BODY LANGUAGE FOR LEADERS AND MANAGERS – MAKE A POSSITIVE FIRST IMPRESSION:

Body language can have individual and cultural differences but one truth is universal. You're the most convincing, motivating, and charismatic when your body language reflects your best authentic self. But body language is more than a set of techniques.

Verbal and nonverbal alignment is a key to effective communication. When your body shows one thing and your words say another, people will believe what they see and not what you say.

In today's global business community there is no single right way to use body language. The key to cross-cultural communication is to develop an understanding of and a deep respect for the differences. I encourage you to put what you've learned into practice immediately and see for yourself how one small nonverbal signal can make a big impact.

In business, first impressions are crucial, and they're made faster than you think. In fact, in less than seven seconds, people will have judged your trustworthiness, competence, warmth, and confidence.

And once someone mentally labels you as likable or unlikable, powerful or submissive, trustworthy or devious, everything else you do will be viewed through that filter.

While you can't stop people from making these snap decisions because the human brain is wired this way, you can learn to make these decisions work in your favor.

First impressions are more heavily influenced by nonverbal cues than verbal cues. In fact, studies have found body language has four times the impact on the impression you make than anything you say.

#.Here are five powerful keys to making a positive first impression in a face-to-face meeting:

One, adjust your attitude. Before you go into the conference room for a team meeting or enter someone's office for a sales call, make a choice about the attitude you want to project and let your body respond. Attitudes that attract people include friendly, happy, receptive, confident, approachable, welcoming, helpful, and curious.

Two, check your posture. Do this with me now. Raise your shoulders toward your ears. Now, roll them back. Now, drop them down. Perfect. Keeping your posture erect, your shoulders back, and your head held high makes you look and feel very sure of yourself.

Three, smile. A smile is the facial expression we like the most. It's an invitation, a sign of welcome. It says, "I'm friendly and approachable." A tip here is to enter the room with a small smile and let it widen as you look at the other person.

Four, make eye contact. Looking at someone's eyes transmits energy and indicates interest and connection. By the way, most of us don't take full advantage of this nonverbal cue. To improve your eye contact, make a practice of noticing the eye color of everyone you meet. This will encourage you to extend your gaze a bit longer than usual.

Five, get in touch. Whether it's a handshake, a fist bump, or a high five, touch will help you make a lasting impression. That's because touch is the most powerful and primitive non-verbal cue. In fact, touching someone on the arm, hand, or shoulder for as little as one-fortieth of a second creates a human bond.

That's why people are twice as likely to remember you and to judge you as open and friendly if you shake their hand. When is the next time you expect to meet someone new? Plan now for how you want to use body language to make a positive impression in those first seven seconds.