In our last Tips and tricks, we gave you some tips on how to clarify your speech. This time, we’re putting the spotlight on body language. Why? Body language accounts for 80-90% of our communication, and even when we don’t speak, we are communicating.
If you use your body language well, it can really enhance your message; use it badly and it can have the opposite effect. Below are some tips on how to use your body language to best effect in a business environment.
- The eyes have it – eye contact shows you are confident and genuinely interested in the other person. Always try to look at the listener at the end of a sentence to reinforce the message in that sentence.
- Gestures – hand gestures are great to emphasize a point, but be sure to scale them to the occasion. Wide gestures can come across as daunting in one-to-one contact. Avoid fidgeting, such as touching your face, rubbing your nose, fiddling with clothes etc.
- Presence – a strong posture exudes confidence and energy. Aim to keep your body language open and relaxed. This shows you’re receptive to ideas and confident to take action.
- Movement and pace – be sensitive to other people’s personal space; sitting or standing at the same level is a sign of respect.
- When you’re speaking, vary pitch, volume, articulation and pace. This will help put character in your voice.
Of course there are many more gestures and signs, and we can’t possibly cover them all. But whichever you use, make sure they support – not contradict – what you are saying. If you’d like to know how you come across, try them out in front of a mirror!
Coming next: Listen carefully