Speaking Without Your Voice

The human brain is hardwired to make snap judgments about people, and some experts say that it only takes seven seconds to make a first impression with someone new. This automatic ability to judge and categorize is due to the fact that we’ve become highly attuned to picking up on subtle, nuanced body language. 

From crossed arms to eye contact, posture to facial expressions, humans are capable of getting a lot of information from what we see in another person’s body language. 

Take note of how YOU move and position your body so as to not misconstrue a message. Here are some common body language issues we all make:

• Avoiding eye contact. This can make us seem unsure or untrustworthy.

• Not smiling. You won’t seem as welcoming.

• Glancing around the room/at your phone. It makes you seem distracted and can be perceived as rude.

• Folding your arms. This makes you seem closed off or unwelcoming. 

• Letting your hands be limp at your sides. This conveys a lack of emotional investment. When we’re really animated or passionate about something, we speak with our hands.

• Hidden hands. Keeping your hands out of sight can make you seem untrustworthy—not knowing what someone is doing with their hands can offer a slight amount of threat, especially with someone we don’t know well.

So what do you do with your hands?

Keep your gestures gentle and arms held at waist height—approximately a 45-degree angle. This, accompanied with a stance about shoulder-width wide, will make you seem grounded, energized, and focused.