Body language
Body language
Body language
Body language
In my humble view advice on this is overrated and perhaps great if you’re on a date but not
when you are in the workplace. People like people that are friendly, kind, receptive, open,
energetic and fun. If you put as many of these into your work-life (even if you don’t feel
like it) everyone around you will feel better and as a result you will too.
Look, the first thing I do when I am feeling miserable at work is go up to the first person I
see (there are only one or two maximum that I would avoid) and start a light hearted or
even jovial conversation. Their face lights up, they feel good and the next thing I know I
am trotting to my office feeling so much better. It works. I’m not talking about a major
disaster in your life of course, I wouldn’t pretend that a two minute conversation by the
water cooler makes everything seem better, but when you’ve had a pretty hard session at
work and you need cheering up, you can actually kick-start the process yourself.
Now here’s the thing. If you feel good about yourself, and hence friendly and cheerful, what
are the chances that you will sit there in a meeting with you arms crossed with a glum face
on? Pretty unlikely eh?
Sure, a firm rather than ‘wet’ handshake can make a small difference and sitting up straight
rather than slouching will give a better impression. But what rank much higher than all
these are energy, fun and amiability. The last one comes with the first two. How often do
you hear “I didn’t give that person the job because they had their arms crossed”? Or,” I’m
not meeting with them again because they slouched in their chairs”? Hey, but what about
“that person didn’t smile at all, had no energy and made the meeting flat.”
Yup, it’s energy and enthusiasm that you need. If you have no energy and enthusiasm then
make out that you have as the real stuff will surely follow.
But for those who still want some body language tips here you go:
• Shake hands firmly
• Sit up straight
• Look at people when they are talking to you (rocket science stuff). I must admit that
it is indeed annoying when you are speaking and the other person is looking
anywhere but at you. In fact, it you want to play a good game when you suspect
someone is not listening to you, make sure you ask for their input, opinion or
agreement at that time. I guarantee you will get one of the following responses:
o Sorry, could you repeat the question
o I’m not sure where you were coming from
o Run that past me again
o Yeso Could you add some colour (detail)?
So what you have to do is make sure that you have been very clear, have given
them all the colours of the rainbow and have not left them any excuse for not
understanding. If you want to make a point close the conversation down (end it)
and let them suffer in silence. I dislike rudeness both inside and outside the office
and don’t see why we should tolerate some superiority complex. Of course, if you
have gone on and on about a single issue until the end of time it may be that they
are too polite to leave so above all be fair to both them and you.
• Smile. Clearly if you disagree with something you shouldn’t be sitting their smiling
and nodding away, but if one of your objectives is to put the other people at ease
and to support them during a meeting, then remember to look positive (smile) and
react positively to the contributions they make.
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