13 body language blunders that make you look bad

13 body language blunders that make you look badeanstalt13 body language blunders that make you look badOur bodies have a language of their own, and their words arent 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 thats the case, its time to start, because you could be sabotaging your career.TalentSmart has tested mora than a million people and found that the upper echelons of top performance are filled with people who are high in emotional intelligence (90% of top performers, to be exact). These people know the power that unspoken signals have in communication and they monitor their own body language accordingly.Body language is a very powerful tool. We had body language before we had speech, and apparently, 80% of what you understand in a conversation is read through the body, not the words. Deborah BullWhen youre working hard and doing all you can to achieve your goals, anything that can g ive you an edge is powerful and will streamline your path to success. Just make certain you dont fragestellung victim to any of these body language blunders.Exaggerated gestures can imply that youre stretching the truth. Aim for small, controlled gestures to indicate leadership and confidence, and open gestures- like spreading your arms apart or showing the palms of your hands- to communicate that you have nothing to hide.Crossed arms create a physical barrier that suggests youre not open to what the other partie is saying. Even if youre smiling or engaged in a pleasant conversation, the other rolle may get a nagging sense that youre shutting him or her out. Even if folding your arms feels comfortable, resist the urge to do so if you want people to see you as open-minded and interested in what they have to say.Inconsistency between your words and your facial expression causes people to sense that something isnt right and they begin to suspect that youre trying to deceive them, even if they dont know exactly why or how.For example, a nervous smile while rejecting an offer during a negotiation wont help you get what you want it will just make the other person feel uneasy about working with you because theyll assume that youre up to something.Turning yourself away from others, or not leaning into your conversation, portrays that you are unengaged, uninterested, uncomfortable, and perhaps even distrustful of the person speaking.Try leaning in towards the person who is speaking and tilt your head slightly as you listen to them speak. This shows the person speaking that they have your complete focus and attention.Slouching is a sign of disrespect. It communicates that youre bored and have no desire to be where you are. You would never tell your boss, I dont understand why I have to listen to you, but if you slouch, you dont have to- your body says it for you, loud and clear.The brain is hardwired to equate power with the amount of space people take up. Standing up s traight with your shoulders back is a power position. It maximizes the amount of space you fill. Slouching, on the other hand, is the result of collapsing your form- it takes up less space and projects less power. Maintaining good posture commands respect and promotes engagement from both ends of the conversation.Avoiding eye contact makes it look like you have something to hide, and that arouses suspicion. Lack of eye contact can also indicate a lack of confidence and interest, which you never want to communicate in a business setting. Sustained eye contact, on the other hand, communicates confidence, leadership, strength, and intelligence. While it is possible to be engaged without direct, constant eye contact, complete negligence will clearly have negative effects on your professional relationships.Eye contact thats too intense may be perceived as aggressive, or an attempt to dominate. On average, Americans hold eye contact for seven to ten seconds, longer when were listening tha n when were talking. The way we break contact sends a message, too. Glancing down communicates submission, while looking to the side projects confidence.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 youre with, and that youre anxious to leave them.Exaggerated nodding signals anxiety about approval. People may perceive your heavy nods as an attempt to show you agree with or understand something that you actually dont.Fidgeting with or fixing your hair signals that youre anxious, over-energized, self-conscious, and distracted. People will perceive you as overly concerned with your physical appearance and not concerned enough with your career.Scowling or having a generally unhappy expression sends the message that youre upset by those around you, even if they have nothing to do with your mood. Scowls turn people away, as they feel judged. Smiling, ho wever, suggests that youre open, trustworthy, confident, and friendly. MRI studies have shown that the human brain responds favorably to a person whos smiling, and this leaves a lasting positive impression.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 its always firm.Getting too close. If you stand too close to someone (nearer than one and a half feet), it signals that you have no respect for or understanding of personal space. This will make people very uncomfortable when theyre around you.Bringing it all togetherAvoiding these body language blunders will help you form stronger relationships, both professionally and personally.13 body language blunders that make you look badOur bodies have a language of their own, and their words arent 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 thats the case, its time to start, because you could be sabotaging your career.TalentSmart has tested more than a million people and found that the upper echelons of top performance are filled with people who are high in emotional intelligence (90% of top performers, to be exact). These people know the power that unspoken signals have in communication and they monitor their own body language accordingly.Body language is a very powerful tool. We had body language before we had speech, and apparently, 80% of what you understand in a conversation is read through the body, not the words. - Deborah BullWhen youre working hard and doing all you can to achieve your goals, anything that can give you an edge is powerful and will streamline your path to success. Just make certain you dont fall victim to any of these body language blunders.Exaggerated gestures can imply that youre stretching the truth. Aim for small, controlled gestures to indicate leadership and confidence, and open gestures - like spreading your arms apart or showing the palms of your hands - to communicate that you have nothing to hide.Crossed arms create a physical barrier that suggests youre not open to what the other person is saying. Even if youre smiling or engaged in a pleasant conversation, the other person may get a nagging sense that youre shutting him or her out. Even if folding your arms feels comfortable, resist the urge to do so if you want people to see you as open-minded and interested in what they have to say.Inconsistency between your words and your facial expression causes people to sense that something isnt right and they begin to suspect that youre trying to deceive them, even if they dont know exactly why or how.For example, a nervous smile while rejecting an offer during a negotiation wont help you get what you want it will just make the other person feel uneasy about working with you becau se theyll assume that youre up to something.Turning yourself away from others, or not leaning into your conversation, portrays that you are unengaged, uninterested, uncomfortable, and perhaps even distrustful of the person speaking.Try leaning in towards the person who is speaking and tilt your head slightly as you listen to them speak. This shows the person speaking that they have your complete focus and attention.Slouching is a sign of disrespect. It communicates that youre bored and have no desire to be where you are. You would never tell your boss, I dont understand why I have to listen to you, but if you slouch, you dont have to - your body says it for you, loud and clear.The brain is hardwired to equate power with the amount of space people take up. Standing up straight with your shoulders back is a power position. It maximizes the amount of space you fill. Slouching, on the other hand, is the result of collapsing your form- it takes up less space and projects less power. Mai ntaining good posture commands respect and promotes engagement from both ends of the conversation.Avoiding eye contact makes it look like you have something to hide, and that arouses suspicion. Lack of eye contact can also indicate a lack of confidence and interest, which you never want to communicate in a business setting. Sustained eye contact, on the other hand, communicates confidence, leadership, strength, and intelligence. While it is possible to be engaged without direct, constant eye contact, complete negligence will clearly have negative effects on your professional relationships.Eye contact thats too intense may be perceived as aggressive, or an attempt to dominate. On average, Americans hold eye contact for seven to ten seconds, longer when were listening than when were talking. The way we break contact sends a message, too. Glancing down communicates submission, while looking to the side projects confidence.Watching the clock while talking to someone is a clear sign of d isrespect, impatience, and inflated ego. It sends the message that you have better things to do than talk to the person youre with, and that youre anxious to leave them.Exaggerated nodding signals anxiety about approval. People may perceive your heavy nods as an attempt to show you agree with or understand something that you actually dont.Fidgeting with or fixing your hair signals that youre anxious, over-energized, self-conscious, and distracted. People will perceive you as overly concerned with your physical appearance and not concerned enough with your career.Scowling or having a generally unhappy expression sends the message that youre upset by those around you, even if they have nothing to do with your mood. Scowls turn people away, as they feel judged. Smiling, however, suggests that youre open, trustworthy, confident, and friendly. MRI studies have shown that the human brain responds favorably to a person whos smiling, and this leaves a lasting positive impression.Weak handsh akes 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 its always firm.Getting too close. If you stand too close to someone (nearer than one and a half feet), it signals that you have no respect for or understanding of personal space. This will make people very uncomfortable when theyre around you.Bringing it all togetherAvoiding these body language blunders will help you form stronger relationships, both professionally and personally.This article first appeared on LinkedIn.