B is for… Body Language

What is body language?

Put simply, body language is the unspoken element of communication that we unconsciously use to reveal our true feelings and emotions. This includes our gestures, facial expressions and posture.

Body language can be extremely powerful when it comes to networking and building relationships with others. Within the first seven seconds of meeting you, people will check you out visually and form an opinion. Additionally, the body language you talk and have a conversation with someone can also help someone make a decision about their opinion of you. Therefore, when networking it is important to watch your body language and ensure that your body language is open and welcoming and gives the desired first impression.

How can you demonstrate and develop this skill?

There are a number of things that you should consider and watch when networking. The key is to be interested and look interested when talking to others.

Are you maintaining eye contact?

When talking to someone focus on them. Maintain relaxed eye contact with the people you are speaking to. Make them feel special and actively listen to them. Ask yourself are you making eye contact during your conversation, or do your eyes keep wandering to see what else is going on or see who else is in the room. A little practice can help you train yourself to focus on maintaining eye-contact.

What are you doing with your arms/hands?

What are your arms (and hands) doing when you are having a conversation? Are you fidgeting, are you waving your arms around erratically, are you standing with your arms crossed?

Using your hands and arms can be good, but use them in the right way. Use them to boost your confidence, control or guide the conversation, or come across as open and welcoming to others.

How are you standing?

When networking, make an effort to stand in a manner that is open and welcoming. You want to be open to others joining the conversations and open to talking to you. Don’t block others out of the conversation, don’t stand with your legs crossed or tilt in an awkward manner which makes you come across as nervous and try not to lean on something as this can make you seem bored or tired and put people off having a conversation with you.

What does your face say?

Note your facial expressions when you are talking to someone. Hopefully, if you are in a relaxed interesting conversation, you should be smiling and showing an interested facial expression. However, there are times when you might need to actively think about what your face is doing, you want to avoid yawning, or expressions of boredom (even if you feel it).

Action Point: Be more aware of your body language. Ask for feedback from your networking buddy.

Skill Development Plan: Body Language

Again you can develop this skill with practice. Practice when having conversations with others and attending networking events. Practice and assess how your skill is developing over time and through different conversations. Be aware of your body language and ask for friendly feedback from your networking buddy.

Look at pictures and/or videos from events – yes, you will often get caught at a bad moment, but it can be an opportunity to note how you look to others and identify what you might need to work on and practice.

WFH Action Plan: With Video Conferencing becoming more widely used, use the opportunity of seeing yourself (and others) on camera on a regular basis, to look at, review and practice your body language. In particular, your posture and how you are holding yourself.

Further Reading:

• A is for… Active Listening
• Why is Active Listening So Important and how to be better?
• Quick Tip: Be Interested in Others