Six Ways You May Be Sabotaging Your Career with Poor Body Language
No matter how good you are with words, your body language speaks louder. Only 7% of our feelings are communicated by words and 38% by tone. But 55% are communicated by nonverbal or visual expressions.
Follow this list of “Don’ts” to make sure you’re not sabotaging your message-and your career-with poor body language.
1. Don’t lean back and put your hands behind your head while talking to someone. That indicates you feel superior to the person you’re talking to.
2. Don’t cross your arms. It makes you appear guarded and not open to suggestions.
3. Don’t fiddle with your hair, fingernails, paper clips or other objects on your desk. It’s distracting to your listener.
4. Don’t shrug your shoulders. That suggests you don’t care about what you’re doing.
5. Don’t slouch. Poor posture suggests you can be intimidated or that you don’t think the conversation is important.
6. Don’t get too close. Stay at least four feet from the person you’re talking to. Lean in closer only to establish rapport.
Source: “You Are the Organization: Every Employee’s Public Relations Role.”