The Power of Body Language

Body language is an extra tool that leaders can utilize to enhance the power of a message. A recent article from TalentManagement.com author Natalle Morera conveys the importance of using body language appropriately and intentionally. Think about how important eye contact is for a leader.

Not only does body language convey an unspoken message, it can also set the tone of a positive or negative interaction. There are two sets of signals to be given off, according to Carol Kinsey Goman, author of The Silent Language of Leaders: How Body Language Can Help – Or Hurt – How You Lead. You can either set a tone of status and authority or one of warmth and empathy.

The air of status and authority is given off by how people carry themselves, Kinsey Goman said. Details, such as a person’s height, may make them look more powerful. Leaders can typically convey warmth and empathy by using open hand signals, tilting their heads, nodding, and making eye contact.

Body language doesn’t need to be seen as good or bad, it all depends on what message you are trying to convey. Utilizing the wrong body language tactics can quickly ruin your message. Truly believing in and understanding your message will also show in your body language and creates an air of confidence.

In difficult situations, such as one-on-one’s with employees, showing emotion isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It can convey that you are a human being with emotions. Empathy is a strong tool and is necessary to difficult interactions. Your tone of voice and eye contact are indicators of body language – fine tune them, as they are also very powerful tools.

There are several things that leaders and talent managers alike can do to ensure they’re sending a positive message:

Check Your Expectations

Activate Your Smile Power

Use Your Head

Look At People When They Speak

Use the “Ultimate Corrective Gesture.”

Remove Barriers

Small notions such as nodding your head shows that you are involved and interested in what’s being said. If you’re making eye contact, people feel like you’re actually paying attention. An upward and open palm is a nonverbal, positive connector. If you’re interested in learning more about how you can send positive, nonverbal messages, please click here to read the full article.

 

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