Body Language Secrets of Successful People

Our bodies have a language of their own, and their words aren’t always kind. Your body language has likely become an integral part of who you are, to the point where you might not even think about it. If that’s the case, it’s time to start! TalentSmart has tested more than a million people and found that the most successful people know the power that unspoken signals have in communication and they monitor their own body language accordingly. What follows are the most common body language blunders that people make, and emotionally intelligent people are careful to avoid.

1.Slouching is a sign of disrespect. It communicates that you’re bored and have no desire to be where you are. You would never tell your boss or teacher, “I don’t understand why I have to listen to you,” but if you slouch, you don’t have to—your body says it for you, loud and clear.

2.Watching the clock while talking to someone is a clear sign of disrespect, impatience, and inflated ego. It sends the message that you have better things to do than talk to the person you’re with, and that you’re anxious to leave them.

3.Crossed arms—and crossed legs, to some degree—are physical barriers that suggest you’re not open to what the other person is saying. Even if you’re smiling or engaged in a pleasant conversation, the other person may get the feeling that you’re shutting him or her out.

4.Avoiding eye contact makes it looks like you have something to hide, and that makes people suspicious. Lack of eye contact can also indicate a lack of confidence and interest. Looking down as you talk makes it seem like you lack confidence or are self-conscious, causing your words to lose their effect. It’s especially important to keep your eyes level if you’re making complicated or important points.

5.Weak handshakes signal that you lack authority and confidence, while a handshake that is too strong could be perceived as an aggressive attempt at domination, which is just as bad. Adapt your handshake to each person and situation, but make sure it’s always firm.

6.Getting too close. If you stand too close to someone, it signals that you have no respect for or understanding of personal space. This will make people very uncomfortable when they’re around you.

Avoiding these blunders is what successful people make sure to do. They can be applied to any situation and will help you become more confident as well as strengthen the way others see you.