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"I don't let my mouth say nothing my head can't stand." Louis Armstrong Since the 1970’s, learning how to communicate better has had a lot to do with understanding body language. Back in 1970, Julius Fast wrote a book entitled "Body Language". The book talked about something he called Kinesics. The book was the starting point for the study of body language. Nowadays, the term Body Language is well known and is accepted as being an important element of communication. Communication experts, in fact, are now suggesting that only 7% of the meaning of what a person is saying comes from their words. Much of the rest comes from so-called non-verbal communication. In examining person-to-person communications, about 38% of the "message" comes from the tone of the voice; 55% of the meaning is derived from the body language of the person that is speaking. This breakdown was established by studies that were published in the late 1960’s. There is some disagreement regarding the actual percentages. However, the facts are generally not in disputer. If you haven't been able to learn the basics of body language, you are lacking an important tool for better communications. Body language "speaks" on a subliminal level -- we are not consciously aware that we are communicating through body talk. 1. Face Without a doubt, the most expressive part of your body is your face. If you feel nervous When you enter a room, the expression on your face may make you appear unfriendly or aloof. Presenting a warm smile upon entering the room is a wonderful way to remove anyone’s doubts about your approachability. Smiling makes us appear open, friendly and confident. 2. Eyes It is often said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. Your eyes give people clues about what emotions you are experiencing. A direct gaze towards someone normally indicates interest, however a direct stare usually indicates an intense dislike. Avoiding eye contact often tells people that you are shy. 3. Hands Take the opportunity, sometime, to watch someone’s hand gestures when they are talking. Open hand gestures often make a person seem open and honest. Bringing your hands together to a point accentuates the point you are making. On the other hand, if you Wring your hands or keep moving your fingers and hands will make people think you are nervous. It often makes someone look dishonest. Is the fidgeting of the hands an indication that the person trying to hide something? 4. Posture Your posture also "speaks" volumes. Leaning towards someone indicates that you are showing an interest in that person. If we are slouching our shoulders and looking at the ground often indicates that we are lacking in confidence. Men and women use different body language. For instance, women will stand close to each other, hold eye contact with the person they are talking to and use gestures. Men make little effort to maintain eye contact and don’t rely on the use of gestures to communicate. Men and women can learn how to communicate better by observing the differences in their use of body language. Peter Murphy is a peak performance expert. He recently produced a very popular free report: 10 Simple Steps to Developing Communication Confidence. This report reveals the secret strategies all high achievers use to communicate with charm and impact. Apply now because it is available for a limited time only at: www.howtotalkwithconfidence.com/report.htm |