As female leaders in business, we all know the importance of getting our message across clearly. If you’re like me, you make great efforts to ensure that words are clear, concise and that they send just the right message. And what’s not being said is as important. Communication includes more than what’s being spoken.
According to Professor Deepika Phutela of Tantia University in India, research shows that 93% of what we communicate in non-verbal. 93%!
55% of what we communicate is specific to our body language!
That means that, if we’re not careful, we could be saying a whole lot more than we intend to. (Or a whole lot less!)
This is great news for female leaders. When we have this kind of awareness at our disposal, we can begin to use our non-verbal communication to our advantage, saying more even if we’re saying nothing at all.
Below, I discuss 9 tips for making your body language work for you. The more you lean into these empowering strategies for body language, the clearer and more powerful your messaging can become.
BODY LANGUAGE. Make it work for you.
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Choose body language that doesn’t betray you. Head tilts, signaling that you are listening, are read as submissive. Nodding may express encouragement but not authority.
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Take up space at your next business meeting. Elegantly spread out. Claim your turf.
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Avoid girlish gestures—twirling hair, playing with jewelry, filing a nail
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Smile honestly and often when appropriate.
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Drop your voice at the end of sentences that are not questions.
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“Learn to elegantly interrupt” at meetings, Madeleine Albright advises professional women.
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Appear calm and contained in your presentations to maximize your authority. Control the use of your hands so that their movement emphasizes what you want to convey.
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Offer a firm handshake facing the other person squarely. Be sure that the web of your hand touches the web of the other person’s.
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Forget about flirting–entirely. 100% NOT cool!
Once you’ve mastered these small strategies, you will be able to bring a powerful, confident message that speaks loud and clear from the moment you walk into the room, without saying a word.
Looking for more ways to strengthen your message and your influence in business? If you’d like a boost in the right direction, let’s talk. I’m a woman like you who’s done it, and I’d be happy to explore the possibility of collaborating together. You can learn more about me at https://MariCarmenPizarro.com
