“Language is a more recent technology. Your body language, your eyes, your energy will come through to your audience before you even start speaking..” - Peter Guber

What is Body Language? :

Body language is nonverbal communication that includes our posture, hand gestures, and movements.

According to experts, nonverbal communication, like body language, makes up around 70-93% of all communication.

Although we use verbal communication (words) to share and speak our opinions, our body language will often communicate even more to our audience than we realize.

Body language is vital when public speaking or presenting to a small or broad audience; here’s why.

What is the Role of Body Language in Communication?

Body language enhances and amplifies the verbal message portrayed through hand signals, gestures, and postures. It helps us to convey emotions and intentions that may not be adequately expressed through words alone. 

For example, a simple smile can convey friendliness, or nodding can obtain understanding. These are just two straightforward examples. Think of body language as a bonus to any verbal conversation.  

Why is Body Language Important? Here are 3 reasons

 No matter how engaging or interesting a speech is, if the speaker’s giving off negative body language signals, the audience is less likely to listen to what they’re saying.

This might sound harsh, but this is just how our brains think.

Now not only is this speaker losing their audience’s interest, but they’re also steering away the audience’s attention from the topic – no matter how important it is. No one wants this to happen.

1. Understand the Feelings of Others

Being able to read body language means you can understand how another person is genuinely feeling using unspoken words and reactions.

Some body language types can be challenging to spot as they happen fast, so you must keep up and stay on the ball.

2. Show You’re Truly Engaged

Do you want to show someone you’re engaged in their conversation without actually saying it?

Use your body language.

If you’re speaking one-on-one with someone, open up your body language using good posture, a healthy amount of eye contact, open hand gestures if discussing, and a smile.

This means no crossed arms, hands on hips, rude hand gestures, or zero eye contact! Using disengaged body language might appear that you're uninterested in what they have to say - even if you're not.

When listening, thinking about your body language will help you bond and develop relationships with anyone you speak to.

3. Demonstrate Your Confidence

Not everyone feels confident, especially if you become uncomfortable under pressure or in front of groups of people.

But even the most visually confident people in the world have days where they don’t feel confident but still look at it.

So how do they do it?

Using body language.

If you look confident using nonverbal communication, your audience will believe in your words and follow your lead.

How to Improve Your Body Language for the Workplace

Just because you’re not singing on stage or a football manager answering questions doesn’t mean the same body language principles don’t apply to you in the workplace.

Body language is your answer if you want to show you're a team player and honestly care about the organization and your colleagues.

Body language in the workplace can help you show your enthusiasm for projects, your team, and their successes, or even your friendliness with new team members.

Using body language will help you find it easier to have conversations with colleagues and team members and achieve what you set out to in the workplace.

This means that by not using nonverbal cues in the workplace, you might be misunderstood and leave others confused about your true thoughts on their conversation or even them.

If you stare at someone and subconsciously grind your teeth, others will notice and become defensive. We advise you not to do this!

1. Move slowly

If you've ever watched a presentation where the speaker rushes their words, uses quick hand gestures, and can't stand in one place, you'll know about this.

Moving quickly with a sense of urgency shows you're uncomfortable and can make your audience feel the same.

Although you might feel uncomfortable, you may not want your audience to know.

By slowing down your movements, you'll become more relaxed and confident in your words - and your audience will too!

2. Ask for Feedback from Your Peers

Try to be aware of the impact your body language is having during different interactions throughout the day. It might even be worth asking for feedback from those you’ve spoken to understand how your body language comes across to others. 

3. Adopt an Open Posture

What's the difference between an open and closed posture?

-An open posture is a relaxed individual who uses available body language, such as facing the person or placing hands apart to appear approachable and receptive.

-A closed posture is when a person crosses their arms or faces away from a person while they're talking. This shows defensiveness and disinterest in the person or the conversation.

By using an open posture, you can build a connection more easily

Bonus Tip: If you find remembering to use a relaxed posture difficult, try mirroring techniques. This is when you pay attention to the body language of others and mirror it subtly - reflecting their expressions or body positions. This doesn't mean mimicking their every move but doing so subtly to create a rapport with that person.

4. Attend a Confidence and Assertiveness Course

If you want to have a positive impact at work or with your colleagues, start by understanding how you are perceived in certain situations. This will help you get the desired results, no matter the context.

Our Public speaking transformation sessions can help you enhance your communication through body language tips and truly understanding your communication style.

Want a taste of what to expect? Attend our free session to discover what you can learn in one of our Confidence & Resilience training courses.

Mastering positive body language isn’t something that can be done overnight - it takes time to be open, confident, and engaged naturally.

But work at it, and you’ll find yourself doing better at poker the next time you play.

Improve Your Daily Interactions at Work with our Public Speaking Sessions.

Body language is just a small part of becoming a fantastic communicator. If you’re trying to improve your communication skills or want to be a more engaging public speaker, consider signing up for Public Speaking Domination Program.