Speaking Louder Than Words: 5 Tips to Reading Body Language
By Susan Young, President, Get in Front Communications

Body language is the oldest language of all languages. In fact, a UCLA study found that 93 percent of our communication is nonverbal communication. It revolves around eye contact, facial expressions, gestures, and posture. When first meeting someone, it takes less than five seconds for them to form an opinion of you. This is based solely on how you present yourself. You don't have to utter a single word.

Here are 5 tips to reading body language and improving your nonverbal communication:

1- Recognize that your head and face are key expression indicators. Eye contact, a smile and a strong self-confident posture and head position are important when first seeing someone, especially someone you've never met. Looking someone in the eye for two or three seconds, along with a friendly smile, can help to instantly build rapport. It takes 72 muscles to frown and only 14 to smile. A smile transcends any cultural or language barrier. Being able to smile and look relaxed yet confident while shaking hands or greeting someone is an important first step in building a relationship.

2- Understand spatial orientation. When you are standing up and talking to someone, line up your shoulders directly in front of theirs so you are facing one another, chest to chest. Avoid angling away from someone which indicates disagreement or dislike. Be sure that your body and feet are facing your target. Also, be aware of personal space. Standing too close to someone can make them feel uncomfortable.

3- Know how to send strong signals at the conference table. Conference tables can be nonverbal battlefields (round tables are more conducive to teamwork). When sitting in a chair, it's best to feel relaxed and calm. Tense and stiff posture when sitting can make you appear to be uptight or domineering. Conversely, if you look too relaxed and casual by slouching or leaning, you can appear bored or uninterested.

4- Watch for negatives like eye brow lowering, staring, and pointing. Another negative is people who wear reading glasses that tend to tuck their chins into their chests and look down their noses. They may be trying to avoid taking their glasses off but that innocent movement can be misconstrued as you are literally "looking down" at others.

5- Use your hands to your advantage. The next time you are in a meeting or sitting at a conference table, think about where your hands are and how you use them. Clenched fists often indicate frustration, anger and closed minds. Keeping your hands open with your palms up shows you are friendly, honest and open.

Being congruent, or walking the walk and talking the talk, is essential in communication. Remember: You are the message.

About the Author:

Susan Young, author of Communicating with Confidence: Tips & Techniques for Powerful Business Communication, is the President of Get in Front Communications and Susan Young Media Relations, Inc. The companies work with businesses and nonprofits to increase publicity, and improve interpersonal communication and self-confidence. Susan is an award-winning news/PR expert, entrepreneur and speaker. She's a certified practitioner in Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP). Call (210) 375-6422 or visit www.getinfrontcommunications.com. Twitter: @sueyoungmedia.