How to Use Body Language Effectively in Communication

We are never not communicating. Even if verbally you’re saying nothing, your body language is speaking for you.

So what’s your body language saying about you when you are delivering a presentation, leading a meeting, speaking to senior management, or in discussion with your colleagues? What are you communicating through your non-verbal expressions?

Quote by Peter Drucker "The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn't said

The importance of body language

Body language gives extra context to our communication and helps us gain a deeper understanding of what’s really going on in a situation. The insights we can gain from being able to read people’s body language can be incredibly valuable in both our professional and personal lives. If you want to dive a little deeper into the subject, I highly recommend this video on reading body language featuring former FBI agent Joe Navarro.

There’s a vast amount to learn on the topic, but in this article, I’ll give you a whistle-stop tour of the key areas of body language you can focus on to improve your communication skills.

#1 - Posture

Whether you’re speaking in person or virtually, be aware of your posture. A strong, assured posture is immediately apparent and will give you that commanding “presence” you want to achieve when you speak. So when you’re standing, stand up tall with your shoulders back. Likewise, if you’re sitting, sit up straight, shoulders down and back, not hunched forward. These simple adjustments will help you look confident and communicate that confidence through your posture.

#2 - Facial Expressions

This one is especially important if you’re speaking or presenting remotely, because when the cameras are on, everyone will be focused on your facial expression. So be mindful of what your face is doing - are you frowning, looking anxious or worried? Or is your face in a more relaxed pose, smiling and connecting with people?

This is also something to watch if you’re visible as an audience member on the call. That involuntary eye roll at just the wrong moment could get you into all sorts of trouble!

#3 - Gestures

Do you use gestures and “speak with your hands” to emphasise the points you’re making? The occasional gesture is ok, but be careful that too many of them aren’t distracting your audience and taking away from your message.

Be very conscious and aware of the type of gestures that you're making. For example, if you’re talking about the three reasons you support this proposal, it’s natural to use hand gestures to emphasise each point - “Firstly, secondly, thirdly.” But if your hands are just flying about all over the place without any specific purpose, watch for that and try to reduce the gestures if you can.

It’s a little easier if you’re speaking virtually because you can do your best to keep your hands out of the camera shot. That way, you can still move them and create that movement within your body, but without the distraction on screen.

#4 - Eye contact

Culturally, we see eye contact as a way to connect with people. Think of the phrase, “they couldn’t look me in the eye” - which immediately suggests a lack of trust.

If you’re speaking to a group of people at an in-person event, try to scan through the audience as you talk, making that connection with one person at a time before moving on to someone else. Holding eye contact for a moment really helps to build confidence in the message you’re sharing.

When you’re online, it gets a bit trickier. If you look at your screen while you speak (our natural instinct), you won’t be looking directly at your audience. Your gaze will be slightly off. For direct eye contact, set your camera at eye level and look straight down the lens - which can feel a little odd at first! If it helps, pop a post-it with a stick figure drawing or a photo beside your camera lens to remind you where to focus.

#5 - Nervous Habits

These are small details - things we tend to do without even realising it until a well-meaning friend points it out or we watch a recording of ourselves. Noises, fidgeting, any habits that you have when you speak that might show you’re not quite at ease.

If you’re standing on stage to speak or presenting to the rest of your team, perhaps you end up rocking back and forth a lot, or pacing up and down without any real purpose. Or maybe you’re clicking your pen lid, tapping your foot, flipping your hair or swinging in your chair as you talk. All these things can be a real distraction for your audience and show a level of discomfort and lack of confidence in your speaking.

Your body language is speaking for you all the time

Your body language is front and centre all the time, whether you’re aware of it or not. But unfortunately, you can’t just flip a switch to wear “positive body language” for the duration of your speech or presentation - it goes much deeper than that.

From the moment you enter the room, as you’re making your way up to the stage, waiting on the Zoom call to deliver your presentation, your body language speaks volumes. So make sure you’re happy with the story it’s telling and that it shows you’re confident and composed right from the start.

If you want to boost your speaking confidence so you can make the best possible impression every time you speak, I’d love to help. I work with business owners and professionals who want to overcome their public speaking nerves, gain personal gravitas and articulate and communicate like never before.

Click here to book a complimentary intro call to discuss your specific speaking challenges and see how I can help.

How to Use Body Language to Increase Your Influence and Boost Your Speaking Confidence