Back to Basics: Body Language 101

Kim Haller

Behind our fancy computers, smartphones and eloquent writing skills lie the most basic and sometimes forgotten communication technique: body language. While body language may seem like an intuitive response in certain professional settings, no one is immune to dreary days when our emotions can be clearly read on our faces. On those days, it’s important to remember our body language is a communicative tool to show proactive engagement.
 
Executing positive body language is the key to forming successful partnerships, job opportunities and office dynamics. Whether discussing future plans with a client or conducting an informal business meeting, positive body language indicates understanding between two or more parties. To ensure sincere relationships develop, start by analyzing your own body language, as well as others’ in public and professional settings. You’ll find that you can understand a person’s emotions even before they speak.
Below are a few things you should remember when it comes to body language and interactions with others.

1. Eye contact. Looking someone in the eyes while speaking is a polite way to inform the communicator you’re attentive. I’m not talking about a death stare, but direct eye contact is a gracious way to show you’re listening and engaged. For best results, put the phone away, strike interesting conversation, ask questions or take notes.  
2. Avoid the shoulder shrug. Researchers believe sitting with correct posture radiates hormones that boost confidence. Known as High Power Poses – like standing with shoulders back – these stances simultaneously reduce the release of stress hormones and promote the spread of positive hormones. Shrugged, hunched shoulders indicate doubt. We may sit slouched in our desks without recognizing the implications. It’s crucial to be aware of the messages your body sends even while at your desk.

   

   www.flickr.com/photos/76029035@N02/6829377121/

3. Avoid the defensive stance. When doing business, if you notice a client or co-worker crossing arms or legs, be aware this is an immediate sign of defensive behavior. To ease tension, warmly welcome a conversation. In public speaking forums, one can connect with an audience by asking questions. Genuinely engaging your audience helps to reduce uncertainty. Open body positions assist in effective communication.
4. The power of a smile. Smiling is a great way to physically show your enthusiasm. Even when it’s not your day, smiling eases tension and promotes optimism. Smiling not only influences your mindset, but it also improves the attitudes of individuals around you. Smiling shows friendliness and openness, especially when discussing information with clients or co-workers.

Hissssssssssssssssssssssss. Are you paying attention to body language?

Courtney Liebenrood Ellett

From top: Friday Cat and Sid

Meet Sid (also known as Work Cat) and Friday Cat (who likes to show his cute little face mostly on Fridays, thus his namesake).

These two furry guys are our adoptive kitty cats at Obsidian. In an effort to make them more comfortable being around people, our colleagues have been taking shifts to work on our laptops on our office back patio when the cats are around.

A team member and I were meeting out there recently, and Sid came out first. He nervously paced and made attempts to come near us, where the food was sitting. And he finally did eat. A few minutes later, we heard a deep meow that didn’t come from Sid.

Enter Friday Cat. He was perched on the ledge above and made his way down to us. Friday Cat is friendlier and kept meowing deeply to say hello as he approached us. We encouraged him to take part in the food as Sid did. As Friday Cat came closer to us, Sid starting hissing wildly from the corner of the patio, where he was ducking behind a plant.

Translation: Don’t come any closer, man, or you’re going to find a heap of trouble.

We tried to avert a bitter clash by continuing to coax Friday Cat toward us instead of Sid. Well, Friday Cat wasn’t paying attention to body language and what Sid was “saying.” He just waltzed right over to Sid behind that plant. A quick confrontation passed, and it was done.

The signs were all there. Sid was hiding himself to feel more comfortable. He then hissed to verbalize his warning. And finally, he pounced on Friday Cat. But it should never have gone so far. If Friday Cat would have paid attention the signs, trouble would have been averted and he wouldn’t have felt the sting of Sid’s paws.

This lesson can be easily applied to our role in PR and even in our daily lives. There are a million tiny clues in human interaction that help us better understand mood, relationships, expectations, what people care about, what they don’t care about, what they need, etc. Mostly importantly, these clues help us know how to respond appropriately. If we don’t pay attention to positioning, body language, tone and the actual message, communication breaks down. And a cat fight might be the result.