body language

. Non-verbal CommunicationNon-verbal Communication

Introduction

Aspects:

Body language

Paralinguistics

Proxemics

Haptics

Body Language

Body Language

Dress, make-up, shoes, and hair style

If she dresses like this, she must be

really unorganized with

her work also

Make a habit to dress well

Personal Appearance

Gestures and Hand Movements

A gesture can communicate all that the speaker feels, consciously or unconscious.

Common gestures: Waving hands Making a fist Thumbs up Pointing Crossed arms Hands on knees Rubbing the eye Locking the hands behind

Try to associate meaning to thefollowing gestures

Eye Contact

• Learn to look into the eyes of your co-communicators.

• Avoiding eye contact is seen as an indication of evasion, fear, doubt, vulnerability, inadequacy, and confusion.

• Connect and communicate through your eyes.

•The way we sit, stand, and carry ourselves.

A professional has to cultivate and maintain elegance in his or her sitting standing and walking postures during professional meetings, interviews, group discussions, presentations, and other formal occasions.

Posture

Facial Expressions

Do’s

Smile

Willingness

Honesty

Integrity

Conviction

Don'ts

Frown

Raising or narrowing Eyebrows

Dull face

Smirk

Emotions displayed by the body

EmotionsEmotions

AggressiveAggressiveSubmissiveSubmissive

AttentiveAttentive

NervousNervous

UpsetUpset

BoredBored

RelaxedRelaxed

PowerPower DefensiveDefensive

Characterized by the following traits: Tightened jaws Stiff facial muscles A sombre face Straight staring eyes Thumping on a table Raised voice Animated gestures

Aggressive behaviour is an undesirable

characteristic especially in professional

settings such as interviews and group

discussions

Controlled aggression is a useful tool to

cultivate and execute in team meetings,

negotiations, etc.

Characterized by the following traits:

Head down Slack jawed Frequent nods of agreement Poor eye contact Constricted body posture

Submissiveness is also a negative emotion

and should be avoided in all situations.

The more desirable characteristic of being

flexible should be cultivated and practiced.


Looking straight at the speaker Mild nods of head at periodic intervals Chin and body slightly bent forward towards

the speaker

This is a crucial attribute and should be

developed consciously.

Attentiveness in interviews, meetings, and

discussions with superiors is appreciated and

goes a long way in creating a favourable

impression


Visible lack of confidence-unsteady voice-avoiding eye contact-head bent down

Being restless or fidgety Biting of nails or gripping the chair tightly

Nervousness should be avoided in all situations.

Nervousness shows lack of confidence and

preparation.

It is thus important to identify one’s abilities and

cultivate them as strengths.

Practicing on your hand and body movements, voice,

diction, etc, will help you to be more confident in an

interview or while giving a presentation


Tightened jaws Deliberate frown on the forehead Prolonged disapproving nods Walking impatiently at the back or side of

the room, with head down facing the ground, and annoyed face

Eyes closed occasionally Not having eye contact with others or having

a very cold stare Unstable or losing control over emotions

(e.g., voice shaking, out-of control gestures)

Losing control of one’s emotions, especially

in a professional situation is always

undesirable.

This is one attribute that is tested during a

stress interview and the ability to remain

calm under duress is a valuable asset.


Prolonged or frequent yawns Eyes shut for a long duration Looking around aimlessly Checking watch/mobile phone Blank stares Body bent back to a significant degree

Boredom is another negative

characteristic that quickly creates a

poor impression on an interviewer.

One should concentrate on the task

at hand and develop an interest by

taking notes and coming up with

logical questions.

head straight, chest upright and balanced body

no folds or frown on the forehead easy and quiet breathing arms hanging loosely or confidently

placed in the pocket gentle smile showing on the face calm eyes


This is a positive trait and

creates a favourable impression

on the interviewer or supervisor.

It conveys confidence and the

ability to handle a task

effectively

Relaxedness should however not

be misconstrued as lack of

interest or inattentiveness

outstretched arms while doing a handshake to disallow the other person from coming too close or having a firm grip

confident look (accompanying a firm and deep voice)

evaluative looks and demeanor (questioning speakers)


This is an important personality trait and one

should be aware of one’s power to influence.

However, it is easy to get carried away and

misuse power. Judicious and subtle use of

power is accepted and appreciated in

professional setups.


Tightly folded arms Crossed legs Frown on the face Showing nervousness (while giving excuses)

Defensiveness is a negative emotion and

should be avoided

It generally arises out of a sense of insecurity

and being overly sensitive, both of which are

negative emotions.