You Are What You Do: 13 Ways to Improve Your Body Language

What you say is only the tip of the iceberg of communication. The rest lies in your body language: how you hold yourself, your mannerisms, conduct, and even how you breathe. With a little conscious effort to improve your body language, you stand a better chance of scoring that job, that date, or simply being seen as the engaging and genuine person that you are.

Body Language Caveats

Before we get into the specific methods of improving your body language, remember that no one gesture is universal. Although crossed arms can signal a communication blockage, it could also be necessary for warmth or simply a comfortable way to hold your arms. Rubbing your eyes could signify frustration, or it could just mean you’re tired or have an itch. Try not to read into body language (yours or others’) too much or too literally.

Culture also plays a part in body language. Some cultures respect personal space more than others, so proximity guidelines would be different depending on who you are dealing with. Other cultures view eye contact as a threat and lack of respect, and not the sign of confidence that many Western cultures view it as.

16 Ways to Improve Body Language

Here are 16 ways to understand and improve your own body language.

1. Be Aware

The first step to body language improvement is awareness. Start to pay attention to everything you do, and when you do it. The other day, I noticed I play with my mobile phone or any object nearby when talking to certain people or about certain topics; with that realization, I can better understand why I do it and what it means. Awareness is half the battle.

2. Study Others

Look at other people — especially people you admire. How do they hold themselves? What can you learn from them?

3. Mirror the Other Person

If you are sitting or standing opposite somebody, mirror their body positions, match their tone, and carry the same pace of conversation. Don’t do it in an obvious or unnatural fashion. Even subtle mirroring can create a synergy and connection, and after a while you’ll both be doing it naturally — you won’t even know who is following who!

4. Be Aware of How You Cross Your Arms and Legs

Many people find crossing arms or legs comfortable, so it’s no use to say you can’t do it. If you want to cross your legs, that’s okay; just be aware of the direction your cross them in, and make sure you cross towards your conversation partner. Beware: crossing your legs in a “figure four” fashion with your ankle resting on your knee can be seen as being stubborn or arrogant.

Also, be aware of other ways of creating crosses with your body; women often grab their opposite shoulder or elbow, or people hold a drink on the table using the opposite hand: these are signs of a lack of confidence or closing your body (and mind) to the conversation.

5. Make Eye Contact

Eyes are windows to the soul, and what you do with them communicates a lot. Be sensitive to cultures that eschew eye contact with elders or strangers; otherwise don’t be afraid to look somebody in the eye. Not only will you say a lot by doing so, but you might also learn a lot.

6. Don’t Slouch

Although sitting ram-rod straight might be a forced exaggeration, make sure you’re not slouching. Your back — and social life — will benefit.

7. Face Your Conversation Partner

Similar to crossing arms and legs, not facing your conversation partner is a sign of distraction or disinterest. You’ll increase engagement by facing your partner, and…

8. Lean In

Have you ever had a conversation that you’re both really enthusiastic about? You’ll probably notice you both are lively, and leaning in towards each other.

9. Don’t Tilt Your Head (Too Much)

Although a slight tilt of your head can indicate interest, too much of a head tilt (women are the main culprits for this) indicates submissiveness.

10. Don’t End Sentences with Upswings

Although intonation isn’t quite body language, it warrants mentioning since it’s part of the subconscious messages we communicate. Ending your sentences like questions indicates a lack of confidence in what you’re saying, which does nothing to instill others’ confidence in you.

11. Go for a Firm or Matching Handshake

Don’t squeeze the life out of your new acquaintance, but a nice firm handshake feels good.

12. Sit in an Engaging Position

Unless you’re star-crossed lovers gazing into one another’s eyes, sitting directly opposite somebody indicates confrontation. It’s even worse with a table or desk in between you, which creates a barrier. Instead, try to sit at a 45 degree angle. This provides comfort, space, and still allows you to mirror and engage.

13. Relax!

Now that you’re probably hyper-aware of everything you do and don’t do, take a deep breath and relax. Adjusting your body language might feel unnatural at first, so don’t force it too much. With a dose of awareness and applying these techniques gently over time, you’ll communicate everything you want to with your words as well as your body.

-www.wisebread.com