![]() When done with intent, mirroring can be an important part of listening (this time listening to what the other person’s body is telling you). When a business colleague mirrors your body language, it’s his or her way of non-verbally saying that they like or agree with you. Research also shows that individuals who lean forward tend to increase the verbal output of the person they’re speaking with 7. When two people like each other, you’ll see them both lean in. Positive attitudes toward others tend to be accompanied by leaning forward – especially when sitting down. It’s a hardwired response from the limbic brain we subconsciously try to distance ourselves from anything unpleasant or dangerous. In a seated conversation, leaning backward can also communicate dominance or disinterest. Leaning backward usually signals feelings of dislike or negativity. Leaning is another way your body indicates your emotions. And, because facial expressions trigger corresponding feelings, the smile you get back actually changes that person’s emotional state in a positive way. When you smile at someone, they almost always smile in return. Most importantly, smiling directly influences how other people respond to you. ![]() A genuine smile comes on slowly, crinkles the eyes, lights up the face, and fades away slowly. Activate Your Smile PowerĪ genuine smile not only stimulates your own sense of well-being, it also tells those around you that you are approachable, cooperative, and trustworthy. People with their hands held at waist level were more comfortable than those with hands chest high. It was his observation that the more insecure individuals felt, the higher they held their coffee. A successful senior executive told me he could evaluate his team’s comfort by how high they held their coffee cups. Even at a coffee break, be aware that you may create a barrier by holding your cup and saucer in a way that seems deliberately to block your body or distance you from others. Take away anything that blocks your view or forms a barrier between you and the rest of the team. Physical obstructions are especially detrimental to looking open and receptive. The head tilt is a universal gesture of giving t he other person an ear. Head tilting is another signal that you are interested, curious and involved. I’ve found that people will talk much more than usual when the listener nods in this manner. To encourage a team member to expand on their comments, nod your head using clusters of three nods at regular intervals. Put your feet flat on the floor and use open palm gestures (which is a body language display inviting others into the conversation). To show that you are receptive to other people’s ideas, uncross your arms and legs. If the arms are relaxed at the sides of the body while standing, this is also generally a sign of openness, accessibility, and an overall willingness to listen and interact. In open and receptive body postures, legs are uncrossed, and arms are open with palms exposed or resting comfortably on the desk or conference table. Rounding the upper body and hiding hands are closed signals that may also represent feelings of vulnerability or depression. In the ultimate closed body posture, arms are folded, legs are crossed and the torso or legs are turned away. We reveal a lot about our attitudes, emotions and motives by the way we hold our bodies, especially when using closed or open postures. It’s important to listen to people - it’s just as important to make sure that they know you are listening. Leaning forward is another nonverbal way to show you’re engaged and paying attention. Instead, focus on those who are speaking by turning your head and torso to face them directly and by making eye contact. If you want people to give you their ideas, don’t multi-task while they do! Avoid the temptation to check your text messages, check your watch, or check out how the other participants are reacting. Here are seven ways to show that you are listening: 1. The strategic use of body language plays a key role in effective communication. ![]() A simple article for the beginners: How your body language shows that you are listening ![]()
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