We have only a few seconds to create a good first impression. Body language plays an important role to make a positive impact. It helps you assess the message you are sending to people.
Being more aware of how you come across using your gestures, voice, facial expressions, and eyes can help you in your social interactions and create a positive impression. Proper body language can help you develop positive relationships and increase your influence with others.
These tips can help you to adjust your body language so that you make a good impression.
- Smile. Smiling is important when making connections with others. A fake smile can be detected easily so practice a natural smile.
- Have a good posture. Sit or stand upright and place your hands by your sides. Hands placed on your hips can be a sign of aggressiveness. Crossed arms can indicate defense or closed-off.
- Use a firm handshake. But don’t get carried away! You don’t want it to be to much pressure for the other person.
- Maintain good eye contact. Use frequent but direct eye contact with the person to show that you’re engaged. Staring at the floor makes you appear insecure with a lack of confidence.
- Lower you’re vocal. In the workplace, the quality of your voice can be a deciding factor in how you are perceived. People that speak loudly are judged to be less empathic, less powerful, and more nervous than speakers with lower voices.
- Avoid nervous gestures. When we rub our hands together, touching our face, play with our jewelry, twirl our hair or fidget we can lose credibility.
Finally, make a good habit to adopt a strong body language and soon you will be doing naturally.