Knowing Body Language Secrets
When you are talking to other people you want to be sure that they are listening and understand you, otherwise you are wasting your precious time. You can see whether a person is listening to you by observing their body movements.
Let’s make an experiment. When speaking to people, observe if:
1. they maintain eye contact
2. their hands are inclined forward
3. there are nodding their heads
4. their feet are pointing towards the speaker
5. they often smile
Observing those who are listening to us tells us not only whether they are listening but also in what type of mood they are – are they bored, fascinated, impatient, angry, tense or doubtful. It is good to recognize the emotions because they tell us how we should modify our speech. We should always bear in mind that we want to get the message across. While we can assume that non-verbal communication code is universal, it is always a good idea to remember that each person is unique. Judgment based on one or two gestures may not be enough. We need to be aware of facial expression but also combine it with the words that are spoken.
Let’s talk about a few of the most important parts of everyday life connected to non-verbal communication. The first is body language in negotiations. You negotiate all the time – with your friends, partners, boss and subordinates. We are rarely aware that what we do with other people is actually negotiating. All aspects of negotiations involve body language. Recognising facial expressions, postures and gestures in others and using proper language ourselves frequently means success in negotiations. Be aware of body movements immediately after entering the negotiation room. Then proceed by noticing how much space every person needs at the table. Those in authority usually command more personal space. If you want to be successful at negotiations you need to show that you are a confident person: show your enthusiasm, maintain eye contact and give a solid handshake.
The second is body language in selling. Keep in mind that what influences people is not what you say but what you don’t say. Why is that? It is quite simple – as we mentioned at the beginning of the article – it is non-verbal communication that counts, not the words we speak. You should focus on mastering a number of body language signs which will get your product sold. Being enthusiastic and showing that you really believe in what you are doing and selling will convince prospective customers.
The third is body language in job interviews. One may have impressive qualifications and experience but they will not necessarily secure such person a job. Using the proper facial expressions, postures and gestures during a job interview will certainly increase the chances. When you improve your body language skills, you will no longer fear job interviews, even if your qualifications and/or experience are less than impressive.
The fourth is body language in meetings. Even if we are not actively taking part in a discussion our non-verbal communication shows what we are feeling inside. Observing a meeting’s participants can tell a lot about how interesting or boring your talk is. Knowing body language will help you to customize your speech according to the moods of the listeners.
Now you know that non-verbal communication affects all of your life. Actions speak louder than words. If you want to be heard you need to remember that your body language is a huge weapon – if you use it skilfully you will succeed in negotiations, meetings, sales and many other daily activities.
