What signals are you sending others ?

Q1: What is the role body language plays in the professional world ?

Body language is actually the science of natural human dispositions and how the mind controls the body’s reactions. If you are a strong observer some parts of the attitude and mind state can be understood by reading what the body language is telling. We think we can conceal much by words we speak but the body has a mind of its own which is more truthful than the most artful presentations made by the finest articulation. For very long people have known there is the possibility some of us possess the ability to read true intent vs presented intent. And you don’t have to be a psychologist to read that – just a great observer of people.

 Confidence for instance is nothing but a person’s comfort with who they are, what they think and what they can do. Those who believe in the theory of body language make the mistake of taking things literally like assume folded hands means defensiveness and forget that most of us today work in ac offices when temperature flux can have you freezing like in a cold storage forcing you to bring as much warmth as you can to yourself. Reading a book on body language therefore and taking every word there to the T, can be a fatal error.

 Common sense is critical in making that assessment. So firstly what we need to clear up is the corporate spaces don’t really fathom body language as it should be. However the world does respond well to good body language for instance listening to a leader who has accepted his or her legs and hands well, will show comfort in movement, in expression and will appear fluid. That apart a spontaneous thinker will show ability to smile, gesticulate at the right junctures to add punch to boring words making them great presenters. There is no doubt body language plays a pivotal role in professional spaces, actually it starts playing a rather centrifugal role as the leadership level grows

 Q2: How can a candidate outsmart his / her interviewer with his / her body language?

 I am not so sure about outsmarting, because that means there is a war of wit and intelligence. If intelligence is the area to impress then the presence of intelligence is more important than just great body language. A very small percentage of people will be shallow, phony in skills and competencies but yet master pretense and great eloquence with expressions to match. What is interesting about body language is that the more well-read you are, the more you have thought on the subject, the more your body language will naturally emit positivity. It will take a seasoned actor to fake composure on subjects that are alien or not really expertise zones.

 Humility is also a body language. It is something that is rarely spoken of and in situations when caught unawares or stumped, confession with tact and honesty beats any body language that defends, argues or shows superiority complex. However on the subject of nervousness you can outsmart interviewers. It is known that anxiety causes a person to get fidgety. The first sign of discomfort in someone after a question is asked is the movement of legs and hands or hands to face. Avoid that. Next manage your energy. Situations like interviews where you are eager worried and also in need must not appear so. Acupressure fundamentals work well at such times. Press toes into the ground through your shoes. No one can see that. If your hands are under the table - press the finger tips sideways with the thumb and the forefinger of the other hand. This will expel energy leaving you enough free space in the mind to think and react sensibly.

 Q3: What should body language be like at workplace?

 There is no cut and dry model or framework of how body language should be. You have short people who walk very fast to get to the same place a tall person takes smaller slower steps to get so does that mean they are nervous and upset all the time ? Body language is not to be understood as a stand -alone that is a one size fits all. A person who narrows their eyes to look at you and others may not be a skeptic with an attitude problem - it would very well be undiagnosed glaucoma. Reading body language has to be mapped to what people say, how they say it, when they say and most importantly what do they do. It is only when the whole picture of the end to end spectrum of human behavior is understood that you can safely read someone’s body language for what it really is else you will make the colossal blunder of seeing a crossed leg and reading that as arrogance when it is just plain habit.

 What is good body language at workplace however is about being appropriate in all surroundings at all times. Not being too loud in voice, not being superfluous on gestures and expressions and also being considerate of others in the acceptance of what may be usual for you. For instance, you hug and pat to welcome people in the west but having stayed there for 20 days you can’t come back to India to hug and pat everyone you meet. The body language also has appropriate place and time for application. Shrugging is widely accepted in the west where not knowing something is very acceptable and considered being frank whereas in India shrugging is associated with not being interested or being irresponsible. Know your environment, watch what you do and don’t do, collect feedback from people who know you on what messages and signals you give others, what you look like when you listen, are upset , are hiding something.  Close family and friends will give you best inputs - lastly whatever it is you do and don’t ask yourself would you like to meet and work someone like that. Where improvement is sought find a role model who has strength in that area, watch them, be guided by them. Practice!

 Q4: How much of a role does body language play while picking a candidate during an interview?

 Lots actually, but it also depends on what you are hiring for. having spent over a decade in staffing i can safely say for people Leadership roles as Managers, Directors, Supervisors etc body language is critical. If you can’t impress your interviewer in creating a sense of trust, credibility and strength of character how will you lead people ? In spaces like sales, branding, business development, communications, HR, body language can be make or break element especially when you are selecting between two candidates of the same profile, experience and credentials. So if it’s a question of choosing between equals the only differentiator is how you felt with each. Whoever exudes confidence, comfort, clarity, composure will be the natural selection. however in subject matter expert roles, functional skill jobs, niche skill role, body language is not so key. History of experience, patents, projects and intellectual property declarations by that individual become differentiating factor.

 Q5: What are the worst body language mistakes in the professional world?

 Habits that go unchecked like fluttering eyes, knuckle cracking, scratching scalp, excessive nodding, shaking legs vigorously on seats - these are the widely and commonly disliked. From a body language perspective am listing a few that can leave a bad note for others . Smiling strangely at inappropriate moments - could mean i know more, you are in trouble, i am dangerous. Eye locking for very long across decision tables - could mean i dare you, i won’t back off, my way or the highway. Sitting with your chair placed lower than the table height away from the table and leaning back with one leg resting on the other is often seen as sign of the rebel, the trouble maker, not engaged. pointing fingers while talking - could mean i know it all and you listen, i am above, i don’t respect you. Not holding the gaze in a hand shake or a hug carrying a honest smile - could mean this is being done for formality, i care two hoots, when will this be over, next !!! Authenticity is very important. don’t do anything you don’t believe in or don’t like. Others will read it even as you try to hide it

 Q6: To what extent does body language affect workplace morale?

 A great deal. If the body language of a leader is poor for instance, that is enough to dispel everyone’s faith and motivation. If after bad news a manager sighs too often, shakes her/his head too often, wont smile, scowls, is sending signals of impending doom. Attrition often occurs due to managers and leaders who are poor in creating an exciting environment. Same work can be experienced differently by teams depending on who leads it. A sleepy manager who appears tired and in constant sleep deficit will instantly trigger a slow day for all, even leading to poor agility, innovation, ideas and overall gusto. A cold team member can create a barricade in their work space thus making that whole area taboo zone. It will restrict movement, conversation and general camaraderie too. There is no question of whether body language affects workplace morale. IT DOES.