Our movements, facial expressions, body positions play an important role in business communication. Often we do not attach importance to this, but in vain: our career may depend on how we behave in the office or in business negotiations.
How might others interpret the gestures, facial expressions, and involuntary postures we adopt during negotiations, meetings, or group discussions?
1. Slouch shows disrespect and lack of interest. In addition, our brains are programmed to consider a person who takes up more space in space to be stronger. Shrinking or slouching, we unwittingly demonstrate weakness.
2. Too energetic gesticulation gives the impression that the person is not saying something. Short, precise gestures show leadership and confidence, while open poses—arms outstretched or palms facing the other person—show you have nothing to hide.
3. Looking at the clock you show disrespect, impatience and inflated self-importance: as if you have more important things to do and want to end the conversation as soon as possible.
4. Turning away from the interlocutor, not leaning towards him, a person shows a lack of interest, discomfort and, possibly, even distrust. Try to lean towards the speaker and turn your head slightly to one side. This will show the interlocutor that you are listening with full attention.
5. Crossed arms (and partly cross-legged) demonstrate closedness. Even if you smile at the same time, the interlocutor will not leave the feeling that you are pushing him away.
6. Mismatch between your words and facial expressions will cause a vague feeling of anxiety among the interlocutors, and you may be suspected of deception.
7. Too much head nodding shows that you depend on the approval of others. You seem to be trying to pretend that you agree with everything, this may look insincere.
8. Fixing hair or playing with it, you demonstrate nervousness, uncertainty, inattention.
9. Avoiding eye contact, you make it clear that you have something to hide, and arouse suspicion. It also gives the impression of uncertainty and lack of interest.
10 Too long eye contact considered aggression, an attempt to dominate. On average, people continuously look into the eyes of the interlocutor for 7-10 seconds. It is advisable to take them not down, but to the side – this demonstrates confidence.
11 Rolling your eyesYou are clearly showing disrespect.
12 Frowning or just an unhappy look repels interlocutors, it may seem to them that you condemn them.
13 Weak handshake shows weakness and insecurity, and too strong – an attempt to dominate. The strength of the handshake should vary depending on the situation, but it should always be firm.
14 clenched fists, as well as crossed arms and legs, show closeness. It also gives the impression that you tend to argue and aggressively defend your position, which can unnerve interlocutors.