How to Use Body Language Effectively

You can consciously decide how you use your body language and you can voluntarily change it in the direction you best see fit. Thus, you can improve the message you communicate.

According to most psychological research, your body’s communication has more of an impact in communicating your feelings and attitudes than all the other forms of communication put together.

This means that if you want to transmit a certain attitude, you’ll need to focus on your body language more than anything else. So for example, if you want to demonstrate confidence, you need primarily to discover what confident body language looks like and then apply this knowledge.

Learning how to use body language effectively will not only transform your communication, but given the power of proper communication, it can transform all areas of your life, from your social life, to your relationship, to your career.

The challenge is that there is no single type of effective body language. Depending on the emotions and attitudes you want to communicate, one type of body language may work better than another type.

If you aim to show that you’re relaxed, then you want to stand up straight, but not too straight. If you aim to show dominance, than you do want to stand up as straight as possible and really push your chest forward.

Sometimes, subtle changes in your body language can significantly change the message you’re putting across. So it’s critical to figure out precisely what attitude you want to project and then master the kind of non-verbal communication that projects that attitude.

This being said, there are certain types of body signals that are frequently good and it’s an excellent idea to incorporate them into your non-verbal communication in a voluntary way. Smiling is almost always a positive sign and you want to be smiling a lot.

You also want to hold good eye contact. Try to look at the person you’re talking with about 2/3 of the time for the best effect. In addition, an open posture works wonders in most social situations. Don’t cross you hands and don’t keep them in your pockets. Keep them visible and in an open position.

More than anything else, learning how to use body language effectively is a matter of experimenting, seeing what works and then implementing it in the long-term. It takes time and patience, but you’ll become a master of non-verbal communication.

 

[Dhruv Bindhani]

The provided text highlights the profound impact of body language on communication, asserting that non-verbal cues often convey more than spoken words, feelings, or attitudes. It emphasizes that consciously adjusting one's body language can significantly enhance the effectiveness of communication and, by extension, various aspects of life.

The Power of Non-Verbal Communication​

According to psychological research, body language holds a more significant sway in conveying feelings and attitudes than all other forms of communication combined. This suggests that to transmit a specific attitude, individuals should primarily focus on their non-verbal signals. For instance, to project confidence, one must first understand and then consciously adopt the body language associated with confidence. The text emphasizes that mastering effective body language can transform communication, leading to positive changes in social life, relationships, and careers.

Tailoring Body Language to the Message​

A key insight presented is that there isn't a single "effective" type of body language. Instead, its efficacy is contingent on the specific emotions and attitudes one wishes to communicate. Subtle shifts can dramatically alter the message received. For example, appearing relaxed might involve standing straight but not rigidly so, whereas conveying dominance would necessitate standing as straight as possible with the chest pushed forward. This underscores the importance of precisely identifying the desired attitude to project, and then mastering the corresponding non-verbal cues.

Universally Positive Body Signals​

While customization is crucial, the text identifies several body signals that are almost universally positive and beneficial to incorporate voluntarily:

• Smiling: A smile is nearly always perceived positively and is recommended for frequent use.
• Good Eye Contact: Maintaining eye contact for approximately two-thirds of the conversation time is advised for optimal effect, indicating engagement and sincerity.
• Open Posture: An open posture, characterized by uncrossed arms and visible hands (not in pockets), is highly effective in most social situations, conveying openness and approachability.

Ultimately, learning to use body language effectively is presented as an iterative process of "experimenting, seeing what works and then implementing it in the long-term." It requires patience and consistent effort, but the reward is becoming a master of non-verbal communication.