Body language is a
science about non-verbal communication we do through our facial expressions, gestures, eye
movement, touch etc. It is a discipline,
which has got lot of attention of business fraternities for last 3-4 decades
due to its significance in business landscape. It is also known as kinesics.
We
will have a distinct advantage, if we learn how we can use body language to
express ourselves. First and foremost, we should learn about some
basic mistakes of body language, which can give a wrong impression about one’s
behavior at a public or formal place.
In
this Article, we are emphasizing some of those important gestures, which can
lead to disastrous outcomes.
1) Eye Contact:
Eyes being the two tiny windows of someone’s
personality are placed as most important part of body language. It is obvious
that by a firm and confident eye contact, we express our interest and caring
gesture. However, we need to be careful
about the impression we may create, if it falls on either side of the two
extremes.
a) Longer than expected: Eye contact for
too long with someone gives an impression that we are gawking or staring to the
person.
b) Crooked or No Eye Contact:
Similar to the longer eye contact, even crooked or no eye contact breaks our
image in a formal gathering.
2) Invading Personal Space: An
individual can encounter cross cultural challenges and if one is not aware of
the ethos of the new region in advance, where he/she is moving, it is advisable
to research beforehand. It has also seen that the profile, sex and age, enhance
the expectations among working professional about their personal free space.
So, this body language plays important role, while dealing with heterogeneity
at work place.
3)
Hand Shake: Hand shake
is one of the medium through which we create our first impression about the
other person, whom we meet first time. Therefore, we should be cautious while
shaking our hands.
a)
The
Bone-Crusher: If the hand shake goes too hard,
it may be taken negatively by the other person. Moreover, it can create pain to
the other person as well.
b)
Wet Fish Handshake: A
handshake, if goes tender shows either you are not confident or not interested.
So, Firm Hand shake is expected irrespective of the profile of the other
person.
4)
Fidgeting: One of
the survey conducted on 2100 recruiters, revealed that about 29% of these
recruiters expressed fidgeting as the biggest body language faux pas considered
in the interviews. It refers to the act of playing with hair, ears, biting
nails, lips or tapping fingers etc. during an important meeting.
5)
Slouching:
Slouching refers to bad posture like sitting bending your shoulders inwards.
This kind of body language signifies lack of confidence.
If we focus on above
gestures and correct them immediately, we will certainly see the optimistic
changes around. With the knowledge of Body language, an individual can create a
positive impression at work place.
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