10 Body Language Tips to Boost Confidence (June 2020)

10 Body Language Tips to Boost Confidence (June 2020) 10 Body Language Tips to Boost Confidence in 2020 Image Source: pixabay.comUnderstanding non-verbal communication and taking heed of body language tips to understand what people are truly ‘saying’, has become perhaps more  significant  than ever in modern business life.Face-time with clients and colleagues is at a premium in this fast-paced digital world, so research into  non-verbal communication is a powerful tool, helping you to understand not only the true intentions of others, but also what you are conveying through your own body language.While the  overall physical image, grooming and apparel is important in the profession arena, you can exponentially boost the impression that others have of you by studying and practising positive body language. There are great reference texts that you should study closely, including James Borg’s Body Language: How to Read Others, Detect Deceit, and Convey the Right Message. On the other side of the coin, you should definitely check out the intriguing and incredibly useful  What Every BO DY is Saying: An Ex-FBI Agent’s Guide to Speed-Reading People,  in which  former  FBI counterintelligence officer Joe Navarro and co-author Marvin Karlins show you how to positively reinforce your words, while also helping you decode the sentiments and behaviour of others through their body language.These studies of scientifically proven body language tips will show you that is possible, with minimal physical effort, to make a  potent, powerful and positive  impact on how others engage with you and what you are saying.Here are 10 body language tips to help you make an instantly positive impression in the workplace. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); 1. Shake Hands for Instant ConnectionImage Source: PixabayThe tradition of the business handshake is a potent, primal form of human non-verbal communication. Even the most fleeting physical contactâ€"a fleeting, fraction-of-a-second touch  on someones  arm, hand or shoulderâ€"creates a bond between people, and that is why the handshaking ritual is so important. Research suggests that people are twice as likely to remember you if you shake their hand than if you do not. And the recipient of the handshake is likely to be more open and friendly towards you too.2. Smile the World Smiles With YouSmiling, genuinely smiling, is an almost magical, and always positive, form of non-verbal communication. A truly felt smile makes you feel better about yourself, and to others, it signals that you are approachable and someone who can be trusted. It is also infectious. When you smile at a person, they will always smile back, and, as weve seen, it also triggers a positive change  within that person’s emotional wellbeing.  As the old saying goes, “smile and world smiles with you”.A genuine smile not only stimulates your own sense of well-being, it also tells those around you that you are approachable, cooperative, and trustworthy. A genuine smile comes on slowly, crinkles the eyes, lights up the face, and fades away slowly. Most importantly, smiling directly influences how other people respond to you. When you smile at someone, they almost always smile in return. And, because facial expressions trigger corresponding feelings, the smile you get back actually changes that person’s emotional state in a positive way. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); 3. Gesture, for Greater  Clarity of ThoughtUse of the hands is important in conversation. To others, it suggests passion and enthusiasm. In addition, research  has also  found that from the listener’s perspective, a person who ‘talks’ with their hands will be viewed in a more positive light than a person who does not, who will likely be seen as colder, more removed and less agreeable. And decisively, it has also been scientifically established that, as gesturing is integrally linked to speech in the wiring of our brains, using the hands actually enhances the clarity of thought and articulacy of the speaker as well.4 . Dismantle Barriers to CommunicationIt pays to be conscious of anything that might be construed as a barrier between you or others. Barriers to communication can range in size from physical office partitions down to something as apparently insignificant as a coffee cup, or even a pen. Depending on where these are held by a person, it can signal defensiveness or a protective wall.  Something as apparently insignificant as a coffee cup or even a pen can signal a barrier to communication, or defensiveness. The higher a person holds their hands, or a coffee cup, pen or diary directly correlates to levels of insecurity. If people hold their hands or anything else at waist level or lower, it generally indicates that they’re more confident and secure. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); 5. Voice Control Helps Establish AuthorityImage Source: PixabayVoice control is vital during presentations and, in particular, during the all-aural contact of a telephone call. It’s vi tal to relax properly prior to the occasion, and consciously establish the optimal pitch of your natural speaking voice. Control not only volume, but also the direction of how your voice is pitched. Dont pitch up at the ends of sentences, which is inquisitive, and suggests that you’re seeking  approval. To establish your point, begin  on the optimal pitch, and steadily rise in pitch throughout, before dropping down again on your conclusion. This is known as the authoritative arc of verbal communication.6. Be Seen to ListenTo truly engage, it isnt enough to listen to others. You have to appear as if you’re listening. So ensure your body language indicates focus and interest by adopting non-verbal means of communicating that you are doing so. You may be a multi-tasker, but dont do anything else while a team member is speaking to you. Instead, if you’re seated, turn your entire body towards the person who is speaking. Even better, lean forward and nod, and make eye contact with t he person who’s speaking. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); 7. Consciously Mirror the Body Language of OthersWhen in discussions with clients or business colleagues whom you admire or wish to work or collaborate with, be vigilant for opportunities to mirror their body language. Observe people in conversation when in agreement: often the person who is being spoken to will unconsciously mirror the body language of the person who is speaking. If you do this consciously, it will help establish reciprocity between you and others. It requires a subtle, light-touch approach, but if you study the body language traits of others and then adopt similar poses or gestures, it will almost certainly make the other person feel validated.8.  Feet Positioning Tells AllThe positioning of the feet  is one of the least observed parts of the body when one is listening to a speaker. But feet positioning can speak volumes about the true feelings of a speaker. For instance, if you are sp eaking to someone and their feet are pointed away from you, they are most likely not in agreement with you. In addition, foot movements, in the form of fidgeting, shuffling, propping or even subtle kicking outward, tend to suggest that the speaker is not confident or secure about  what they are saying.  Dont forget, body language refers to the non-verbal communication of the entire body, not just the face and postures and gestures of the upper body. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); 9. Uncrossing the Arms Legs Improves RecallResearch has laid bare some fascinating facts about crossed arms and crossed legs, most about how this indicates defensiveness, insecurity, or negativity towards what is being said. But perhaps the most fascinating research revelation of all is that uncrossing the arms and legs also improves memory retention. As a listener, think of uncrossing the arms and legs as dismantling a barrier between you and what is being said. And as a speaker who o bserves crossed arms and legs either in a large audience, or in smaller groups, look for opportunities to have people uncross their arms and legs before you attempt to persuade them of your pitch.10. Adopt a Power Pose to Boost ConfidenceImage Source: PixabayIf you’re nervous about a big presentation or a crucial meeting with a big client, research shows that simply adopting a power pose physically boosts your confidence. Discreetly grab a private moment before the occasion, and stand with your  head back and legs and arms outstretched, with palms wide open, holding the pose for about two minutes. This posture stimulates production of the power hormone testosterone, and suppresses production of cortisol (which is  linked with stress).Follow these 10 simple yet potent and powerful body language tips to  make a significant impact on how you relate with colleagues  in your place of work, and gain  insight into the true intentions of the new clients that you meet  in the course of you r business.