Body language: how it is used, how it is read. How to convince your audience!

Overview

• Definition of body language
• Why is body language important?
• Body language and public speaking
• My clients and body language
• Articles about body language

Body language

Interesting articles around the body language. If you want to present yourself and your message convincingly, body language is very important. You will learn more in numerous articles. Recognize lies and prevent misunderstandings.

Definition of body language

Body language is non-verbal communication through signs or signals, elements of behavior, the appearance that is perceived by the sensory organs of another person.

As body language we refer to all the communication signals that have nothing to do with our verbal utterances. These include facial expressions, gestures, postures and all movements of our body with which we communicate with our environment.

Why is body language important?

Personal impact on other people is essential to progress. At the beginning of the career, relationships are still very direct. You are still in personal contact with the environment. This is increasingly changing during the ascent, the distance is increasing.

The environment observes from distance and the meaning of body language and appearance increases. Even small things can influence the share price if a member of the board does something.

Presence is everything in business. Body language, posture and facial expression all impact the way others perceive you. Keep in mind that poor posture can make you appear less than confident. Having a positive, self-confident view of yourself helps magnify these benefits and launch you into success in evaluative situations.

Practice good posture before you enter into evaluative situations like pitches and interviews, but don’t wait until the day of to prepare mentally.

The knowledge of body language helps us to better understand our interlocutors. So we get immediate feedback. This is often more interesting than official statements.

Attention

Anyone who tries to consciously change body language is in danger of interfering in normally unconscious, ie automatic, processes and thus feeling uncomfortable and contrived. Professional trainers ensure that all this becomes unconscious competence and then happens on its own.

Body language and public speaking

A strategic approach, convincing language and clever arguments are fundamental to success. The effect of a statement, however, is determined by the overall impression of the speaker. Its effect is largely based on its body language, including voice.

The little things that have a big impact are often underestimated: a reasonable eye contact, a natural gesture, an upright posture. Such elements support the message. Calm and harmonious movements make you seem credible. Jerky, hectic gestures make you suspicious. The recipients decide on the meaning of a message. Make it easy for your listeners and viewers to be convinced.

Here are some examples:

1. To get the audience to like you, make eye contact.
   People tend to pay more attention to and like those who look them in the eye.
2. To boost your confidence, open your chest and arms, and keep your back straight.
3. To demonstrate authority, be calm and use small, stiff gestures.
4. To draw the audience’s attention to something, point directly at it and look at it yourself.
   The audience will follow your lead.
5. To convince the audience of something, use positive gestures throughout the presentation. How about smiling, nodding, open movements, etc.

My clients and body language

The exercises have really inspired me. The time was well spent.

Sandra Fletcher
Berlin

Just ask me personally

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New articles

This article is a short excerpt of the more comprehensive course materials my clients receive in group or individual training or coaching.

First published: March 21, 2001
Author: Karsten Noack
Revision: April 3, 2018
Translation: April 3, 2009
German version: https://www.karstennoack.de/koerpersprache/
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