“We had body language before we had speech, and apparently, 80% of what you understand in a conversation is read through the body, not the words.” Deborah Bull
Many factors influence body language and how people respond. It can be complex, but when you want interactions to go well, start with first impressions. With your stance and expression, set up the situation to be positive. Some simple cues:
- Posture: Slouching may project negativity and boredom. Stand or sit straight (and smile).
- Crossed arms: can be seen as intimidating, or defensive. Try keeping your hands at your side, behind your back or clasped in your lap when sitting. The person you're speaking with is more likely to feel that you're engaging with them and what they’re saying.
- Fidgeting: This looks nervous or bored, rather than confident. Breathe evenly and listen. Resist the urge to fix your hair, swivel your chair or fuss about with your clothing.
- Eye Contact: This can be tricky. You don't want to overdo it and come across as too intense but avoiding eye contact can seem like you have something to hide. Find a balance, project that you're paying attention but not coming across aggressively.
- Exaggerated Gestures: It's easy to get carried away, especially if you're talking about your product, service or business. Flamboyance can be fun but can also be mistrusted. Be aware of the gestural language of the people you’re speaking with and try mirroring it. Control your gestures to project an air of professionalism.
Mastering body language is about awareness and balance—by consciously refining your posture, gestures, and expressions, you can create a positive, confident presence that fosters trust and engagement in every interaction.
"I have had regular monthly coaching with Michelle for two years, I found Michelle kind and thoughtful, also analytical. It is helpful each session to review the numbers, budgeting and discuss forecasting with the different events that are occurring in the trust regularly. Each meeting our discussions resulted in myself as CEO to understand the numbers more and receive helpful tips towards improving our financial reporting to make them more readable and understandable to the board."
