Do You Know Sign Language?

Leadership and Marketing Update from H. LEINER & CO.

Do you know sign language?

Even if you don’t know the technical sign language, we all use a form of sign language every day, where we communicate with other people without using our words.

Even though the words you use when you communicate are extremely important, equally as noteworthy, and arguably even more significant is your nonverbal communication.

You know the moment you meet someone and immediately get a feel for the type of person they are just by looking at them. Keep in mind that other people are getting a sense of who you are just by looking at you too.

Make sure your nonverbal communication elements match the image that you are trying to portray:

* Facial expression: Smiling, head nodding, and murmuring along shows empathy, care, and interest in what the other person is saying.
* Posture: Standing straight and tall with your ears and shoulders aligned displays confidence and strength. Slumped shoulders shows laziness, insecurity, and unhappiness.
* Hand movements: Using wild gestures or fidgeting with your hair, phone, or hands shows nervousness and a lack of confidence. Small gestures to describe the most important points shows power and authority.
* Eye contact: Looking someone straight in the eye displays confidence, authority, and gives you the ability to persuade the other person. A lack of eye contact shows deceit and insecurity. Also, rolling your eyes is a sign of frustration and a lack of respect.
* Arms: Crossed arms shows you’re trying to hide something. Keeping your hands in view is a sign of honesty and trustworthiness.
* Matching body language: Imitating the body language, tone of voice, and movements of a person you are speaking to demonstrates loyalty and that you are on their team.

Being conscious of these few nonverbal communication techniques in other people and working on them in your own communications will improve your relationships with others.

(Business Insider)