Understanding and effectively employing body language, both the positive and negative aspects, is essential for all business leaders. Good body language not only fosters a more welcoming work environment but also contributes to happier and more motivated employees. Regardless of your position in the company, whether you’re a real estate broker/owner, team leader, or the person responsible for office mail deliveries, your body language carries significant weight.
Your body language plays a pivotal role in how people perceive and respect you in the workplace. Poor body language can lead to unfavorable first impressions and misinterpretations—a fact well-recognized by all who understand the importance of those initial encounters.
Here are five of the most detrimental body language mistakes that anyone, can make at work regardless of their role, along with guidance on how to rectify them.
Keeping Your Cell Phone in Sight
- This common mistake involves unconsciously keeping your phone within your line of vision during meetings or discussions. Such behavior conveys to your employees that you are more interested in your phone than in them, leading them to believe you’ll prioritize checking your device if it buzzes.
- To remedy this, it’s imperative for all business leaders to keep their cell phones out of sight during meetings. Use an alternative timekeeping method, such as a watch or a clock, to check the time. There’s no need for your phone to be visible during these critical moments.
Never Smiling
- Smiling during communication is well-known to put people at ease, making it vital for business leaders to remember to smile when appropriate.
- This doesn’t mean you should wear a perpetual smile throughout the day, as that can be just as off-putting as never smiling. Instead, allow yourself to smile in response to others’ smiles or when genuine laughter arises. Even as a business leader, it’s essential to embrace moments of humor and levity.
- A warm, genuine smile doesn’t have to be a broad, toothy grin. A subtle upward curve of the lips suffices. What matters most is that it appears sincere.
- It’s also crucial to smile during phone conversations, as body language transfers to your voice. When you smile, you convey warmth and enthusiasm even through a telephone line. If smiling on command doesn’t come naturally, it’s a skill worth honing.
Mismatching Your Body Language and Words
- Consistency between your body language and spoken words is crucial, particularly when delivering instructions or conveying important information. People tend to trust body language more than spoken language, so incongruity between the two can lead to misunderstanding.
- For instance, if you instruct someone on the importance of completing a task by the end of the day while appearing distracted and having slouched shoulders, others may perceive that you don’t genuinely care about the task’s urgency.
- To avoid this mistake, ensure that your body language aligns with your message. Keep your arms uncrossed, smile, and express enthusiasm in your voice when offering praise or discussing critical matters.
Failing to Mirroring the Person You’re Talking To
- During a conversation, mirroring the other person’s body language helps demonstrate your understanding and engagement in the discussion. This includes mirroring their tone of voice, posture, tempo, and gestures.
- However, it’s important not to overdo it by completely copying the other person. Instead, aim to match their level of enthusiasm and engagement. If someone speaks passionately about a project, respond with a slightly higher tone, a faster pace, and increased gesturing to convey your own enthusiasm.
Lack of Facial Expressions
- While business leaders often adopt a neutral expression, maintaining a blank face can make others feel that you’re disinterested in what they’re saying.
- To demonstrate interest, occasionally raise your eyebrows, lean forward slightly, or nod your head as the conversation unfolds. Eye contact is also crucial; when you need to divert your gaze, avoid looking downward, as it can signal a lack of confidence. Instead, glance to the left or right for a less off-putting impression.
Making these adjustments to your body language can significantly improve your workplace environment, particularly if you’re a business leader. Sometimes, a simple smile at the right moment or a nod can convey that you genuinely care about what others have to say. Avoiding these five body language mistakes is essential for fostering a happier and more productive workspace, particularly when your actions as a business leader can influence employees at various levels within the organization.