Body Language at Work

You can always use body language as a key to success in your work.

Indeed, this is one of the major areas I work with both personal and business clients in.

Whilst there are different forms of communication, such as words, tone of voice, and body language, for this time I want to look at what you can do to make the biggest impression first, and that's with body language.

In research often quoted in NLP, communication has been measured to have the following impact (and for fellow NLP'ers out there, I know there's a whole debate in itself about this):

• 7% are the words that you use – a small percentage, though still vitally important.
• 38% is in the tone of your voice – you may have heard the phrase, 'it's not what you say, it's the way you say it'.
• 55% is accounted for in body language – or as I say when training, 'looking like you mean it'.

Appropriate Body Language during an Interview, Meeting or Presentation

Whilst some say that job interviews can be a nerve-racking experience, by following just a few simple steps, no matter how you're feeling inside, you can be sure your body language will be stating 'super confident, I'm the one for the job!'

Try some of these gestures and body movements during job interviews and notice the difference:

• A firm handshake indicates confidence. Relax on the chair provided for you, but do not slouch. Slouching reflects laziness. Keep your heap up, and lean slightly forward – it say's 'I'm interested.' Place your hands on your lap, and never in your pocket. The hands-in-pocket gesture signifies nervousness, boredom, and dishonesty. As much as possible, do not cross your legs, hands or arms unless your interviewer does, and then don't copy them immediately, but after a few moments. If crossing your legs would help calm your nerves, do so with your body pointed towards the direction of the interviewer. During the conversation, make sure you maintain eye contact to show your interest and eagerness to listen. This does not mean STARE THEM OUT, but for the most part maintain gentle eye contact.

Art of Animation

• Make use of your hands to punctuate or emphasize what you are saying. You will appear stiff if your hands stay on your lap during the entire period of the interview. Hand gestures signify you are honest and knowledgeable of what you are talking about. You can do this while sitting or standing. During a presentation, move around, but walk slowly. The greatest presenters are those who can speak confidently with the right timing of body movements and gestures.

Gestures and Movements to Avoid

 The wrong gestures, done consciously or unconsciously, could give the wrong impression to your boss/potential boss, co-workers, or clients. These may be the reason you get fired! Therefore, you must avoid the following acts of body language:

• Avoid pointing a finger at somebody, especially your boss. Even when you are angry or trying to emphasize a detail pointing simply inflames the situation.
• In meetings, refrain from showing signs of boredom and lack of interest. These signs include arms crossed over the chest, eyes on objects other than the person talking or the presentation itself, yawning, signing, drumming the fingers on the table, or tapping your foot.

Signs That You Are Not Doing a Good Job

If you are the presenter in a meeting or an applicant in a job interview, you must observe the body language of your audience as well. Reading their actions and movements could aid you to be aware of their reactions and if you are doing well.

You would detect if the other party is getting bored if their focus of attention is not on you. This is evident by the absence of eye contact. Observe their hands as well. Even if their eyes are on you, but their hands are busy, it may mean they are thinking of something else. See if their fingers are playing with their pen or drumming on the surface of the table. Boredom is also indicated when the person in front of you begin to slouch back into their chair.

Signs of opposition to your ideas and opinions are also determined when the other party crosses their arms, wrinkle their forehead, and tilt their head.

However, the signs above sometimes do not reflect how someone really feels. What is important is that you know how to prepare yourself in critical times at the workplace.

Remember, whilst we 'read the signs' of how well our communication is being received mostly by body language, we only still have ownership of our own actions. So, if you are not getting the results you want during interviews, or the engagement of delegates during a presentation, the question you need to ask yourself is, 'what am I going to do differently now/next time to get a better result?'