-
7/29/2019 How to Convey Confidence With Body Language and
Non-Verbal Cues
1/3
How to Convey Confidence with Body Language and Non-Verbal
Cues
Using body language and sending nonverbal signals cannot be
avoided; however you
have to make sure that you are sending the right ones. The
following list contains the 10nonverbal cues you can use to make
you look confident and credible.
Good Eye Contact
Nonverbal connections starts with eye contact. It conveys your
level of involvement,
warmth, and interest. It is ideal to look directly into the eyes
of the person youre talking
to for two to three seconds before moving to the next person or
looking away. Glancingfor a second or less will only make you look
like someone whos insecure, evasive, and
anxious. So the next time you attend a meeting or receive an
invitation to give a speech,
ask a friend if you are able to engage everyone while talking to
them.
A Firm Handshake
When it comes to nonverbal behaviors, communication through
touch is also essential. A
handshake is always a good idea. A full palm-to-palm contact is
one classic example of a
confident handshake. A handshake is the only suitable expression
of touch in businessthus having one is vital. A good handshake
involves a full and firm grip with palms
clasped, coupled with eye contact and a sincere smile. A
handshake should not be weak
or forceful. It should be firm and should match the strength of
the person youre shaking
hands with. Equal respect must be given to both genders when
shaking hands. Also, ahandshake may be initiated by either
gender.
Effective Actions
Any movement that aids in conveying emotion, opinion, or idea is
called a gesture. Make
an effort to match your words with spontaneous, lively,
purposeful, and natural gestures.Avoid distracting mannerisms like
fidgeting, finger tapping, finger-pointing, scratching,
playing with hair, twisting rings, or wringing hands.
Appropriate Attire
Wearing appropriate work attire is very important. Choose
garments that speak
professionalism. Learn to differentiate between business casual
and businesscareless. Clothes that are well-tailored and made of
high-quality materials are ideal.
For meetings and presentations especially with customers and
people occupying higher
positions, you can wear a business suit or you can include a
jacket as part of the outfit.Do not attempt to wear showy
accessories, tight garments, revealing necklines, and busy
patterns. Always remember to dress for the job or position you
want to have and not for
the job that you currently have. If your long-term goal is
promotion or career
-
7/29/2019 How to Convey Confidence With Body Language and
Non-Verbal Cues
2/3
advancement, it would be helpful to wear something that exudes
professional presence at
work.
To complete the look, keep your nails manicured and the
perspiration under control.
Fresh breath is also a must. Use of cologne or perfume should be
avoided as there might
be others who have allergies or sensitive smell.
Commanding Aura and Posture
Wood recommends taking up space by using the armchairs or
standing with feet a little
apart; 4-6 inches apart for females and 8 inches apart or more
for males in North
America.
Standing tall and straight sends a message of authority,
self-confidence, and energy. To
achieve good posture, imagine your body being pulled by a string
toward the ceiling.
Your weight becomes evenly balanced, feet firmly on the ground,
and visible hands and
arms in relaxed manner. A good posture establishes authoritative
presence andleadership attitude while a bad posture equates to lack
of confidence, low energy, and low
self-esteem.
Appropriate Facial Expressions
Basic human emotions are associated with specific facial
expressions. Because the two
are closely tied to each other, facial expressions become
involuntary and unconscious.
It is important to match your emotion or intended message with
the appropriate facialexpression. Imagine how weird it would be to
describe a healthcare products life-long
benefits with a pensive and fearful facial expression. It is
necessary to be attentive of
your facial expression when talking to others. If you want to
express enthusiasm, youneed to be a little more animated. If it
doesnt feel natural, you can start practicing in
front of a mirror until it becomes one. When listening to
someone, you can show your
full attention through good eye contact, a slight smile, and
occasional nods.
Initiating Contact
Initiating interaction by offering a handshake, making eye
contact, and making the call isa great way to initiate contact.
Unless youre nearing retirement, never wait for someone
to make the first move.
Appropriate Tone
The meaning of your message is not only dependent on the words
used but also on themanner of its delivery, which is referred to as
paralanguage. The term as the nonverbal
elements of the voice, which consist of the voice tone, volume,
pitch and articulation,
inflection, pacing, and pausing. Similar to facial expressions,
it is also a must to choose
the appropriate paralanguage to be able to express the meaning
of the message. You can
-
7/29/2019 How to Convey Confidence With Body Language and
Non-Verbal Cues
3/3
try recording some of your conversations with other people to
know if you are actually
using the appropriate paralanguage when communicating with
others.
Providing Full Attention
Angle your body toward the person you are talking to in order to
express attentivenessand create open body language. Focus on the
conversation and make sure that your arms
and legs are relaxed and uncrossed. With these nonverbal
signals, you are telling the
other person that you honor, respect, and appreciate meeting
them. Also, refrain frommulti-tasking during the conversation. Dont
use your phone, check your e-mail, or
perform other tasks as these show disrespect and
disinterest.
Responding to Nonverbal Signals
When interacting with other people, always pay attention to
their tone and body
language. Learn to listen through your eyes. Their nonverbal
signals can tell you if they
want to say something, want to ask a question, require
explanation, or need a break.Responding to nonverbal cues shows
confidence and high-level of sensitivity and
empathy, which help build trust.
