We’ve all heard about body language, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t actually understand the inner workings.
For example, did you know that crossing your arms over your body is defensive and could make you look like you have something to hide? You might think you’re just a little cold and trying to keep warm, but to someone else, it could be interpreted in a completely different way!
Being aware of body language helps you to communicate in a far more effective way, whether you’re at home or sitting at your office desks discussing issues with customers, management and your colleagues. Of course, if you’re in a job interview, your body language could also be extremely vital in terms of whether the interviewing panel take your meaning and your words to be true, or whether they might think you’re hiding something.
Check out this infographic which highlights a few body language tips for job interviews, however, these tips can also be used in general workplace communication too.
Source - https://visual.ly/community/infographic/education/6-body-language-tips-your-next-interview
The words you say can be totally contradicted by your body language, which is problematic if you’re dealing with a complaining customer or you are trying to collaborate around the boardroom tables with your colleagues and they misunderstand you. This could, eventually, lead to office conflict.
Also, you might be someone who isn’t at their sharpest first thing in the morning and in the first hours of your working day you might be less mindful of how you’re coming across to others. Your body language, in this case, can speak for you quite drastically.
So, what are the main body language no-nos to avoid if you want your words to be taken in the way you intend them to be?
- Avoiding eye contact - If you’re being quite honest and truthful but you’re avoiding eye contact, you’re going to show the other person that you’re lying or hiding something. Of course, you might just be distracted by something else, but the other person isn’t going to know that. Make sure you maintain eye contact if you want to avoid the other person thinking you’ve got something to hide.
- Crossing your arms across your body, or your legs - This is defensive body language and shows that you’re hiding something once more. A shy employee may hold their arms across themselves in this way to act as a barrier of protection. If you picture someone saying to you “I’m fine” but then crossing them arms across themselves and avoiding eye contact, are you going to believe their words? No!
- Fidgeting - Not only if fidgeting ultra-annoying to everyone but it’s also showing the other person that you really don’t have the time to listen to them. Perhaps you’re sat on the boardroom chairs and a colleague is telling you about an idea they’ve had, and you’re listening but you’re fidgeting. You’re telling the person that you’re not paying attention and you don’t care about their idea, even if you really do.
- Turning your body away from the person you’re speaking to - If you do this, you’re basically giving them the “cold shoulder”. You might actually be listening to them, but you’re showing them that you’re not. It’s a better idea to face the person you’re listening and speaking to and lean in ever so slightly to show that you’re paying attention.
These are just four body language examples which contradict your words and are therefore things you need to be aware of.
When communicating at work, you need to ensure that you’re not only saying the right words but that you’re watching your body language too. There are other nonverbal communication signs you need to be cautious of, including tone of voice and speed of speech. The entire picture together gives the person you’re communicating with an idea of whether you’re actually telling the truth, or perhaps you mean something else entirely.