ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS

Body language provides an amazing amount of information on what other people are thinking if you know what to look for. Recent research has shown that only seven percent of communication is based on the actual words we say. Thirtyeight percent comes from the tone of voice, and the remaining fifty-five percent comes from body language. Learning how to become aware of and to interpret that fifty-five percent can help you a lot while communicating. Listed below are some of the most important body language cues that we use in our daily lives.

1. Folded arms and crossed legs signal resistance to your ideas. - They are physical barriers that suggest the other person is not open to what you’re saying. Even if they’re smiling and engaged in a pleasant conversation, their body language tells the story. Psychologically, crossed legs or folded arms signal that a person is mentally, emotionally and physically blocked off from what’s in front of them.

2. Real smiles crinkle the eyes. - When it comes to smiling, the mouth can lie but the eyes can’t. Real smiles reach the eyes, crinkling the skin to create crow’s feet around them. People often smile to hide what they’re really thinking and feeling, so the next time you want to know if someone’s

3. Posture tells the story. - Have you ever seen a person walk into a room, and immediately, you have known that they were the one in charge? That effect is largely about body language and often includes an erect posture, gestures made with the palms facing down and open and expansive gestures in general. Standing up straight with your shoulders back is a power position; it appears to maximize the amount of space you fill. Leaning, on the other hand, is the result of collapsing your form and shoulders; it appears to take up less space and reflects less power. Maintaining good posture commands respect and promotes engagement, whether you’re a leader or not.

4.Eyes can lie. - Most of us probably grew up hearing, ‘Look me in the eye when you talk to me!’ Our parents assume that it’s tough to hold someone’s gaze when you’re lying to them, and they were right to an extent. However, that’s such common knowledge that people will often deliberately hold eye contact in an attempt to cover up the fact that they’re lying. The problem is that most of them hold eye contact to the point that it feels uncomfortable. On average, Americans hold eye contact for seven to ten seconds longer when we’re listening than when we’re talking. If you’re talking with someone whose stare is making you awkward – especially if they’re very still and unblinking – something is up and they might be lying to you.

5. Raised eyebrows signal discomfort. - There are three main emotions that make your eyebrows go up: surprise, worry and fear. Try raising your eyebrows when you’re having a relaxed casual conversation with a friend. It’s hard to do, isn’t it? If somebody who is talking to you raises their eyebrows and the topic isn’t one that would logically cause surprise, worry or fear, then it is likely that there is something else going on.