How can you use nonverbal communication to convey confidence and credibility in your personal brand?

This is an issue I have dealt with my whole life. I have a naturally serious face, and I have to sometimes make a concerted effort to smile so that I don't look "upset" when I am merely thinking. Other non verbal cues are very important as well. Posture speaks volumes - both in person and on camera. On a zoom call, make sure that your face and upper body are framed in the middle of the screen, not shrinking into the background. A firm handshake sends a message as well. The "dead fish" handshake is not an ideal message to send. Last but not least - eye contact. Make eye contact with whomever you are speaking with in a one to one. If you are speaking to a group, select a person from time to time to make eye contact with directly.

My Fav, FALL & RISE story! Imagine this: you're walking across a stage, walking across a large audience and you trip! Your ankle twists, and you fall off. You haven't even said a word yet, your heart is pounding in your chest. Terrifying, right? But now, imagine this: you rise up from the floor, stand tall, and take a deep breath. You look right into the eyes of the audience and give them a smile. You feel confident and credible. Why am I telling you this? Because, the way you carry yourself tells a great deal about your confidence and credibility. People wont remember the FALL, they will remember the RISE!

You could provide some examples of how different types of nonverbal communication can convey different meanings or messages, such as smiling to show happiness or approval, nodding to show agreement or understanding, crossing your arms to show defensiveness or resistance, or raising your eyebrows to show surprise or curiosity.

Non verbal communication accounts for 55% of how we communicate. You can’t underestimate it. Focus on improving it by paying extra attention to what you do when talking. Pro tip for doing this: record yourself speaking. Listen back to it with the sound muted. You’ll pick up on all of the non verbal signals you’re sending out.

Nonverbal cues often speak louder than words. By mastering our body language, tone, and demeanor, we not only enhance our message but also bolster our personal brand's authenticity and credibility. It's the unspoken language that often tells the real story.

Some great tips here. We often think about tone when we speak, but speed is important as well. Speaking too slowly comes across as not engaging, and speaking too quickly comes across as nervous. Avoid the excessive use of filler words such as "like", "umm" and "uh". Make sure that your body language exudes confidence - good posture, eye contact, arms are not crossed. You want to be confident and approachable.

Use your arms strategically to display confidence and enthusiasm. I suggest trying it and videotaping yourself, especially before a presentation or important event. Keep your arms up ( elbows bent) to keep focus on your face when speaking. Practice and it becomes natural. Body language is real!

Energy is one of the biggest nonverbal signals we often overlook. It's especially evident on Zoom meetings where people are seated (low energy position) and using less than the energy they use in person. On camera you actually need to bring more energy because the camera takes away a big chunk of it. Getting energized before a call is a great way to replace some of that natural energy loss.

Here are some key strategies: Maintain Good Posture: Good posture not only conveys confidence but also exudes professionalism. Eye Contact: Maintain appropriate eye contact during conversations. It shows that you are attentive and confident. Gestures: Use purposeful and controlled gestures. Excessive or erratic movements can be distracting and undermine your credibility. Facial Expressions: Be aware of your facial expressions. Voice Tone and Volume: Speak clearly and with a steady tone. Pacing and Speed: Speak at a comfortable pace, and avoid speaking too quickly, as this can indicate nervousness. Active Listening: Demonstrate that you're actively listening by nodding, making affirming sounds, and asking relevant questions.

Something to consider is that cultures can teach us to decode the meaning of nonverbal communication differently. The same gesture can mean different things for different cultures. And direct eye contact can be received as confidence for some cultures, while in other cultures avoiding eye contact can be a sign of respect for authority or status. So, these tips in this article are great for a culture like the USA, but keep in mind that they may not translate as confidence across all cultures. Always consider your audience when planning your communication (verbal and nonverbal).

Project credibility through nonverbal cues by maintaining steady eye contact, demonstrating active listening, using open and confident body language, and dressing professionally. Your demeanor speaks volumes!

Observing your audience and listening intentionally will make sure you’re not ‘off’ in terms of your body language. By being present in the conversation and using your voice as well as gestures, you can portray your authenticity and enable people to trust what you’re saying.

If verbal communication is the text in an ad, then non-verbal communication is the ad's design. A vibrant color might grab attention, while a particular image can evoke emotion, much like a smile or frown in a conversation. In performance marketing, where the goal is often to drive a specific action (like a click or a purchase), these non-verbal cues act as a silent call-to-action (CTA). They set the tone and guide the viewer's response.

As humans, we naturally observe people's reactions that are visible through their nonverbal communication. The easiest way to be credible is to let people have an insight into your mind by not trying to "hide" or "control" your nonverbal communication and thus appear impossible to decipher. The rest, about how to improve how we come across or connect with others, comes later. If you feel you are appearing too closed or distant, it's best to try and reason out with yourself or your counterpart rather than putting on an appearance of something entirely different. Because when your words and your body language don't match, that's where trouble begins!

Adapting nonverbal communication to various situations is essential. Observe and adjust your body language, tone, gestures, and attire to match the context and audience. Stay flexible and aware of cultural norms and individual preferences for effective communication.

The ‘rules’ of proper body language and non-verbal communication should be taken as best practices that need to be adapted for various use cases. One should tailor and personalize these best practices according to the circumstance and context.

The best to improve your non-verbal communication is by practicing what you observe. Without practical implications of the same, it is difficult to learn. But remember to start small.

Sound travels in all directions, so in a room of audience, everyone hears it. Not so with nonverbal communication. The eye contact is a powerful example and when used properly, will accentuate your message. When you speak to a group of people, hold your eye contact with a particular listener until you finish that point. Then move on to another person, making sure you have a chance to make eye contact earnestly with each member. This applies to small groups but with a sizeable audience, the principle holds for keeping that eye contact with a particular person until the point is delivered. Don't let your eyes roam around as you speak, that dilutes the strength of your message.

Non-verbal communication skills are the secret sauce to gaining influence, but sometimes they go unnoticed. The ingredients of the secret sauce are: Facial expressions and body language. To practice cooking up the best non-verbal communication has to offer, try the following: Be Aware: Are you usually cheerful or more subdued, energetic or calm? Ask a friend or look in the mirror. Switch things up: Experiment taking on different personas! Be intentional in how you communicate. Use Tech Tools: Use video and sound to practice your non-verbal skills. Record a TikTok everyday and save them in your drafts (unless you're feeling brave enough to post). Practice! The more you practice, the better you get!

Here is a handy trick for improving your nonverbal communication: Make a video of yourself while speaking. Play it with sound and then without sound. Assess how you've used hand gestures, eye contact, upper body movements and space. See if your words integrate with your non-verbal cues. Identify problem areas and fix.

Seek for connection, not conversion. And make it a lifestyle change. Everyone you encounter is an audience, and it trains you to be equipped to communicate with different people and personalities. As you learn to observe your social spaces, take notice of the different ways you communicate with them nonverbally - and reflect on their reactions. Nonverbal skills can also be a great tool when you're disagreeing or are uncomfortable with something and prefer not to say it vocally. This can be helpful if you have a hard time saying no as it gives the other person a cue of how you're feeling at the moment. Especially if verbal communication is something you know you need to improve on.

Nonverbal communication is not one-size-fits-all. It can vary depending on cultural and situational contexts. Being aware of these cues and adjusting them accordingly will help you convey confidence and credibility effectively in your personal brand.

A lot of times we assume that we need to be aware of the generic or overall nonverbal communication of others. Having worked with leaders, I know that through their experience, they usually are aware of the overall state of mind of others that is visible through their nonverbals. The key really is to focus on moments during the conversation when changes are visible. For example if at a point someone opens up a bit more or suddenly swings away, that can give a real insight into what their thoughts or feelings are at that moment and we can adapt accordingly. The same applies to ourselves - catching the moments of change is crucial.