Trustworthy Body Language. Trust, Dignity and Body Language

Trust and body language

How do you know that your body language communicates what is in your interest?

Each presentation is also a self-presentation.

Karsten Noack

The impact of body language

He who hurries can not walk with dignity.

This Chinese proverb underlines what we know of body language. And there is a lot more to say about it.

Oftentimes, what comes out of our mouths and what we communicate through our body language are two different things. When faced with these mixed signals, the listener has to choose whether to believe your verbal or nonverbal message. In most cases, they’re going to choose the nonverbal.

We do this because it’s a natural, unconscious language that broadcasts our true feelings and intentions at any given moment.

When we interact with others, we continuously give and receive wordless signals. The way you listen, look, move, and react tells others whether you care, if you’re being truthful, and how well you’re listening. Are you sure that your body language communicates what you intend?

Trustworthy body language

Here are some elements of trustworthy body language:

1. Open body language

Open body language is a common cluster of moves that is non-aggressive and trusting, showing that you are relaxed and comfortable.

a. No barriers

Avoiding barriers is the first step in projecting positive body language. Remove all the barriers between you and others. Barriers include in particular crossed arms and legs, but can also include physical items you are holding, or you have placed between you such as a lectern when presenting.

Exposing your body makes you more vulnerable to attack and shows that you trust them. This encourages others to reciprocate and likewise trust you.

b. Open palms

Do not clench your hands like fists, as this sends signals of aggression or concealed tension. Leave your palms open and relaxed (do not stretch them far).

Palms up is open, offering (but can be pleading). Palms down is often interpreted as calling for calming down and perhaps to be avoided. Holding the palms sideways, holding something, facing one another is a good neutral.

c. Open face

Keep your face open, too. This means sustaining a relatively relaxed expression without extremes and certainly without signs of anger, fear, boredom and other emotions that do not encourage trust.

Hold your head up rather than looking away or down. This lets them see your expression and realize that you are not a threat.

2. Steadiness

To help others predict what you will do and gain confidence, display a steadiness in your body language.

a. Steady gaze

Sustain a steady gaze, rather than glaring, looking away or shifty eye movement. Look at them for reasonable periods that show your interest, though with occasional looking away to avoid it seeming like a stare.

A gaze holds eyes open at a natural level, not showing the whites around the top and bottom (indicating that you are staring) nor narrowing eyes that hide intent.

b. Stable head position

Many people move their heads a lot during a conversation, but if you look at respected leaders you may notice their heads move very little as if they are deeply interested in the other person.

c. Slower movements

Avoid sudden and unpredictable movements. A sudden movement may appear as a threat or that you are stressed (which makes them wonder why).

Move smoothly and perhaps slower than you might otherwise, without stretching joints or bending them far, so you describe rounded, rather than angular, motion.

3. Show interest

Show interest and concern about them and their affairs.

a. Leaning Forward

In case you like someone, you want to get closer. The closer you get, the more interested you are. Hence, leaning forward, especially when combined with nodding and smiling, it’s a distinct way to say nonverbally: “Yes, I hear you, keep going!”.

b. Furrowed brow

Your forehead sends significant signals. Raise it to show surprise and question, which encourages them to keep talking without you having to say anything other than non-verbal ah-has and so on. The eyebrows can also be pulled together to show sympathy and concern for their troubles.

c. Touching

Touch is highly variable and often more permissible by women, as male touching can be interpreted more than a dominant power move. Nevertheless, light touching in displays of concern and sympathy can be hugely effective.

4. Show respect

Always show respect for others, even if you disagree with them.

a. Social distance

Maintain an appropriate distance from others, close enough to show interest, yet not so close that you appear threatening or are attempting intimacy.

Angling the body to them is also less threatening, but also invites others to join in.

b. Attentive

Be attentive, listening far more than speaking, and asking questions that encourage them to keep talking. Do not press them if they do not want to tell you more.

c. Nodding

A simple technique is to nod when they are talking, in particular as they are explaining things, and more when they have completed. Nodding shows you agree and are accepting them as well as what they say.

Even better. Instead of seeing nodding as a technique, node to see the human in your conversational partner.

5. Aligned

Let your arms and hand loosely or move gently in time with your words to help signal trustworthy intent. Move more urgently to signal importance. Remember to keep open even when you are passionate, avoiding fists, sudden movement, and other shapes that may be interpreted as attacks.

6. Rapport

Shape your body to align with their body to reflect high alignment with them, but beware of too obvious mirroring. Watch also for them doing the same back.

Preparing Important Speeches and Presentations

The Art of Effective Communication

Those who do not speak are not heard, and even those who do speak are not always successful. True success in communication requires mastering a few additional, critical steps to ensure your message resonates.

Make Your Message Shine

Do you want your message to be convincing and your personality to shine? I can help you prepare your speeches and presentations to achieve exactly that. Whether you need comprehensive guidance or just a few tweaks, you decide the level of support that fits your needs. At a minimum, I recommend a test run with professional feedback to fine-tune both your delivery and your content. This helps you understand how you and your message are perceived, identify what works well, and determine areas for improvement.

Why Wait for Feedback?

Why wait until after your real performance to receive valuable feedback, when it's too late to adjust? Early preparation is key. As the saying goes: 'Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.' With thorough preparation, you will not only feel more confident but will also be well-equipped to make a lasting impact.

Tailored Support to Fit Your Goals

You can decide where the effort is most worthwhile, based on the expected benefits. I offer support covering all areas of effective communication, including psychology, language, structure, voice, body language, storytelling, rhetorical techniques, and the use of media like PowerPoint. My goal is to help you deliver a well-rounded, impactful presentation.

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Overcome Stage Fright

Many people struggle with intense stage fright, which can cause their performance to fall short of its true potential. With my guidance, you can overcome these challenges and deliver your best possible performance. Together, we'll turn anxiety into confidence, ensuring that your message and personality shine through.

Professional Feedback: The Key to Impactful Presentations​

How Impactful Are Your Presentations?

How effective are you in your speeches and presentations? Are your skills strong in the 111+ essential areas of impactful presenting?

Since 1998, I have analyzed countless speeches and presentations. This extensive experience—including learning from my own mistakes—has given me a deep understanding of what works for different audiences.

Get the feedback you need to excel. With my help, you will receive actionable recommendations and insights that will allow you to connect with your audience and deliver your message effectively, regardless of the context.

Ready to Improve?

Interested? Here’s how you can receive valuable feedback to enhance your speeches and presentations.

Contact Me for More Information

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P.S.

What are you looking for to get an idea if someone is honest? How do you project trustworthiness?

Articles

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

Published: March 4, 2007
Author: Karsten Noack
Revision: February 6, 2020
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