Speaking Body Language

I observed an almost surreal event when I was a business student.

At the front of the classroom, an entrepreneur was practicing a pitch he would make later to venture capital firms. Specifically, he was talking about a technology his firm had developed, a respirator which had the potential to save the lives of many infants.

When he talked about the potentially great financial returns, the audience, made up of business students, sat back passively. But when he talked about getting babies through critical moments with his respirators, every single person in the classroom sat up, alert and fully focused.

As he went back and forth between stories of saving babies and talking about financial results, almost every student in the classroom moved with him. And what's more, it seemed the students' unconscious body movements had been carefully choreographed.

We sat up together when the entrepreneur talked about saving babies, and we sat back in unison when he discussed the numbers. And, by the way, I did it too until I become aware of how we were responding as a group.

Since that event I've been a firm believer in body language, which is the idea that people unconsciously show what they're feeling or thinking through gestures or body movements.

As you know, the art of interpreting body language is hardly a science. But, we do know a few basics that can help us read the emotions of others. A few examples follow.

Crossed arms, as almost every salesperson knows, means the person on the other side of the table is defensive or not receptive. On the other hand, if that person leans forward and keeps his or her eyes on you, then you do have a receptive listener.

If you watch novice speakers, you'll probably notice how they keep their arms close to their bodies, indicating a lack of confidence. As they get more practice speaking in public, you'll see their arms move away from their sides and become active tools for conveying messages.

Arms wide open indicate trust and openness, as do open hands, while arms held high above the head show a sense of victory, and clenched hands indicate anger.

Curiously, one of the most difficult interpretations of body language involves lying. Researchers have probably spent more time on this aspect of body language than any other. And their conclusions? The only surefire way to know if another person is lying is to observe very small and fast wrinklings of the brow.

If you haven't yet spent much time studying body language, I recommend that you add it to your to-do list for communication development. It's invaluable not only for speaking and listening, but also for negotiating and leading.

About The Author

Robert F. Abbott writes and publishes Abbott's Communication Letter. If you subscribe, you will receive, at no charge, communication tips that help you lead or manage more effectively. Click here for more information: http://www.CommunicationNewsletter.com

abbottr@managersguide.com

---

Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking

Knocking knees, butterflies (who came up with that word?) in... Read More

The Top Four Ways To Get Audience Involvement In A Presentation

In the thousands of speeches I've heard very few presenters... Read More

Get Speaking

On a recent Sunday evening, I watched a friend 'graduate'... Read More

How To Start With Public Speaking

I don't know how many books, articles, manuals and scripts... Read More

How to Gracefully Leave After a Seminar or Speech When Someone is Hogging Your Time!

Meeting planners know the value of meticulous planning. They are... Read More

Speaking Body Language

I observed an almost surreal event when I was a... Read More

Opening Your Speech

Imagine yourself at mission control; 10, 9, 8, 7, 6,... Read More

No More Stagefright - Have Fun Speaking!

7 Tips that calm and center you before your presentation:1.... Read More

Etiquette - An Essential Ingredient to Your Success As a Public Speaker

Sadly, the public speaking circle has its fair share of... Read More

How to be a Great Speaker

Did you know that great speakers are often nervous with... Read More

Be Brief!

Centuries ago great speakers often spoke two hours and more.... Read More

How to Promote yourself as a Speaker on the Web

Why use the web for promoting your speaking engagements?Most people... Read More

Feedback

I believe that asking for and acting on objective feedback... Read More

Public Speaking: Getting the Room Set-up Right

I don't know why it is, but no matter how... Read More

Top 7 Steps to Better Public Speaking

Whether you want to be a part time, full time... Read More

Conversationally Speaking

"Would you like to say a few words?" How many... Read More

Get Real

Humans are born storytellers, but our education system doesn't help... Read More

Giving Your Audience Great Benefits

What benefit do you provide the audience?People should listen to... Read More

What is Toastmasters?

Toastmasters.... Toastmasters....What is Toastmasters?Is it a bunch of guys in... Read More

Top 7 Tips for Speakers

Public Speaking is the number one way to advance your... Read More

Boost Your Confidence, Credibility, and Career

There's one skill you can develop that will boost your... Read More

Ethics in Speaking: A Practical Point of View

Often managers have to deliver presentations with unpleasant content. The... Read More

Five Tired, Worn Out Speaking Cliches

The subject of public speaking is riddled with tired, worn... Read More

Let Your Appearance Speak for You, Not Against You!

Every 7 seconds another baby boomer turns 50. What does... Read More

Fear

FearOf what am I afraid, you ask. Of myself, I... Read More

10 Worst Tips To Give A Speaker

1. Learn the speech by heart or read it from... Read More

Speak to Be Heard and Understood

Use your voice to your advantage. One of your main... Read More

Timing - Why You Should Never Go Overtime with Your Presentation or Speech

In a conference setting, nothing annoys audiences more than talks... Read More

Make Your Talks Pay: Have People Stand In Line Eager Give You Their Business Card

If you've ever been on stage, doing a talk or... Read More

How to Give a Speech Without Dying

Two of the top fears of most people are dying... Read More

How VALUABLE is Your Speaking Topic?

What information can be used immediately by the audience and... Read More

Trust in Training: Societys Effect on an Audience

It is important to be continually aware that a person... Read More

Speak Up or Sit Down

Last night the phone rang; my wife said, "I hope... Read More