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Your hand, facial gestures and posture say more about you at any given time than the words you speak. According to studies, your body movements account for 55 percent of your communication, while 38 percent of what you have to say comes from you voice, tone, pauses, etc., and only 7 percent is comprised of the words out of your mouth.
Your body language, or nonverbal communication, is the single most powerful form of communication. When you’re nervous or uneasy, your body language becomes more pronounced. In today’s competitive workplace, possessing good body language is critical to reinforcing your verbal communications and making positive first impressions.
“What you do speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Think about it for a moment. How many times have you watched a sales pitch where the presenter displays poor body language? Rather than listening to what he or she has to say, your attention is focused on their swaying, their poor posture or their “ums.” He/she doesn’t make a good impression and you lose interest.
Now, take the presenter who stands tall, uses hand gestures effectively, modulates his/her voice in a powerful way and makes eye contact. You’re engaged in the talk, you’re listening. He/she has captured your attention.
Understanding body language to improve your personal impact takes practice. The first step is recognizing the power of good nonverbal communication. You should strive to match your techniques with your personal brand. After all, it’s about showing approachability, warmth, and genuineness. Mastering positive body language will not only help you b confident and poised, it will help build credibility – hands down.
Follow these six body language essentials to enhance your communication skills.
Your technical skills alone don’t guarantee success. Developing your soft skills is the most valuable investment you can make. '
Want to learn more about Positive Interview Body Language? Download this guide!
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