Body language is a powerful tool to communicate your confidence, competence, and credibility in a salary negotiation. However, it can also reveal your nervousness, insecurity, or dishonesty if you are not careful. In this article, you will learn how to use body language to show that you are trustworthy and increase your chances of getting the salary you deserve.
Eye contact is one of the most important body language cues to show that you are trustworthy. It signals that you are attentive, interested, and respectful of the other person. However, too much eye contact can be intimidating or creepy, while too little eye contact can be seen as evasive or shifty. The ideal amount of eye contact is between 50% and 70% of the time, depending on the culture and the context. To avoid staring or looking away, use the triangle technique: look at the other person's eyes and then move your gaze to their nose or mouth, forming a triangle.
Smiling is another body language cue that can convey trustworthiness, warmth, and positivity. However, not all smiles are created equal. A genuine smile, also known as a Duchenne smile, involves the muscles around the eyes and the mouth, creating wrinkles and crow's feet. A fake smile, on the other hand, only involves the mouth, leaving the eyes cold and flat. To smile genuinely, think of something that makes you happy or amused, or use a positive affirmation. Avoid smiling too much or too little, as both can be perceived as insincere or inappropriate.
Open gestures are body language cues that show that you are confident, relaxed, and honest. They involve exposing your palms, chest, and neck, which are vulnerable areas of the body. For example, you can use open gestures to show that you are trustworthy by placing your hands on the table, leaning forward slightly, and nodding your head. Avoid closed gestures, such as crossing your arms, legs, or ankles, touching your face or hair, or hiding your hands behind your back. These gestures can indicate that you are defensive, nervous, or lying.
Mirroring is a body language technique that involves subtly mimicking the other person's posture, gestures, expressions, and tone of voice. It can create rapport, empathy, and trust between you and the other person, as it shows that you are in sync and on the same wavelength. However, mirroring should be done carefully and naturally, not blatantly or excessively. To mirror effectively, observe the other person's body language and match it with a slight delay and variation. For example, if they lean back, you can lean back after a few seconds, but not to the same degree.
Fidgeting is a body language cue that can betray your lack of trustworthiness, as it shows that you are nervous, restless, or bored. Fidgeting can include tapping your fingers, shaking your legs, playing with your pen, or checking your phone. These actions can distract the other person, make you look unprofessional, and reduce your credibility. To avoid fidgeting, practice deep breathing, focus on the other person, and use positive self-talk. You can also use a stress ball or a fidget spinner, but only if they are discreet and appropriate for the situation.
Two things that can make look trustworthy 1. Talk with eye contact 2. Smile more often 3. Do not discuss in huddle or small groups. It makes others feel insecure and adds to distrust issues
Well, keeping good, steady eye contact ?throughout your important career interactions will help immensely with your efforts to project a trustworthy image. 3. Uncross Your Arms: Keeping your posture open and inviting will make you appear more trustworthy than keeping your arms crossed.