A classic example is men, knowingly or unknowingly, invading the personal space of women, and attracting harassment lawsuits. Invasion of personal space has a detrimental effect on business relationships. It looks like eye contact but it's not! - Kenny Nguyen, Big Fish Presentations If you can't look them in the eye, try looking at them in the forehead. Practice pausing between sentences, let people finish their sentences and look people in the eye when talking to them. Talking too fast or blinking rapidly is a sign of nervousness and distrust.

Authentically listening can impact a sale, employee performance and supplier relationship better than any other form of communication. Ryan Bradley, Koester & Bradley, LLPīeing in the apparel industry, I have had to communicate with all facets of individuals, from customers to suppliers to employees, and the one thing I have seen make or break relationships and business progress is the ability to listen to the other side. Of course, if there is an emergency, there can be exceptions, but it is amazing how easy it is to make great connections when there are fewer distractions. Strive to engage with others at the gathering and refrain from ever overtly checking your phone. While phone addiction is ubiquitous now, it is still rude. If you are networking, or at any public gathering for that matter, put the phone away. Evidence from psychology shows that moderate eye contact communicates confidence, interest, and puts people at ease. People adapt to diverse communication styles, but ever since I have made a conscious effort to make eye contact and smile. He said that he found it easier to focus on what people were saying when he wasn't looking at them. Most people don’t stand with their legs crossed if they are talking to a person they just met.I once worked with a colleague who would stare into space when people talked to him. Because they are very comfortable around each other. Standing with legs crossed is something you can see when two friends have a conversation. Our brain is always on the edge looking for possible threats, even though we aren’t aware of it ourselves. There’s a reason why we humans have survived, and that’s because of our brains “defense system”.

When we feel threatened our brain makes us stand firmly on the ground, ready to defend ourselves. Therefore, our brain doesn’t allow us to stand with our legs crossed if we feel uncomfortable. If someone would give you a light push, there’s a big chance you would lose your balance and fall to the floor. When you stand with your legs crossed, you have a bad balance. Someone standing with their legs crossed is a good signal of someone that feels comfortable.

While sitting with our legs crossed can be a signal of discomfort. You can be much more confident if you can point out a couple of other signals that point to the same thing too. Which makes it easier for us to pinpoint why a specific nonverbal sign is shown.Īs usual you should of course also look for other nonverbal signals too. Our body language is going to react instantly. Often when someone says something that makes us uncomfortable. As with most nonverbal signals it’s about the timing. Maybe there was something you did or said that made him uncomfortable, or perhaps a person he didn’t like entered the room. If you watch for the exact moment the other person crosses his legs, you can get a clue why he feel uncomfortable or threatened. It’s literally our brain that feels threatened and makes us defend ourselves by making some sort of barrier between us and the other person. It’s a sign that we are uncomfortable or that we feel threatened. When we create a barrier between us and another person with our hands, arms, legs or by holding an object in front of us. You’re creating a barrier between you and the other person with you leg. If you cross the leg so that the leg on top is pointing away. Why is there a difference what leg is on top you ask? When you sit side by side with someone. If this move is followed by an arm cross, it’s an even stronger sign of the other person closing himself off. On the other hand, if the leg on top is pointing away from us, it’s a sign that the other person is uncomfortable and may feel threatened.

Closed hands body language