands while you talk:
Brain imaging studies have demonstrated that a part of the brain called Broca's area, which is crucial for speech production, is active not only when we speak but also when we gesture. A person's thought processes can be boosted by gesturing in tandem with their words. Clients' verbal content, lack of hesitancy in speech, and reliance on fillers all improve when the presenter adds gestures to their presentations. Try it out, and you'll see that the act of gesturing itself aids in the formation of clearer thoughts and the use of more concise, declarative language in your speech.
7. Make welcoming gestures:
Showing the palms of your hands, moving about casually, and maintaining eye contact are all nonverbal cues of credibility and sincerity. Those who use open gestures are seen as more approachable and convincing than those who use closed ones (arms crossed, hands hidden or held close to the body, etc.) Furthermore, most audiences will view you as confident and credible if you keep your arms at waist level and keep your gestures inside that plane.
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8. Attempt a steeple:
People in authoritative positions, such as professors, legislators, and business leaders, often employ this gesture to emphasize their convictions. Here, your hands will form a "steeple," with the tips of your fingers touching but your palms apart. Steepling is an expressive vocal technique that conveys sincerity and conviction in one's argument.
9. Try to use less twitchy body language:
Our assertions lose all credibility the moment we engage in any sort of self-touching, nonverbal activity, such as rubbing our hands together, bouncing our feet, drumming our fingers on the desk, playing with our jewelry, twirling our hair, or fidgeting. Take a deep breath and steady yourself by planting your feet firmly on the floor and placing your hand's palm down on your lap, on the desk, or on the conference table if you find yourself engaging in any of these behaviors. Your confidence and composure will shine through if you maintain silence.
Conclusion:
Body language or nonverbal clues are automatically perceived by humans. No one does it consciously. But the presenter can be better prepared to avoid negative gestures. We hope these body language tips will help you in becoming a better communicator and a better presenter.