Body language is an important form of communication on which we heavily depend to understand people and their messages.
If you are looking to train in body language, consider participating in the Body Language Training Course offered by pdtraining in Auckland and many other cities in New Zealand.
If not consciously controlled, our body language reveals our instinctive reactions, and communicates our true thoughts and feelings to others. Body language also reveals our weaknesses and our true reactions, even when we do not want them to be revealed.
In certain situations, it may also lead to embarrassment or damaged relationships. For example, if you do not nod and make direct eye contact with a person speaking to you at a business party, the other person may think that you are disinterested in speaking with him/her, even if the reason for your lack of response is a personal problem. To minimise the chances of misunderstandings and to present a strong and confident personality before others, you need to check your body language and control it.
- Control Your Facial Expressions
When we are conversing with someone, we usually make eye contact or look at their faces. Therefore, it is a person’s facial expression from where we pick up the most non-verbal signals. These subconscious clues tell us how the other person is responding to our spoken words.
To create a positive impression on people, make sure that you use facial expressions that show the other person that you are responding well to their words. Retain eye contact and resist the temptation to look around even if you do not find a conversation interesting. It is better to excuse yourself and move away politely than to express your displeasure.
- Mark Your Gestures
After your facial expressions, the other person will read your gestures. You do not want to be too loud or too subtle with your gestures. If you wish to indicate friendliness, you may lightly clap the arm of the other person. We pick up bodily gestures readily so you do not need to make exaggerated efforts to express your thoughts and feelings. A slight genuine bow will have a more powerful impact than an exaggerated flourish. If you naturally use exaggerated gestures, then that is your style, but when you are developing your body language, it is best to maintain balance between subtlety and boldness.
- Avoid Contradictions
Your body language must match what you are communicating through speech. If your body language contradicts your speech, the other person will think that you are not genuine. When controlling your body language, think about what facial expressions you would like to use that would best match your words. For example, when talking about an upcoming business event, you must not roll your eyes or make a face to show your displeasure at the place where it is being held. Instead, you may suggest a better location. If you cannot change the situation, it is best to go along with it without revealing negativity. Contradictions between your speech and body language is not the method you would like to choose to voice your complaints, as it can damage your reputation.
Pdtraining delivers 1000’s of professional development courses each year in Wellington, Auckland, Napier, Christchurch, Hamilton, Dunedin and Tauranga, so you can be assured your training will be delivered by a qualified and experienced trainer.
All public Body Language Training courses include am/pm tea, lunch, printed courseware and a certificate of completion. Customised courses are available upon request so please contact pdtraining on 1300 121 400 to learn more.