Infographic - Getting ahead in business with body language

The words you use can be reinforced or completely undermined by non-verbal communication signals you send. Whether your goal is to land a new job, bring a new client on board or persuade people to support a cause you believe in, the body language you use could help you land your next deal.

Body Language Could Help You Land Your Next Deal

Whether your ‘next deal’ is to land a dream job, dream client or enlist the help of others to turn dreams into reality, the body language you bring to the table could be just as important as the words you choose to use.

Perfect pitch is a musical term that refers to an individual’s ability to sing, hum or otherwise hit a note precisely, without external reference. When it comes to hitting a perfect note in an important meeting or conversation, the physical pitch you adopt could make or break your presentation.

While some people seem to have a natural ability to adopt the perfect body language for a given situation, the good news for the rest of us is that we don’t have to rely on hitting the perfect body pitch in the absence of external references; we can learn about body language, and we can practice.

Inc.com recently published an infographic on how business professionals can use body language effectively so that it helps support reaching their goal, whether that goal is to persuade the hiring manager to make an offer, get a new client to sign on the dotted line or win the support of others in support of an idea or cause.

Did you know? As human beings, most of us are highly visual. We take in the world around us:

82% – Eyes
11% – Ears
7% – Other senses

On average, people remember twenty percent of what they see, but only ten percent of what they hear. That number increases exponentially when senses are combined. In fact, people remember about 80% when both visual and audio inputs are received.

Since we are highly visual creatures, it’s not that surprising then that human beings can produce more than 5,000 distinct hand gestures and assume more than 1,000 postures! In fact, human beings can make more than 250,000 facial expressions. However, of those, only six are universally recognized:

Happiness
Sadness
Surprise
Disgust
Anger
Fear

Body Language to Use in the First 7 Seconds

Given that first impressions are made within about the first seven seconds, you may not even have time to put your words to work before a prospective client, boss or investor decides whether they want to engage with you. When meeting someone new, be sure to adopt an open posture, don’t back away when they are talking, stay as close as is appropriate (without invading their personal space) and try to mirror their body language.

When the first impression turns into a real meeting, maintain your professional, polite and personal approach. Smile and nod and look for areas of common interest, even if those occur in personal rather than professional domains. Don’t flirt, don’t use profanity and avoid crossing the line from friendly to flirtatious. Don’t fidget, look at your watch or play with your hair (no personal grooming) and don’t interrupt.

Did you catch that? DO NOT INTERRUPT! There is no more obvious way of telling someone else that you believe you are more important than they are than by interrupting what they have to say. Even if you are excited because you are (or have) the answer to their prayers, let them finish what they want to say!

Body Language to Use While Trying to Persuade

Often times a presentation is poorly received not because the topic was uninteresting or the data weak but because the presenter did not understand that how they made the presentation was as important as what they said.

Practice, practice, practice! You can’t employ body language to your benefit if you have to rely on notes or a computer screen to get through your pitch. Make sure you are well-versed in what you want to say so that you can make eye contact with attendees, move toward them when making important points and avoid looking at your own presentation slides.

Solicit attendee buy-in or buying objections by stepping back and adopting a listening posture after you have made your pitch (or at an appropriate point during the presentation). When someone voices a concern, question or objection, repeat it back in your own words to be sure you have understood the topic, then respond in an open, non-defensive posture.

Body Language to Use with Co-Workers

Landing your dream job is just the beginning. If you plan on moving up in the organization or need to lead people (informally or formally as part of the position), it will be important for you to understand how your body language can contribute to efforts to win people over, foster teamwork or get reluctant colleagues to contribute ideas to your projects.

Make co-workers feel safe when sharing information or ideas by moving toward them, smiling and staying positive, nodding affirmation and aligning your own body with theirs so you are facing in the same direction. When working as part of a team, maintaining good posture and holding your head high communicates confidence, authority and attentiveness. Lean forward when you want to talk, and try leaning back when you want others to take center stage.

Sooner or later you are going to be faced with the challenge of dealing with an angry co-worker. Body language can help you diffuse tense situations or elevate them to the next level. When dealing with someone who is angry, your number one goal should be to convey to them that you understand what they are feeling.

Adopt a non-defensive (and non-aggressive!) posture by keeping your hands down and even spreading your arms slightly away from your body, with your hands open. Keep your palms facing down. Listen, listen, listen, listen some more, and – when they come up for air – reflect emotions and convey empathy. Even if your co-worker is in the wrong, it’s best to diffuse the situation and revisit the topic when emotions are not as highly charged.

You might also like: 4 Ways to Become the Business Leader You Always Wanted Yourself – Infographic