The power to read body language is a skill that will enhance anyone’s career. Body language is a kind of communication, and it has to be exercised like any other kind of communication. Whether in management or sales, it is essential to understand the body language of others and exactly what your own body is conveying.
Communicating with Body Language
We are always communicating, even when we are not speaking. Unspoken communication makes up over half of what we tell others. It bears on our work and personal relationships. Improves management, negotiating and interpersonal skills by correctly interpreting important signals and body language.
The Power of Body Language:
- It is honest: Body language conveys truth, even when words do not.
- Creates self-awareness: Understanding body language helps you distinguish your own activities that impede success.
- Understand feelings: Body language shows feelings and motivations such as aggression and submission.
- Enhance listening and communication skills: Paying attention to body language makes someone a better listener. Hear between what is being said and the words spoken.
- Proximity: The space between people
- Positioning: Position of a body
- Facial expression: The eyes are especially noted.
- Touching: This includes objects, people, and themselves.
- Breathing: The rate of respiration is telling.
We are constantly reading the body language of other people, even when we are not aware of it. Actively reading body language, however, will improve communication and offer valuable insight. Pay attention to the motions and positions of people around you. Specifically, their head positions, physical gestures, and eyes.
The signs you send to others
You are always sending signals to other people. These signals come through voice, body language, personal space and appearance.
- Body language: Body language includes motions, facial expressions and posture.
- Appearance: A person’s dress and hygiene send signals to others. People get to negative assumptions based on an unkempt appearance.
- Personal distance: Too much personal distance makes people appear cold. On the other hand, not valuing the personal distance of others will suffer negative effects.
- Voice: Tone is important to the way we communicate. Emotions are expressed through tone.
Cultural Differences
International business means working with different cultural backgrounds. While certain expressions are generally known, many gestures are cultural. It is essential to research the communication style and etiquette of whatever culture you do business with ahead of time.