These women connect with their audience every time they step on stage, and this is thanks to their body language. We show you the tools to become a master communicator.
Did you know that using your hands correctly while communicating can increase the effectiveness of your message by up to 60%? This is just one example of how we can communicate without using words . In fact, before the word existed, our ancestors communicated effectively through the use of a language that remains fundamental in our everyday communication. And that is body language .
What is body language?
Psychology Today describes body language as a “ silent orchestra . ” Non-verbal messages, including body movements, facial expressions, vocal tone and volume, displays of emotion, hand gestures, movements and postures that give clues about what we think and feel. All of these signals register in your audience’s human brain almost immediately, coloring the way they perceive you and the way the information you share is interpreted.
Masters of indirect communication
Through our bodies we communicate all the time . There are women who perfectly master these communicative body skills, which makes communication more effective, more impactful and attractive. In these videos, you can see certain very useful tools to achieve this high level of information dissemination.
1. Hands as clues
Hand gestures add emphasis , but to be effective they must be in sync with what you’re saying. Using your hands in any way unrelated to your message will only be distracting.
In this video, Morgan Stanley’s Carla Harris shares pro tips and starts with the easiest hand gesture: using your fingers to count. Effective speakers use corresponding finger gestures on one hand each time they enumerate a list. This informs the listener that a list is coming up, helps organize information , and makes it easier to remember the content .
2. The eyes as a guide
Oprah Winfrey wins the award for best eye contact. Eye contact connects you with the listener and makes them feel like you are talking to them. But there is nuance and interpretation to each form of eye contact . If you scan the room too quickly, you will convey a feeling of nervousness. If you look into someone’s eyes for too long, they may feel uncomfortable.
In this video, Winfrey does a great job dividing the room into 3 sections. He looks carefully at each section as he completes a sentence. Then he moves on to another phrase and another section. About 30 seconds into the clip , she takes off her glasses, removing the barrier between her and her audience so they can truly see each other “face to face.”
3. The staging
Watching someone simply stand at a podium and read a speech can be a sure recipe for boredom. Lily Singh is a great example of a woman who knows how to move effectively on stage. In this TED talk on gender equality , the pioneering actress does not walk, which can convey a feeling of nervousness. Rather, she moves intentionally , stopping in one place to emphatically finish her thought. When she moves on to the next part of a story or begins a new thought, she resumes movement.
Singh also demonstrates an effective way of using props on stage. As he talks about “taking a seat” (around the 7:45 mark), he approaches the table and chair on stage and says, “And I remember thinking now… now, I’ve been invited to the big table and now things They will be different. So I took a seat.” And with that, Singh sat confidently on what appears to be simply a prop on a stage.
4. Faces that engage
Because facial expressions are one of the most obvious forms of nonverbal communication , they can be very impactful or even distracting. To do it well, your facial expressions must complement your content . And, most importantly, it is important that you modify your facial expressions throughout your talk to keep your audience interested and connected .
Michelle Obama is an expert at using her face to connect with her audience and drive her message home. In her final speech as First Lady, she begins with a somewhat serious tone until she says: “So, all the young people in this room and those who are watching know that this country belongs to you.” And with that, she softens her face and offers a warm, reassuring smile. She resumes a serious tone and raises her eyebrows as she says, “If you or your parents are immigrants, know that you are part of a proud American tradition.” And then: ”With a lot of hard work and a good education, anything is possible. Even become president.” And with that, she softens and offers the audience a wide, genuine smile.
5. “Wonder Woman” Pose
When your grandmother told you as a child to stand up straight or sit up straight, she may not have been misguided. Posture is very important .
Taking up space makes you seem more relevant, like a peacock, more formidable, more like an expert. On the contrary, postures that make you smaller diminish your impact. Avoid crossing your arms over your chest or slouching; That makes you seem small and closed, which creates a barrier with your audience.
An easy option is to assume a version of the “ Wonder Woman” pose : legs slightly apart, shoulders back, and hands confidently on your hips or in your pockets. Not only will this make you look confident, but it will also help even out the height imbalance that many women feel when they are around men and give you a feeling of power. Reese Witherspoon and Beyonce are two stars who nail that pose every time they step into the spotlight.
Body language is just as important as what is said when it comes to effective communication . So, as you prepare your remarks or prepare for an important conversation, take some time to choreograph the nonverbal parts of your talk. It’s the difference between being just a good speaker and being a great speaker .
