How’s Your Body Language?

Community Manager — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 17:11:00 GMT

The Oscar winning movie The King's Speech gives the spoken word center stage but effective communicators know that body language plays a crucial supporting role.

Want to make a positive impression? Be sure your body language conveys confidence and poise. On your to-do list:

Smile
Make eye contact
Firm handshake
Erect posture, but not too stiff
Lean forward in your chair if seated

Negative non-verbal cues to avoid include:

Fidgeting
Clenched hands
Playing with your hair
Avoiding eye contact
Crossing your arms

Let Your Intention be Your Guide

Worried that remembering body language tips will hamper, rather than enhance, your communication style? Or perhaps you're skeptical about the importance of this "unspoken" language? Top communications coach and academic theorist Dr. Nick Moran advocates letting your subconscious be your guide. Dr. Moran argues that consciously trying to direct your body language can actual come across as phony.

Rather, Dr. Moran recommends forgetting about your body language and instead focusing on your intent. What emotion, or information, do you wish to convey? If you want to convey excitement, anger, poise or determination, your focus as a communicator should be on telegraphing that emotion. If you do so, Moran argues, your body language will unconsciously line up with that emotion. Bingo! Your body language is reinforcing your spoken word.

For more tips on persuasive public speaking, read Dr. Moran's series of posts on Forbes.com.

Are you influenced by a person's body language? Share your thoughts here and at the Pendaflex Facebook page.

by Candie Harris

Watch the Body Language

Community Manager — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:59:00 GMT

By Candie Harris

Lie to Me is a fascinating TV series inspired by the real-life work of Dr. Paul Eckman, a psychologist who uses clues embedded in the human face, body and voice to assist in criminal investigations. As a psychology major, I have always been fascinated with using body language to try and read people.

Most of us likely accept that we can learn a lot about others and ourselves by attuning to body language. Yet, few of us are naturally fluent in this kind of non-verbal communication. It is a skill we must acquire and nurture.

Fortunately, the Web is here to support us. With a quick trip to the search box, you can find practical tips and insights on:

· Body language basics

· Communicating without words

· Translating common gestures into business vernacular

· Generation-Y's inability to read non-verbal cues

But, before declaring ourselves (self-taught) body language experts, we should heed what communication theorist and coach Nick Morgan writes in an article titled The Truth Behind the Smile and Other Myths - When Body Language Lies. While Morgan recognizes the business value of decoding non-verbal cues, he argues that, "in the end, body language conveys important but unreliable clues about the intent of the communicator."

Maybe the best course of action in our business, and personal, interactions is to couple our powers of observation with some genuine dialogue that sheds light what the other person is feeling and experiencing.

Beyond Folders : body language

How’s Your Body Language?

Watch the Body Language