Nonverbal communication, commonly known as body language, is an essential aspect of conveying and acquiring information in interpersonal relationships, and it is just as important as verbal communication. It’s not as simple as it seems to control and interpret your body language. It’s about being aware of it, harnessing it, and controlling it, much like emotional intelligence. Simply said, when you understand your body language, you can take advantage of it. Keep reading to read London Image Institute’s expert tips to improve body language and nonverbal communication in the workplace.
How to Improve Your Body Language and Nonverbal Communication
Before we go into the tips of improving your body language, do you know the different forms of nonverbal communication? The following section will update you on that:
Facial Expressions
One of the most visible kinds of nonverbal communication is facial expressions. Smiles, frowns, wrinkled foreheads, and eye rolls are examples of facial expressions.
It’s beneficial when you’re able to read other people’s facial emotions. If you’re expressing a new thought and the other person wrinkles their nose, it’s likely that something you said offended or surprised them. If you ask a coworker to assist you with a project and react with a genuine nod followed by a smile, you can be confident that they will be valuable members of your team.
The more time you take to learn about other people’s facial expressions, the more accurate your assessments will become.
Gestures
Another essential kind of nonverbal communication is gestures. Actions such as shrugging, waving, patting, pointing, or giving someone a “thumbs up” are examples of gestures. Gestures can also be subtle, for example tapping your finger on your desk’s edge. Every motion, no matter how spectacular, communicates information.
Observing their gestures daily is sometimes the only way to tell the difference. The simplest method to improve body communication is to train yourself to notice other people’s patterns of behavior.
Eye Movement
Eye movement is a type of non-verbal communication that is quite complicated. Maintaining eye contact with someone has always been regarded as a sign of involvement, attentiveness, and respect. Alternatively, making prolonged eye contact with someone can be perceived as overly intense or even creepy. A good communicator’s ability to accurately use and understand eye movement is a valuable advantage.
There are various aspects that influence your ability to accurately use and read eye movement. When it comes to eye contact and similar signals, context indicators are critical.
Vocal Tone
Without even speaking, your tone of voice and the noises you make can transmit your ideas to others. When you grunt in response to a manager’s directives, you’re indicating that you don’t agree with what he’s saying. People can tell if you’re angry, frustrated, or sarcastic by your tone of voice. Sighing repeatedly or speaking in a high-pitched voice should be avoided. Softly and quietly speak.
End goal: You want your body language to match your oral language and ultimately enhance your communication.
Interview Body Language Tips
During a job interview, it’s critical that your body language conveys that you’re a confident, positive, and capable individual. We’ll go through the five goal-setting tips below to help you master your job interview body language. But before that, remember that you need to dress appropriately for the interview.
Think about your entrance
Before you even meet the recruiting manager, your body language might be assessed. As you sit in the lobby, consider how you engage with the receptionist and how you may appear. Do you have a nervous, slouched demeanor? To project tranquility and confidence, take a few deep breaths and sit in a comfortable, upright stance.
Give a friendly handshake
By effectively performing this classic icebreaker, you can quickly demonstrate your sociability. A firm handshake can come off as arrogant, whereas a soft handshake can come across as frightened or weak. Aim for a “just right” grip—firm but not deathly. Have you ever had sweaty hands before? Apply antiperspirant to your palms before going to bed the night before for all-day freshness. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to quickly remove moisture before your interview if you’re in a hurry.
Take a commanding stance
Hiring supervisors will be watching how you approach them. With your arms crossed and your gaze fixed on the ground, you can send a quiet message that you are inaccessible or “closed.”
Do you need a confidence boost? Imagine you’re Superman. Standing with your feet slightly apart, shoulders back, and chin up and hands on the hips is a good way to start. According to studies on job interview body language, such positioning alters hormones in the brain after just two minutes, making you feel confident and less anxious.
Sit properly
If a hiring manager catches you sagging, he or she may assume you’re nervous, and sitting back in your chair can create the impression that you’re not taking the conversation seriously. Sit as if a string was tied from the top of your head and attached to the ceiling above you and avoid fidgeting. Also, pay attention to your foot’s position. Experts advise sitting back flat with both feet on the ground or crossing your ankles if required.
Pay Attention to your breathing
Your breathing is one of the areas where your nerves might truly show in these job interview body language suggestions. When you’re frightened, your breaths may be quick and shallow, causing you to talk shakily and quietly. Try the 4-7-8 technique before the interview, which involves inhaling for four seconds, holding your breath for seven seconds, then exhaling for eight seconds. This allows you to concentrate on breathing rather than the jumbled thoughts in your head.
Take a few deep breaths when you can during the interview to help you relax, a state that is necessary to produce a steady and confident voice.
Your body language will greatly influence your ability to get the job during the interview. Your awareness could provide you with another tool to help you master your interview. Also, keep in mind that practice makes perfect.
Body Language Tips for Presentations
Body language used correctly in presentations can help you close more sales or win that pitch. Your body language can assist you in engaging your audience while also allowing you to feel confident and relaxed during your presentation. If you do this correctly, by keeping a confident posture and eye contact, your presentation will be more dynamic, and you will be able to connect with your audience.
Here are some ideas to assist you to improve your body language during your presentation now that you understand what it is and why it matters during a presentation.
Dress properly
Long before you open your lips to say anything, your clothing will speak for you. You must dress appropriately if you want to portray yourself in a professional and confident way. Avoid wearing clothes that are oversized or too tight, have rips, or are wrinkled excessively. Instead, take pleasure in your appearance and dress appropriately to satisfy the dress code standards at your workplace.
Don’t be stingy with the smile
Believe it or not, the most potent tool in your body language toolbox is a smile. Furthermore, a grin can instantaneously alter our opinion of someone, as well as cause others to smile back at us.
Don’t slouch
Slouching gives the impression of insecurity. Standing tall with your shoulders pushed back, and your tummy tucked in will give you a boost of confidence and energy.
Assume a powerful stance
When you need to come out as confident and authoritative in your presentation, a power stance can help you establish authority. Standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, hands on your hips, and chin lifted is an example of a power stance.
However, unless you want to come across as threatening, don’t go overboard. Save your power poses for the most important sections of your presentation.
Make use of the space
Move about the stage instead of standing still. You’ll send the message to your audience that you’re at ease in your skin and know what you’re talking about. It will also help you minimize fidgeting, which may be misconstrued as nervousness.
Allow your audience to see you by stepping out from behind the podium. Take a few steps, halt, and then take a few more steps to get from one position to another. However, keep your movements natural and avoid pacing, which will have the opposite effect and make you appear tense, or at worse, leave you out of breath.
Bottom Line
In a professional presentation, interview, or just any ordinary day in the workplace, don’t undermine the value of body language. Your body language reveals a lot of information about you and can help you succeed in your presentation. Make the most of your body language by taking advantage of the available space, speaking clearly, maintaining eye contact, and standing upright without slouching. Again, don’t forget that dress code matters a lot. You can also seek the services of a professional image consultant to help you create that image you desire to project to others in the professional world.
Learn More: The Benefits of a Career in Image Consulting
