What do you do if your body language is failing to convey the right message at work?

1 Assess your current body language

The first step to improving your body language is to become aware of your current habits and patterns. How do you sit, stand, gesture, make eye contact, smile, nod, or use your voice? Are you consistent, congruent, and clear in your nonverbal cues? Do you adapt your body language to different situations and audiences? Do you notice how others react to your body language? You can assess your own body language by observing yourself in a mirror, recording yourself on video, asking for feedback from trusted colleagues or friends, or using apps that analyze your posture, gestures, facial expressions, or tone of voice.

3 Practice and monitor your progress

Like any skill, body language requires practice and repetition to become more natural and effective. You can practice your body language by rehearsing in front of a mirror or a camera, role-playing with a friend or a coach, or using apps that simulate real-life scenarios and give you instant feedback. You can also monitor your progress by tracking your performance, setting goals, and celebrating your achievements. You can use apps that help you measure and improve your body language over time, such as by giving you scores, badges, or rewards.

5 Adjust to different cultures

Body language is not universal, and what may be appropriate or effective in one culture may be offensive or ineffective in another. If you work with people from different cultural backgrounds, you need to be aware of and respect the differences in body language norms and expectations. You can research and learn about the body language etiquette and customs of different cultures, such as how to greet, gesture, touch, or maintain distance. You can also use apps that help you communicate and interact with people from different cultures, such as by providing translations, tips, or quizzes.

6 Be authentic and flexible

Finally, the most important thing to remember is that your body language should reflect your authentic self and your genuine emotions. You don't want to fake or force your body language, as that may come across as insincere, unnatural, or manipulative. You also don't want to rely on rigid rules or formulas, as that may limit your creativity, spontaneity, or adaptability. You want to use your body language as a tool to enhance your verbal communication, not to replace or contradict it. You also want to be flexible and responsive to the context, the audience, and the feedback you receive. You can use apps that help you express yourself and connect with others in a more authentic and flexible way, such as by providing games, challenges, or scenarios.