The Nonverbal Advantage: Body Language Presentation

1. The Nonverbal Advantage - Body LanguagePresentation for the Institute of Internal Auditors - Miami Chapter By Valeria Vera

2. AGENDA • Nonverbal Communication (Body Language) • The Five C’s of Body Language • Interpreting the Advantages of Nonverbal Communication • How to Make the Best First Impression Nonverbally

3. NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION (BODY LANGUAGE)

4. Nonverbal Communication (Body Language) • Research shows that the impact of our communication breaks down into three communication elements: • 55% of communication is visual – facial expressions, hand gestures, body position, eye contact and other forms of nonverbal communication. • 38% of vocal – pitch, speed, volume, tone of voice. • Only 7% are the words you use. • As much as 93% of communication is nonverbal!!! • In the past, scientists thought that human emotions were mainly read and transferred through facial expressions. New research from the field of cognitive and affective neuroscience suggests that all non-verbal communication can be just as significant in emotional communication and decision making.

5. Non-Verbal Communication Continued: • Oldest, most trusted language in the world. • Words may lie, but body language, unless you have learned to control it, arises in the sub-conscious and is generally truthful. • Words can be manipulated, gestures and expressions are harder to control. • Most people follow what they see rather than what they hear. • Nonverbal signals consistently override verbal signals. • If your words conflict with your nonverbal signals, others will believe the message sent by your nonverbal!

6. THE FIVE C’s OF BODY LANGUAGE

7. The Five C’s of Body Language • Context: the meaning of nonverbal communication changes as scene changes. Just like in real estate, location matters. • Clusters: Nonverbal cues occur in a gesture cluster- a group of movements, postures and actions that reinforce a common point. • Congruence: When gestures and expressions are in alignment with what is being said. • Consistency: Knowing someone’s behavioral baseline enhances the ability to spot meaningful deviations. • Culture: All nonverbal communication is influenced by our cultural heritage.

8. INTERPRETING THE ADVANTAGES OF NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION

9. THE POWER OF EYE CONTACT • This is the best way to show you’re actually paying attention and engaging in any situation. Of course this doesn’t mean stare blankly, but strive to hold eye contact for a few seconds at a time. • Looking at people in the eyes indicates: “I’m a force to be reckoned with” • Lack of eye contact is often times interpreted as being impolite or even dishonest • Staring is considered rude, even threatening sometimes • Darting eyes has been linked with deceit • Elongated blinking when someone’s eyelids close for more than a second is an attempt to block you from sight. It’s a sign that the person is bored of you; completely disinterested in the topic or feels superior • Most right-handed people, when thinking about something they’ve seen or are recalling, let their eyes defocus or look up and to the left. When right-handed people are creating an image/story, their eyes will look up and to the right. (These eye signals are reversed for most left-handed people.)

10. FEET • For millions of years, our feet and legs have been our primary means of locomotion and in forefront of the response “fight, flight or freeze” survival strategies. The FBI says when reading body language they read feet, hands and face in that order. We can try to control our body language, but feet don’t lie! • When you join a conversation if the other person’s feet move toward you they want to include you in the conversation if only their upper body moves and not their feet they do not wish to include you. • Our feet turn away from things we want to avoid, and point in the direction we prefer to be going. • People who are relaxed tend to take more space with their legs • When lying, most people will increase the number of times their feet move. Feet fidget, shuffle and wind around each other or around the furniture.

11. FACE • There are Six Universal Facial expressions: • JOY • SADNESS • SURPRISE • FEAR • DISGUST/ CONTEMPT • ANGER • Fake expressions are forced. Usually a genuine display of emotions comes before or with a verbal message.

12. Body Language Nonverbal Communication Problematic Actions: Be on the look-Out For: Can indicate lack of confidence May indicate you are anxious or nervous May indicate bewilderment May be interpreted as fear or anxiety May be interpreted as anger, disagreement, defensiveness, or disapproval Show disbelief and surprise Indicates resent and anger Could indicate impatience • Limp handshake: • Hand wringing: • Head scratching: • Lip biting: • Folded arms: • Eyebrow raising: • Eye narrowing: • Feet tapping:

13. HOW TO MAKE THE BEST FIRST IMPRESSION NONVERBALLY

14. Realize that you only have seven seconds to make a first impression. Research from New York University has said that in that first seven seconds of meeting each other we form our first impressions. In business, first impressions are crucial. First impressions are more heavily influenced (four times) by non-verbal cues than verbal cues. Once someone mentally labels you likable or unlikable, everything else you do will be viewed through that filter. Are you trustworthy? Are you credible? Are you competent? Luckily, these very qualities you can project, non-verbally, in those first crucial seven seconds.

15. Six powerful ways to make a positive first impression ATTITUDE – people will pick up on your attitude instantly. SMILE – a smile is an invitation, a welcome sign. It says, “I’m friendly and approachable.” MAKE EYE CONTACT – Looking at someone’s eyes transmits energy and indicates interest and openness. RAISE YOUR EYEBROWS– Open your eyes slightly more than normal; that is the nonverbal signal of recognition and acknowledgement. SHAKE HANDS – This is the quickest way to establish rapport. LEAN IN SLIGHTLY – Leaning forward shows that you’re engaged and interested.

16. REMEMBER - SOMEONE IS WATCHING AND JUDGING

17. THANK YOU CWC | January 19th, 2018 | SOX Discussion

18. Source of Material:The NONVERBAL ADVANTAGE: Secrets and Science of Body Language at Work By Carol Kinsey Goman