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It is known that what we say and how we say things are important. If you say the wrong thing, it will convey the wrong message to your audience. The same goes for body language. Having effective body language is imperative to send the right messages.
The three key aspects of body language are eye contact, hand gestures, and posture. If you can master these, you will be able to successfully communicate in and outside of the workplace.
Eye Contact
Eye contact is important since it subconsciously shows people that you are listening and care about what they have to say. Think back to a time when you were presenting in a class or to a group. What went through your head when you saw people looking down or on their phones? You probably assumed they were not listening to you. To avoid being the person who looks like they are not paying attention, maintain eye contact.
Hand Gestures
Want to keep people’s attention? Use hand gestures when you are speaking. What you do with your hands can be distracting to your audience. For instance, if you are fidgeting with a pen while you are speaking, it can convey the message that you are nervous and sway the attention of your audience.
Instead, use your hands to emphasize what you are saying. Keep them in front of you and do not overdo them. Check out this great article to learn how to master the art of hand gestures here.
Posture
Having great posture shows people that you are confident. You should always keep your shoulders back and have your head held high. Think about what impression you are making if your shoulders are slumped and your head is down. You will come across as lazy and not interested.
Having proper posture not only displays confidence but can show people that you are energetic and interested in what is being said.
Overall, body language can make or break the message you are conveying. From this blog, you should take some time and think about your body language. Do you maintain eye contact when speaking with people? What do you do with your hands when speaking? Are you always standing tall? Ask these questions to yourself and practice proper body language to effectively communicate.
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