How Your Body Language Could Make A Difference In Your Career

Libby Ryan

If you took any public speaking class in high school or college, you probably remember that, to the teacher, body language meant everything. No slouching, no hair in your face, talk loudly but not too loudly and so on. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that body language also means a lot in your workplace.

There are clear dos and don’ts everyone should follow no matter their profession. Here are some major body language tips you should be aware of before that big presentation.

1. Your Eye Contact

First things first: making eye contact with your colleagues, boss and anyone else in your workplace is key to looking confident. Making eye contact when speaking professionally with someone could have a big impact on your ability to persuade as well as appear knowledgeable. Not making eye contact, on the other hand, may suggest the opposite — that you’re unsure or don’t really know what you’re talking about. And, of course, making too much eye contact (or staring at someone at work) can make you seem a bit creepy… but you probably already knew that.

2. Your Posture

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Your posture can also say a lot about your self-confidence as well as your general mood throughout the day. Good posture suggests that you’re not only focused and alert, but also approachable. Studies also suggest that having good posture can actually positively affect your mood and your thoughts, making them more optimistic than those with poor posture.

3. Your Cell Phone

Maybe it’s just us, but we think it’s a no-brainer not to have your cell phone in hand during an important professional conversation unless you’re referring to something on it, and even then, you could probably pull it up on a laptop instead. Checking your phone a ton throughout the day, scrolling through social media feeds or even having it on the table during a meeting can read as rude in the workplace. A good practice is to keep your phone in silent mode unless you’re expecting an important call and leave it alone throughout the day.

4. Your Handshake

Though everyone’s handshake is different, having a good one is important when it comes to your career. A study published in the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience tested a number of handshakes on participants who then recorded their feelings afterward. The results showed that a firm, brief handshake was the way to go, while lingering, squeezing the fingers too much and a limp, weak hand all made participants feel less likely to engage with the handshaker. We suggest testing out your handshake on some friends. A good handshake could be your defining factor as a confident employee.

5. Your Hand Gestures

Libby Ryan

Aside from the classic handshake, how you gesture while you talk could impact someone’s perception of you. Researchers at the University of Ottawa found that nonverbal behaviors are meaningful as soon as you establish an interpersonal exchange with someone and that hand gestures are at the forefront of that person’s perception of you. They also found that not motioning at all may read as bland or uninterested, while gesturing too broadly can distract someone from what you’re saying. Mostly, you want your gestures to feel natural and to accompany the point you’re making. Authenticity is everything.

At the end of the day, your “stance” — a combination of the above nonverbal cues you’re giving off in the workplace — dramatically impacts how others see you. You want to make a good amount of eye contact, give a strong yet friendly handshake, gesture appropriately and keep your cell phone away from the conversation (if you can help). Adding all this positive body language to your professional presence will only strengthen your image and make you feel more confident in your career.