Your body language says a lot about you. How well you communicate with others is determined by how you use your hands, feet, face, and posture. It is something we rarely think about, but it tells us a lot about how someone feels about themselves and others around them. The way we speak and interact with others influences their perception of us. When we communicate well, they perceive our intentions and feelings correctly, and they respond appropriately. Therefore, understanding signs of negative body language is important for effective communication.
However, if we make mistakes in communicating with others, they will not understand our message and may have negative responses. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of their body language and those around them may misunderstand their gestures, facial expressions, posture, and eye contact. These misinterpretations can lead to conflict and misunderstanding. So, here are 8 common signs of negative body language that you need to avoid.
- Crossed Arms – Defensive Position:
Crossing arms is a sign of protection. When someone crosses their arms, they’re making themselves smaller by covering up their hands and hiding behind their own body. Crossing their arms shows that they don’t want to engage in conversation and want to be left alone.
It may also indicate anger, frustration, or displeasure towards the person. So, if you often speak to others with your arms folded over your chest, then you might want to consider changing your posture altogether.
2. Avoiding Eye Contact:
Avoiding Eye Contact may indicate that someone is not interested in talking to you or listening to what you have to say. If a person is looking elsewhere while in a conversation, it shows apathy, disinterest, or simply a lack of confidence. Also, many people often do this when they are thinking about something else.
So, it is best to always make a conscious effort and make eye contact with people during conversations. Research shows that maintaining modest eye contact shows confidence and interest, and builds empathy between individuals.
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3. Excessive fidgeting:
Fidgeting is a sign of anxiety or discomfort. When people fidget, they may move their hands around, tap their feet, rub their legs together, or move around a lot while sitting down. There’s nothing wrong with being a bit nervous before speaking in front of others.
However, if fidgeting happens too much, it can often become distracting and annoying. So, if you are too tense during public interactions, then pause, take slow, deep breaths, reorganize your thoughts and speak firmly.
Also, if you struggle a lot with public speaking and wish to improve your confidence you can take personality development classes. Such classes can help you develop better social etiquette, develop a positive attitude, build up your self-esteem and make you seem more professional.
4. Slouching Shoulders:
Slouching is the act of leaning forward while sitting or standing. When slouched over, the shoulders drop down and the head drops forward. When someone slouches, they appear weak and tired. It is also often associated with insecurity or low self-esteem.
Slouching can make you look extremely unprofessional as it may indicate boredom or disinterest. It conveys that the person does not believe he or she is worth paying attention to. So, it is very important to maintain good posture and show a certain level of enthusiasm during interactions.
5. Loud Voice:
A loud voice can easily overpower conversations. Loud voices also send messages that threaten and intimidate others. When someone speaks loudly, he or she tends to raise his or her voice, which sends mixed signals.
While raising your voice might help you get your point across, it does so at the expense of making others uncomfortable. So, speak loud enough so people further away can hear but not so loud that it makes people close to you feel discomfort.
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6. Stiff Posture:
We often tend to freeze when we are nervous. A stiff posture shows that the person is uncomfortable and does not want to interact with others. People who tense up their shoulders while standing are probably feeling stressed out. A stiff posture is a clear sign that the person is either afraid or uneasy.
You may notice yourself holding your head high, neck back, arms crossed over your chest, or legs tightly together. So, be mindful of your posture and try your best to stay relaxed and maintain your composure. You may choose to attend some courses where you can find the best soft skill coach for perfect body language tips and tricks.
7. Very Weak or Very Strong Handshake:
The first thing people notice about someone is their handshake. A weak handshake says something about the person’s confidence level. If you do not feel comfortable enough to shake hands, it can indicate insecurity, nervousness, fear, or even arrogance. However, if your handshake is too strong, then it may come across as threatening.
8. Finger Tapping:
Finger tapping is a sign of annoyance or impatience. It is a very common habit that we may find ourselves doing involuntarily. People who tap their fingers may be anxious about something. This bad habit is not only distracting but also shows a lack of interest on your part. Try to rest your hand aside or on a table and stay focused.
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Conclusion:
These were some of the most common signs of negative body language that you must avoid during public encounters. Such mistakes may leave a bitter impression on you and can create a major obstacle to success in your career. So, watch out for these non-verbal cues as they might circumvent your credibility and make you look unprofessional.
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