How To Use Body Language To Lead A Conversation
Body language is a form of human communication that everyone
uses, whether they realize or not when they do use it. Body
language is used in the business world; in relationships; in
general conversations, and more. We actually use body language
in every interaction that we have, regardless of how slight
that use of body language might be. Those who are deaf and use
sign language to communicate with understand the communicating
power of body language perhaps best, especially when
communicating with someone who is not familiar with sign
language.
Head movements, body positioning, hand signals, eye contact,
lip gestures and leg motions all are used in sending messages
to those we are communicating with. By becoming aware of how we
use these methods of communicating and developing these skills,
we can lead conversations and interactions into specific
directions.
Let's take, for an example, the job interview. Job
interviews can be nerve-wracking, but nervousness is not
necessarily a good message to send the employer as it can
indicate a lack of confidence or insecurity. As a body language
nervousness can be noticeable and can lead the interviewer to
asking more questions than you might want.
The best body language to use in a job interview is to
calmly enter the interview room and slowly seat yourself in the
chair. Sit straight in the chair and be sure feet are flat on
the floor. As you are talking with the interviewer keep your
posture straight. Be prepared to use hand gestures
simultaneously with your verbal conversation as the interview
proceeds. However, you want to these gestures within the
boundaries of your verbal language at all times. You want to
demonstrate professionalism, and body language can communicate
this quite effectively.
Eye contact, as a body language, is a very important
communicating strategy. Maintaining eye contact with the person
you are communicating with lets the other know you are
interested in what they have to say. If you let your eyes
wander around too much this will indicate to the other that you
are bored and not interested in what they have to say. This can
be damaging to an interview, especially if you looking downward
to the floor. Eye contact is not only an interview strategy,
but it applies to practically every conversation you might
have.
However, there is some balance that must be applied to eye
contact as well. You don't want to appear as if you are
staring. For most people, especially for women, staring is
disrespectful and has a tendency to make the other person
nervous about your intentions. If you're at a club or party for
example, staring at other people could actually create some
unfavorable situations for you.
Facial expressions are another body language that can make
or break an interaction. A gradual, almost undetectable nod,
infers to other person that you understand what they are
saying. However, if your nod is more of hard jerky sort it can
indicate that you are impatient with the other, or that you
can't wait to respond. This latter indication could send
signals relating to control issues, which impatience does point
to.
Combining the nod in a slight tilting way, with a gentle
smile delivers the message that you are approachable. People
like people who are approachable. However, the smile, for best
results, should be sincere. An ongoing smile, or grin in many
situations, can indicate that you are superficial and
insincere. This could make you unapproachable.
Appropriate conversational question, along with the right
body language, draws the other person deeper into the
conversation. The right body language can send the message of
your interest to the other and this interest is what can give
you the ability to lead the conversation.
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:
http://www.howtotalkwithconfidence.com/blog
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