Positive and Negative Body Language

Language

Sometimes you may not notice your own body language.

It's not like you look at yourself all day in the mirror butyou can practice and take note of what you do notice. Having a buddy to do thiswith is also very helpful.

Practice at home in the mirror or if you are teaming up atwork make sure that you are paying attention to each other without lookingobvious or being too distracted to take care of the clients.

Lets look at the difference between Positive and NegativeBody Language so that you will know what to do, and what not to do that can becorrected.

Positive Body Language

Your Face is the first thing that everyone notices. Itcommunicates to the world that you are together, knowledgable, informed and capablewith your title and position. Your face should be relaxed and clearly incontrol.

Eye contact is veryimportant when speaking to another person and listening well. Making eyecontact send the message that what is being communicated to you is worth yourattention.

Having a smile shows thatyou really care about your work, clients and yourself.

How you move is always donewith intent. Make sure that you are in control of how you are standing andwhere your hands or arms are. If you have your arms crossed, you are on thedefense. If you have them at your side or on your hips you are being serious andattentive.

Even chatting with hands in your slacks pockets is naturaland casually comfortable providing the rest of your posture is upright andstraight

Negative Body Language

Your Face is frowning ortight. Maybe you have a wrinkle between your brows or one of your brows israised in annoyance or disbelief. This clearly states that you are notinterested and do not have time.

Eye contact is in constantmotion when speaking to others. Its one thing to look and watch the room butits another to constantly be focusing on everyone else instead of your client.You are distracted, and uninterested in the communication you should beparticipating in or that your self confidence is low.

If you force a smile, itsgoing to be transparent. In short you will be pegged a faker. Things thatpeople will think is that you don't like what you do or that don't know whatyou are doing.

Your Body language isn'tanticipated. It lacks control and is rushed. The next thing that you know yourclient is going to leave to keep from feeling like they aren't important orthat they are wasting your obviously precious time.

Practicing at home

Use a mirror preferrably a long one so that you can take inthe whole picture.

Rehearse a conversation that you had earlier that day or apresentation that you will giving.

Make mental notes on all of the things that are sending outa message, be sure that the message you are sending is positive.

Practicing with a work buddy

Signal each other, a simple indication to smile.

A simple straightening of the spine when you are standing.

Make sure that afterwards you spend time talking so that youcan share the perceptions.

Always be willing to accept the perceptions remember youteamed up to help each other expand and be more professional.