10 Simple Yet Powerful Body Language Tipshttp://goo.gl/Qy6Pbx

COMPILED BY – GIRISH CHANDRA ANANTHANARAYANA

CDPRESOURCES.COM

Body Language

Body language – clues of unspoken intentions or feelings revealed through physical behaviour body postures, gestures, facial expressions, and eye

movements – mostly subconscious

Unintentional gestures have been found to convey useful information in specific contexts  eye rub, chin rest, lip touch, nose itch, head scratch,

 ear scratch, crossing arms, finger lock and so on 

The World of Gestures!

Managing the Body Language

First step towards understanding Body Language is BECOMING AWARE of how our Body Responds to situations Aware, Observe, Learn, Change

In the following slides are 10 body language tips (based on Carol Kinsey Goman’s article on Forbes)

Body Language – Tip 1

1. Breathe, and Relax! Before an important meeting or presentation, it is

natural to be tense and the body exhibits it for others to see

Breathe slowly and deeply; take a deep breath and exhale through your mouth

This releases the tension in your neck, shoulders and jaw that can make you look rigid or aggressive

Consciously relax and be observant of your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors – relax!

Body Language - Tip 2

2. Use your body: Move, Pause, Stand Human beings are drawn to movement and change Moving when speaking will attract people’s attention, but

too much movement can create distraction Move toward the audience when making a key point; move

away when you want to signal a break or a change of subject Use space when referring to different ideas

When presenting three issues, talk about each of them from a different physical position

Present “bad” and “good” news from different sides of the stage

Don’t move while making a crucial comment Stand absolutely still to highlight your most important

points

Body Language – Tip 3

3. User Your Palms to display authority To look decisive, face your palms down Palms exposed (facing up) show you are open and

willing to negotiate Palms turned down indicate you are closed to

negotiation A definitive gesture of authority is placing both hands /

palms down on the conference table

Body Language – Tip 4

4. Take Your Time, but Speak Up Early Speak up early if you want to be taken seriously Offering opinions toward the end of the conversation is

more likely to be discounted By speaking up early you are someone who is “at the

table” and ready to participate

Body Language – Tip 5

5. Watch others’ body language People signal their emotions and thoughts through

body When they are ready to leave, they often take the

position of someone ready to rise moving to the edge of the chair, or leaning forward with hands

on the arms of the chair or hands on knees.

Respect the signal and finish what you are saying Learn from the signals that others offer to you, and

adapt it in your vocabulary

Body Language – Tip 6

6. Make or Build Rapport People respond to our postures, gestures, and language When seated for negotiation or discussion, push back

from the table and lean away from your counterpart The counterpart often reacts by backing away too  Now lean forward, put your hands on the table (palms

showing), look him or her in the eyes and smile Interaction warms up and is much more friendly / open Your body language can help you build or break rapport

7. To sound dynamic, widen your stance Voice comes from your entire body, not just your

mouth, use your body to become a more dynamic speaker

A broad stance keeping feet planted firmly on the floor, hips-width apart, with weight evenly distributed calms the nervous system, allows you to breathe with ease, and amplifies your voice

It also signals confidence to yourself and people seeing you

Body Language – Tip 7

8. To stay in control, take a step back When stuck or feel you are losing control, back up –

take one step back and assert yourself Backward motion is a powerful way to enhance

cognitive control According to a research, people in difficult situations improved

the ability to cope by simply taking a step back (literally)

Body Language – Tip 8

Body Language - Tip 9

10. Increase team productivity, keep your body language open

“emotional contagion” - People monitor for emotional cues; if your body looks closed, depressed or angry, people subconsciously pick up and mimic your state

Keep your posture relaxed, inclusive and open, your team will respond by being more cohesive, positive and productive

Your team reflects your state

Body Language – Tip 10

10. Smile, without a reason Whatever the situation – smile Smile induces a lot of positive energy in you

and in people around you If you are feeling tensed – smile If you are feeling ignored – smile If you are feeling fearful – smile If you are feeling anxious – smile Smile your way to success, and keep smiling!

You are gifted with mind, body and

emotions. Use them to your benefit.

Girish Chandra Ananthanarayana

girish.cdp@gmail.com /cdpresources.com

Reference: http://www.forbes.com/sites/carolkinseygoman/2014/01/02/10-simple-and-powerful-body-language-tips-for-2014/2/