Body Language in Communication

When preparing for a speech, it's tempting to want to "jazz up" your speech with some cool visuals. But, did you know what the most important visual of all is? You. That's right, you. Your appearance, your confidence, and, often overlooked - your body language and how you are using it while communicating.

Many people ignore their body language at their own peril. Even something as simple as not making eye contact can be a real turnoff to an audience. What are some main issues regarding body language in communication you should be made aware of?

1. Eye Contact

The best way to effectively use eye contact during your speech is to make eye contact! Though that may be difficult for some people, it's really important to connect with your audience. And one of the best ways to do that is with your eyes. Face it, people who don't make eye contact are often seen as being deceptive. And, when you're trying to give a speech to inform or to persuade, being deceptive is not something you want your audience to think about you.

Even when you may be nervous, do not overlook your audience. Find friendly faces in the audience and connect with them. Of course, there is one caveat: you have to find that balance of how much eye contact is the right amount. Too little eye contact is often interpreted as being impolite, disinterested or deceitful. Too much makes someone feel uncomfortable and victimized.

Aside from connecting with your audience, good eye contact also serves to give you feedback about your success as a speaker. You can easily tell if they are interested in what you're presenting, or if you are losing them.

2. Gestures

Gestures should be natural and represent what you are feeling and thinking at that moment. If you are excited, and grand gestures are natural for you, go for it! Your audience appreciates sincerity verses a rehearsed robotic gesture. Here are some generally-accepted interpretations for some common gestures:

Positive or open gestures: 

• "At ease stance" (feet about shoulder width apart with toes pointed forward)
• Flowing gestures as opposed to quick and jerky movements
• Open palms show that you are non-threatening
• Gestures which match your words

Negative or closed gestures: 

• Hands on the hips can be perceived as judgmental and authoritative
• Hands in pockets can show that you are nervous or complacent
• Hands clasped behind you may infer that you are hiding something
• Hands clasped in front convey tension
• Crossed arms may portray you as defensive and unopened

Remember to also vary your gestures so that you do not bore the audience. And, keep in mind that different countries and cultures may give different meanings to different gestures. If you are giving a presentation in a culture which is unlike your own, do research body language signals for that culture.

3. Posture and Movement 

Your posture is also important. A slouching posture may indicate that you lack self confidence, or that you are uninterested in what you are talking about. Other things to consider:

Personal space. The social norm in North America is about one-and-one-half feet to four feet between two people. Standing too close to someone can cause them to feel uncomfortable and infringed upon. Standing too far can cause them to feel disconnected and disinterested.
 
Your stance. A neutral stance is usually best. Feet slightly shoulder width apart and toes forward. Movement is dependent on your situation. While pacing can be distracting, you may have to move back and forth to show a visual.

Head nodding. Positive head nodding can be perceived positively, showing your audience that you are interested in them. However, shaking your head back and forth in a disapproving or demeaning manner can be perceived negatively. Of course, if you're making a point about something which you want the audience to also disapprove, then a disapproving shake of the head can be effective. Again, match your head nod to what you want your audience to feel.

4. Facial expressions 

It's important to be aware of your facial expressions. Do your facial expressions convey a different meaning than what you are thinking or feeling? Or, are they conveying exactly what you are thinking or feeling (i.e. tiredness, boredom)?

Always remember to smile at the audience. A good time to do this is when people are first coming into your session. Greet them with a smile. This helps relax you and helps the audience warm up to you before your formal presentation. It is easier to give a presentation in front of a relaxed and inviting crowd rather than a cold and judgmental one.

Remember, you may have the most dynamic presentation slide show with the latest technology, however, all that hard work will be discarded if you do not prepare yourself and the main visual - YOU.

Synonyms:  anguage, alnguage, lnguage, lnaguage, laguage, lagnuage, lanuage, lanugage, langage, langauge, languge, langugae, languae, languaeg, languag are typos for "language."