How can you use body language to convey approachability as a leader?

The first and most important aspect of understanding how to employ effective, engaging body language is to understand how you reflect on people. You must be self-aware, and that's where feedback comes in. A few months after joining Target corporation after 33 years in the US Army, I received great feedback on how my body language was at times disengaging: folded arms; hands on hips; stern demeanor; pointing at the person I was talking to; not maintaining eye contact; standing at an angle when talking to someone. All mannerisms I was unaware of but grateful to get feedback on. So, one must first understand how you reflect on people to engage effectively, and that requires feedback, and then doing something with it.

As someone who is ALWAYS smiling yet not wanting to be told "you should smile more" if I'm ever caught in my own world or focusing or whatever it may be I MUST say that a smile as long as it's genuine goes a long way. Learn to change your state of mind as it all starts with your inner self and be at peace so that it can flow to your physical. A "hi", "bye", "have a good day" goes a long way. Keep eye contact with whomever you're speaking to and make sure you're facing them.

As someone who would say they don't smile naturally, it begins with relationship building. Once rapport is established, and you build a genuine care for one another, the smile will shine without intention or thought. You will have no worry about seeming manipulative or insincere. A genuine smile is therefore formed through honest delight to see and help someone else no matter what it may be. When people feel you are authentic and honest about your care for them, they will approach more easily. The genuine smile helps solidify that emotion.

When interrupted mid-task by someone needing help with something make sure to physically acknowledge them in a friendly way when explaining you need a moment to finish your task. A genuine smile is a big part of this. Even if you are just really focused on your task not appearing receptive to their needs will hurt your approachability. Something I've been working on personally.

While smiling is a way to make your audience feel at ease when it is genuine, it can also come across as insincere if the rest of your body does not match. Focus on your emotional state and ensure it matches the body language and tone of how you are communicating with your audience. Delight or happiness generates the most authentic and genuine smile.

When speaking to more than one person - A helpful tip is to switch eye contact between the individuals within the group. This has helped me a lot when addressing my team and making sure that the entire team feels like the message is for them, in addition to gauging for engagement during your speech.

Eye contact can be one of the most powerful elements of body language, however, you must be actively listening to your audience. Otherwise, eye contact doesn't mean that you or your audience are actively engaged or invested in the conversation.

Maintaining eye contact is crucial as it shows attentiveness and respect for the person speaking. It demonstrates that you are fully engaged in the conversation and interested in what they have to say. However, it's important to balance this; constant, unbroken eye contact can be intimidating, so it's good to occasionally shift your gaze. This makes your eye contact feel more natural and less intense.

In addition to maintaining eye contact, consider it as a powerful tool to convey authenticity in your leadership. It goes beyond just showing attentiveness; it establishes a genuine connection with others. Eye contact communicates confidence, respect, and honesty, fostering a sense of trust and rapport. Striking the right balance is crucial—neither too intense nor too fleeting. By adopting a moderate and natural approach, you not only strengthen your leadership presence but also create an environment where open communication and mutual understanding thrive. Remember, the eyes can articulate what words may not, making eye contact a cornerstone of effective leadership communication.

Position yourself to face the person you are engaging with. Ensure your phone, laptop and any other device will not be disruptive and if the sound needs to stay on, do not respond to every alert as this gives an impression that you do not value the interaction. Avoid fidgeting. Read the room to make sure your responses are aligned and not turning the person away or invalidating their communication.

Incorporating open gestures into your leadership style not only speaks volumes about your approachability but also serves as a language of inclusivity and enthusiasm. Open gestures, such as palm-up movements and wide gestures, invite collaboration, emphasize points, and create an atmosphere of openness. It's like a silent invitation for others to join in and contribute to the conversation.

Along with using open gestures, one important tip is to have a really good use and understanding of you tonality. Because a slight difference in the way you speak can make you appear arrogant rather than confident

A good tip here is to pay attention to your shoulders. They are a great indication of your tension levels. The more they lift up, the more you need to take a moment and let them drop.

Being human and imperfect as a leader fosters approachability. It shows authenticity and relatability, making others feel comfortable. Acknowledging flaws creates a safe space for open communication and growth. Leaders who embrace vulnerability inspire trust and empathy, fostering stronger connections with their team. Admitting imperfection humanizes leadership, encouraging collaboration and understanding amidst challenges, ultimately leading to more effective and inclusive leadership.

While eye contact is important, it's essential to avoid staring. Staring can make people feel uncomfortable or under scrutiny. Moving your eyes naturally during the conversation, perhaps occasionally looking away thoughtfully, can make the interaction more comfortable and less confrontational.

Being a leader in your organization, it is natural that Most employees will have a perception that you may be difficult to approach or that you're pressed for time. Make sure to stay present with the person speaking to you the entire time - this means no checking of cell phone for messages / emails, clicking back on to your computer screen or constantly checking for time. If you're able to keep basic etiquettes like this, you're more likely to create the image as a empathetic and approachable leader so your subordinates don't hesitate to speak to you.

The key to body language is that you must focus on all the mechanics, not simply one or two. For example, over-emphasis on eye contact and gestures can draw your attention away from other powerful factors such as posture, positioning, and facial expressions (micro expressions). These must be taken into account along with verbal delivery as if the two (verbal and non-verbal) are not aligned, it can send the wrong signals to your audience. The best way to get better at managing all aspects of communication (verbal and non-verbal) is through practice.

A linguagem corporal é fundamental na lideran?a. Mais impactante que palavras, ela deve ser autêntica e verdadeira. N?o controlamos totalmente nossa comunica??o n?o verbal, mas devemos estar conscientes dela. Reconhecer como reagimos sob estresse é crucial, pois nessas situa??es, o controle sobre a linguagem corporal é limitado. Líderes eficazes alinham sua linguagem corporal às suas palavras, transmitindo confian?a e acessibilidade. Uma postura aberta, contato visual, e express?es faciais congruentes com a mensagem verbal refor?am a credibilidade e facilitam uma comunica??o eficaz.