Travis Bradberry* says our bodies have a language all of their own and, when read by neurotypicals, their words aren’t always kind.
Your body language has likely become an integral part of who you are, to the point where you might not even think about it.
If that’s the case, it’s time to start, because you could be sabotaging your career.
I’ve found that the upper echelons of top performance are filled with people who are high in emotional intelligence.
These people know the power that unspoken signals have in communication and they monitor their own body language accordingly.
When you’re working hard and doing all you can to achieve your goals, anything that can give you an edge is powerful and will streamline your path to success.
Just make certain you don’t fall victim to any of these body language blunders.
Exaggerated gestures can imply that you’re stretching the truth.
Aim for small, controlled gestures to indicate leadership and confidence.
Open gestures — like spreading your arms apart or showing the palms of your hands — communicate you have nothing to hide.
Crossed arms create a physical barrier that suggests you’re not open to what the other person is saying.
You may be smiling or engaged in a pleasant conversation, but the other person could still get a nagging sense you’re shutting him or her out.
Even if folding your arms feels comfortable, resist the urge to do so.
Inconsistency between your words and your facial expression causes people to sense that something isn’t right and they begin to suspect you’re trying to deceive them.
For example, a nervous smile while rejecting an offer during a negotiation won’t help you get what you want.
It will just make the other person feel uneasy about working with you because they’ll assume you’re up to something.
Turning yourself away from others, or not leaning into your conversation, portrays that you are unengaged and perhaps even distrustful of the person speaking.
Try leaning in towards the person and tilt your head slightly as you listen to them speak.
This shows the person speaking that they have your complete focus and attention.
Slouching is a sign of disrespect.
It communicates you’re bored and have no desire to be where you are.
You would never tell your boss: “I don’t understand why I have to listen to you,” but if you slouch, you don’t have to — your body says it for you.
The brain is hardwired to equate power with the amount of space people take up.
Standing up straight with your shoulders back is a power position.
Slouching, on the other hand, is the result of collapsing your form — it takes up less space and projects less power.
Maintaining good posture commands respect and promotes engagement from both ends of the conversation.
Avoiding eye contact makes it look like you have something to hide, and that arouses suspicion.
Lack of eye contact can also indicate a lack of confidence and interest, which you never want to communicate in a business setting.
Sustained eye contact, on the other hand, communicates confidence, leadership, strength and intelligence.
Eye contact that’s too intense may be perceived as aggressive, or an attempt to dominate.
The way we break contact sends a message, too.
Glancing down communicates submission, while looking to the side projects confidence.
Watching the clock while talking to someone is a clear sign of disrespect, impatience and an inflated ego.
It sends the message that you have better things to do than talk to the person you’re with, and you’re anxious to leave them.
Exaggerated nodding signals anxiety about approval.
People may perceive your heavy nods as an attempt to show you agree with or understand something that you actually don’t.
Fidgeting with or fixing your hair signals you’re anxious, over-energised, self-conscious, and distracted.
People will perceive you as overly concerned with your physical appearance and not concerned enough with your career.
Scowling or having a generally unhappy expression sends the message you’re upset by those around you, even if they have nothing to do with your mood.
Scowls turn people away, as they feel judged.
Smiling, however, suggests you’re open, trustworthy, confident, and friendly.
Weak handshakes signal that you lack authority and confidence, while a handshake that is too strong could be perceived as an aggressive attempt at domination, which is just as bad.
Adapt your handshake to each person and situation, but make sure it’s always firm.
Getting too close to someone (nearer than about 45 centimetres) signals you have no respect for or understanding of personal space.
This will make people very uncomfortable when they’re around you.
Avoiding these body language blunders will help you form stronger relationships, both professionally and personally.
Are there any other blunders you would add to this list?
*Travis Bradberry is the award-winning co-author of the bestselling book, Emotional Intelligence 2.0, and the co-founder of TalentSmart. He can be contacted at talentsmart.com.
This article first appeared at talentsmart.com.
