You've probably heard the statistic that only seven percent of a message is conveyed
through words. And the other 93 percent comes from nonverbal communication.
Put simply, body language is the unspoken element of communication that we use to
reveal our true feelings and emotions.
It can also be taking care to avoid a defensive, arms-crossed posture, or restlessly
tapping your feet.
If someone is exhibiting one or more of the following behaviors, they'll likely be
disengaged, disinterested or unhappy (see Figure 1):
Arms folded in front of the body.
Minimal or tense facial expression.
Body turned away from you.
Eyes downcast, maintaining little contact.
Being aware of these signs can help you adjust what you say – and how you say it. That
way, you can make the other person feel more at ease and open to persuasion
The Body Language of a Bored Audience
When delivering a presentation, or collaborating in a group, you want the people
around you to be fully engaged.
Here are some clear indicators that they may be bored by what you're saying (see
Figures 3-6):
Sitting slumped, with heads downcast.
Gazing at something else, or into space.
Fidgeting, picking at clothes, or fiddling with pens and phones.
Writing or doodling.
Positive body language supports your points, helps you convey ideas more clearly, and
avoids sending mixed messages.
Use a firm handshake. But don't get carried away! You don't want it to become
awkward, aggressive, or painful for the other person.
Maintain good eye contact. Try to hold the other person's gaze for a few
seconds at a time. This will show them that you're sincere and engaged. But avoid
turning it into a staring contest! (See Figure 9).
Avoid touching your face. If you do while answering questions, it can be seen
as a sign of dishonesty (see Figure 10). While this isn't always the case, you should
still avoid fiddling with your hair or scratching your nose, so that you convey
trustworthiness.
Virtual Body Language
Get your camera set up right. This means you're close enough to show interest
but not too close to invade people's virtual space. And leave room to gesture without
hitting the screen!
Tidy your workspace or find a quiet area for your video call. That way,
you'll minimize distractions that could take your eyes off attendees.
Maintain eye contact. Look into the camera as if you're looking into someone's
eyes. If it's a group call, looking around the participants will let you gaze without
staring.
Use facial expressions. Your face is front and center on a video call, so
maintain a slight smile throughout. Raise your eyebrows to show engagement,
and avoid frowning.
“When eye contact is maintained, it signifies control or power over a situation and establishes dominance.”
Eye contact is a form of body language which is important during communication. How we present ourselves and communicate with others
aside from talking is by our body language. Our body language speaks more than words which then logically accounts for a bigger
percentage of our communication skills. Therefore our eyes speaks volumes about us and how we communicate.
Some points to remember while communicating and why eye contact is important are:
It today’s article, we will look at five reasons why eye contact is imperative in conversation.
Respect
eye contact shows the other person that you feel equal in importance.
There are other ways to show respect, but our eyes reflect our sincerity, warmth, and honesty.
Understanding
Sometimes locking glances is the only sign you need to show someone that you understand what they are talking about. More
specifically, if you need to get a vital point across, eye contact is the best way to communicate that importance. Eye contact is
also a form of background acknowledgment like saying “yeah” and “mhhm.”
Bonding
Direct eye contact is so powerful that it increases empathy and links together emotional states. Never underestimate the power
of eye contact in creating long-lasting bonds.
Confidence
