Communication Skills Body Languages

Body language:

Body language is something that some of us registers and process without even being aware of it and something that others consistently unaware of the valuable clues of emotions and feelings that body language provides. But no matter where you are on the spectrum of awareness, an enhanced understanding of body language can positively impact your business and interpersonal skills.

The basic skills is this: all non-verbal communication has meaning and body language can be a rich source of information for any leader sometimes it’s a sign that you aren’t connecting, as body language contradicts what’s being said other times it signals when a message is getting through. In most cases, being sensitive to body language can help us and support others and build strong relationships.

Here are five truisms about body language:

1.      Your body language communicates all the emotions you feel.

2.      When your body communicates to me is more accurate than what you say, and it speaks before you do. People can often tell what you’re thinking or feeling before you speak. And your actions can speak so loudly they drown out your words.

3.      Employees search a leader’s action for meaning and then act accordingly.

4.      Understanding body language can help leaders know when their message resonates and also when more clarification is needed.

5.      Different cultures, ages and genders can assign different meaning to body language, so it is important to consider the types of people involved.

The signals for gestures and body language:

Self-confidence - standing or sitting tall, with shoulders back and head up; making eye contact and smiling; clasping hands behind your back or placing them on your hips.

Defensiveness - crossed, folded arms; crossed legs with ankles locked; fidgeting.

Disagreement or negative response - head shaking, head down in response to a speaker, crossed arms, clenched fists, interwoven clenched fingers, sitting with leg crossed

Insecurity - standing in scissor pose with ankles locked, sitting with legs intertwined, slouching posture, limited eye contact, keeping head down, gripping your own upper arms.

Interest - strong eye contact, holding head forward and upright, learning upper body forward, slow head nodding, leg pointing in the direction of the speaker, sounds of affirmation.

Nervousness / tension - Touching your face, Biting your lip, grinding teeth, chewing gum, arm- across body moves including reaching across for a drink or to adjust clothing, holding an object in front of the body.

Thoughtfulness/evaluation - steeping hands with fingers and thumbs on opposite hands touching, hand stroking chin, pinching or rubbing nose while listening, chin resting on hand with arm on elbow, head tilted to one side

How can we use this to our benefit?

Thoughts à emotions à behavior

Do you want to improve many, if not all of the social interaction in your life?

It’s simple to say; all you have to do start choosing thoughts that reflect where you want to go, over time you will believe these new and healthy thoughts. You will begin to feel the emotions that reflect these new thoughts. Sooner or later, your life will reflect the fruit of your new thoughts and feelings. Not only will you speak these new thoughts, but you will show it in your body language, even when you’re not trying. You will change your life when you change your thoughts.