You're meeting a new business partner. How can you adjust your body language to build trust and rapport?

What's behind the eyes, the gestures, the body language? —Mindset. If the approach is genuinely kind, it will be felt. Typically, with an friendly, open mind, things should go smoothly. Connect with the intention of becoming good colleagues. Should the energy not be as anticipated, step back and self-regulate; don't take it personally. They may be stressed out, received bad news, or maybe neurodivergent, introverted, and so on... Bank on the probability that more often than not, if there's a cold front, it usually is about them and the complexity of one's life’s experiences? Provide a safe space, give permission for humanness, and continue to build belonging. Instead of killing them with kindness, envelop them with empathy.

To build trust and rapport with a new business partner through body language, consider the following strategies: Maintain Eye Contact: Steady eye contact demonstrates interest and sincerity. Aim for 7-10 seconds of eye contact during conversations to foster connection without appearing aggressive. Adopt Open Posture: Keep your posture relaxed yet attentive. Avoid crossing your arms, as this can signal defensiveness. Instead, keep your arms open and lean slightly forward to show engagement. Smile Genuinely: A warm, genuine smile can create a positive atmosphere and make your partner feel at ease. Ensure your smile is sincere, as people can easily detect fake smiles.

Effective use of eye contact is crucial in my communication style as it allows me to convey passion and dedication clearly. Research shows that eye contact signals engagement and sincerity, enhancing trust and rapport in conversations. I follow a balanced approach: maintaining eye contact when expressing strong opinions to underscore conviction, then intermittently breaking gaze to prevent discomfort and ensure a natural flow of interaction. This method aligns with social psychology theories, which emphasize eye contact as a non-verbal cue for attentiveness and credibility. By strategically using eye contact, I aim to strengthen connections and effectively convey my thoughts in professional settings.

Eye contact brings about a lot of confidence, honesty, trust and reliability. Having eye contact, does not mean staring, look away for a while but each time come back and focus on the others eyes. It a thumb rule for life!

How you are sitting / standing counts. Having a closed body language also shows a closed mindset or disagreement or unfriendliness. Instead keeping your hands away from the body, use hand movements while talking, keeping your hands in a steeple position. They all count in the way your new business partner will perceive you.

Maintaining a confident posture is essential for me in conveying professionalism and assertiveness in my interactions. Posture not only reflects self-assurance but also influences how others perceive confidence and authority. According to body language studies, adopting an open and upright posture can project leadership qualities and increase perceived competence. I consciously strive to stand or sit upright, with shoulders back and relaxed, to convey readiness and attentiveness in meetings and discussions. This approach not only enhances my professional image but also contributes to building trust and rapport with colleagues and business partners.

Mirroring movements is a subtle yet powerful way to build rapport and establish a connection with others. When I engage in mirroring, I naturally synchronize my gestures, posture, and even facial expressions with those of the person I'm interacting with. This mirroring behavior is rooted in neuroscience, where it's observed that mimicry fosters empathy and a sense of connection by signaling similarity and mutual understanding. By mirroring someone's movements, whether it's leaning in when they do or matching their gestures, I aim to create a comfortable and harmonious interaction. This non-verbal communication technique helps bridge gaps and enhances mutual understanding, making conversations more effective and relationships stronger.

Mr. Obama is a great example of mirroring. Watching his old interviews, public speeches will make you realise of how he has been building rapport while mirroring another's body language. Reflect back gestures dont make it too obvious and make them feel uncomfortable. its not mimicry, its mirroring. Small, subtle movement.

Hand gestures are a crucial aspect of non-verbal communication, enhancing clarity and emphasis in conversations. I use hand gestures to complement my spoken words, emphasizing key points or ideas. For instance, I often employ open palm gestures to signal openness and honesty, or use pointing gestures to direct attention to specific details. Research suggests that hand gestures can aid in memory retention and comprehension, as they reinforce verbal messages and add visual cues. By incorporating appropriate hand gestures, I enhance engagement and ensure my communication is impactful and well-understood, fostering effective dialogue and connection.

Hand Shakes are extremely important apart from the gestures. Your handshake could speak a lot about you as a person. It transfers trust, warmth, honesty and knowing how to shake hands correctly could take you places in life!

Our face gives away a lot of what we are thinking and feeling. Its important to be mindful of what we are feeling in order to control whats being expressed.

I find that using facial expressions helps me to express empathy, enthusiasm, or concern, depending on the context of the conversation. For example, I use a warm smile to convey friendliness and approachability when meeting someone new or discussing positive outcomes. On the other hand, a furrowed brow or a thoughtful gaze indicates deep concentration or contemplation during discussions of complex topics. Research indicates that facial expressions are universally understood across cultures, making them a powerful tool for building rapport and conveying sincerity. By using facial expressions effectively, I ensure that my non-verbal cues align with my verbal messages, enhancing mutual understanding and effective communication.