Summary: (http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2011/02/iStock_000002904548non-verbal-200x300.jpg)You have no doubt heard the proverb—Actions speak louder than words. It’s true. Your body is a crucial part of communicating your inner feelings. Of course, we can’t communicate ideas, thoughts, and plans without words. However, the way people interpret those words is tremendously influenced by our non-verbal communication. In her research, Dr. Isa Engleberg (Professor of Speech at Prince George College) has suggested that between 60 and 70 percent of all meaning—understanding—is derived from our body language. What is body language? It’s a form of non-verbal communication consisting of facial expressions, eye movements, gestures, and posture. Here are a few examples: * Face: smiling shows happiness; frowning shows disapproval. * Eyes: attentive gaze shows interest; rolling the eyes shows disgust. * Gestures: nodding the head shows agreement; tapping fingers on table shows boredom or impatience. * Posture: leaning forward shows eagerness, acceptance, or interest; slumped over shows discouragement. The messages we send through these expressions and gestures play a key role in people’s interpretation of the words we speak, strongly influencing how we are viewed. John Locke, a British philosopher of the 1600s, said, “I have always thought the actions of men are the best interpreters of their thoughts.” In today’s lesson I want to focus on the destructive consequences of unattractive body language and the negative messages we send based on our uncontrolled feelings and emotions. If you wish to communicate well, then it makes sense to understand how you can (and cannot) use your body to say what you mean. What we see consciously To quickly grasp the importance of this subject, consider these comments that co-workers have said. What body language signaled this response? What inner emotion was each person experiencing? 1. “He certainly got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.” 2. “I guess she didn’t get the sale yesterday.” 3. “He must have stayed out partying last night.” 4. “What’s she in such a huff about?” 5. “Wow! He looks like he’s just been run over by a truck.” All of these attention grabbers had a negative impact on how co-workers viewed them. What we register sub-consciously The intriguing side of body language is that what we see affects us at the subconscious level as well—meaning that we notice things intuitively without stopping to consciously think about them. What makes this disturbing is the fact that the signal we give off through our body language creates lasting images of who we are and it influences people’s opinions of us without a conscious thought. If you harbor hard feelings or have a bad attitude, you don’t need to wonder if people know. They do and it never reflects well on you. If you are pouting because your idea wasn’t accepted, you can be assured that everyone in the office knows and it’s impacting their judgment of you. The messages you allow your body to give off not only influence how you are viewed at that very moment but, when repeated over time, play a significant role in the way your brand is etched in their minds. As an example, if something doesn’t go your way and your body language tells everyone you’re upset, people quickly detect that you’re displeased. If you appear this way every time something doesn’t go your way, then you will likely be viewed as a “big baby,” “a spoiled person,” or “Mama’s boy.” On a positive side, if you handle a challenging disagreement without appearing rattled, then people will think, “I’m impressed by the way she handled that situation.” If you continue to control your emotions and body language, then you will become known as someone who’s in control of your actions and behavior. Recognizing destructive body signals
