|
We all know the old adage - it’s not
what you say but what you do that
counts. Well according to research on
body language, this may be more true
than you previously realised.
“It is
both the most basic, fundamental form of
expression used by human beings to
communicate with one another,” says
career coach Peter Fisher, writing for
Your-Career-Change.com, ”and at the same
time a part of a highly sophisticated
and culturally specific system of coded
signals”.
Subconsciously and
instinctively, we all read the body
language of others
day to day, but never more so than when
we meet someone new. We weigh
them up, gleaning information about who
they are, and what they are all about
from their gestures and actions. So when
it comes to meetings with new business
associates, how we come across in those
first few minutes is sure to leave a lasting
impression.
mehrabian writes...
|
According to Professor Albert Mehrabian,
writing in his influential book ‘Silent
Messages’, 55% of meaning conveyed in
communication comes from body language.
Tone of voice accounts for 38%, and
words account for a mere 7%.
So
what can we do to make our first
impression the right one? Peter Fisher suggests
you focus on these three areas. |
Subconsciously and instinctively, we all
read the body language of others day to
day, but never more so than when we meet
some new. |
give them the eye
Maintaining good eye contact builds
great rapport, shows your interest in
what they are saying and intimates
honesty. If you are in a meeting with
more than one person, try to engage in
good eye contact with each.
shake on it
Getting a handshake right can pay
dividends. Try to make sure it is not
too firm or too soft, and use good eye
contact during the shake.
mirror image
Look at how they are sitting and try to
mirror their posture. Are they sitting
upright, forward, or back and relaxed?
Replicating their composure can show you
are in tune with them.
|
.jpg)
