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Tips for Positive Body Language That Conveys Competence

By on December 8, 2016
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By Jennifer Jimbere

What do you think your body language is communicating to others about your competency? Confidence? Empowerment?

Take a moment right now and pay attention to yourself: Are you slumping? Crossing your legs or arms– constricted and contracted? Or are you spread out—using as much space as possible?

The saying ‘a first impression is a lasting one’ is more true than you may realize.

In a study conducted at Princeton, researchers found that a one-second clip of candidates running for senator or governor was enough for people to accurately predict which candidate was elected. Remember, these predictions were based on non-verbal language versus what they heard the candidates actually ‘saying’!

And while this may not increase your faith in the voting process, it does show that perception of competence has a strong foundation in body language.

In a Tufts University study, subjects watched soundless clips of physicians interacting with their patients. Just by observing the physicians’ body language, subjects were able to guess which physicians ended up getting sued by their patients.

Body language is a huge factor in how you’re perceived and can be more important than your tone of voice or even what you say. Learning to use positive body language will make people like you and trust you more.

When we think about non-verbal body language, here are some tips that will help improve how others perceive you:

  1. Take up more space – Taking up space by for example sitting or standing with your legs apart a bit signals self-confidence and that you are comfortable in your own skin.
  2. Avoid touching your face – It might make you seem nervous and can be distracting for the listeners or the people in the conversation.
  3. Use your hands more confidently – Instead of fidgeting with your hands and scratching your face use them to communicate what you are trying to say. Use your hands to describe something or to add weight to a point you are trying to make. But don’t use them to much or it might become distracting. And don’t let your hands flail around, use them with some control.
  4. Lower your drink – Do you ever hold your drink in front of your chest? Hold anything in front of your heart, will make you seem guarded and distant. Lower it and hold it beside your leg instead.
  5. Widen your stance – When you stand with your feet close together, you can seem hesitant or unsure of what you are saying. But when you widen your stance, relax your knees and center your weight in your lower body, you look more “solid” and confident.

The great news in all of this is positive body language changes how you perceive yourself, as well. In fact, social psychologist, Amy Cuddy, says ‘Don’t fake it till you make it. Fake it until you become it.’

Cuddy’s TED talk, ‘Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are’ impresses upon us that people who use positive body language are more likeable, competent, persuasive, and emotionally intelligent.

Positive body language includes things such as appropriate eye contact, active engagement/listening, and targeted gestures that accentuate the message you’re trying to convey.

One of my fun ways to prepare for an important business meeting is to Strike a Power Pose just before I leave my office. I lean back in my chair with my hands behind my head and my feet up on my desk, or I’ll stand tall with my legs and arms stretched wide open for a minute or two.

It’s the body language of Power and Competency! And people can and will feel it!

I guarantee if you try this, you will look and feel more confident and certain going into your meetings!

 

pic-of-me Jennifer Jimbere is President of Jimbere Coaching and Consulting. She is a Certified Professional Coach, Change Management Practitioner and uses Positive Psychology practices in her work. Inspiring individuals, teams and organizations to unleash their strengths and maximize performance. She is also the Co-Founder and Resident Expert at Radical Joy Seeking Women’s Club, you can view more about her work with the club by visiting www.radicaljoyseekingwomen.com.

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