Do you know that 60 to 70 percent of meaning in human communication is derived from nonverbal behavior? Here’s a manifesto to improve your body language such that you can connect with people better. :)
![10 Tips To Improve Your Body Language [Manifesto]](https://personalexcellence.co/files/manifesto-body-language.png)
(Click image for larger version)
Read the full article: Are You Keeping People Away With Your Body Language? (And 10 Tips To Improve Your Body Language)
Feel free to print it, put it on your fridge, at your work desk, or wherever you like. Check out my other manifestos in the manifestos section.
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Hi Celes,
It’s a very nice manifesto,but I think you should mention that this are generalized tips, they don’t apply to every situations and you shouldn’t always strive to behave according to them.
For example, Number 8 – “be inclusive in your actions”, can work very bad for you if you invade the personal space of others.
Another point is the significance of body language in terms of percentage – the studies made so far show inconclusive results on the importance of each factor, depending on the research set ups. So it’s unreliable to say that most of human communication is derived from that. Take for example this comment, how could I ever manage to deliver this message non verbally?
Don’t get the impression that I disagree with you ,I also believe that nonverbal communication plays a very important role in our interactions, and we should learn how to use it.
It’s just not that simple (:
Hi Sinay, the manifesto is based on and merely meant as a summary of the article (which is already linked above), so I’d imagine readers who have questions about the individual tips can read more from the article itself where I have elaborated on each tip and provided proper context behind my recommendation. :) Hopefully this clarifies your concern.
A well written note! All the ten items are very essential. But, I would like to add one important thing, which I felt is missing and is very essential. Confidence. Yes, it is not physical, but if one fails to dress his mind with confidence then no amount of external signals or actions would help. Many experts have told that the body language of a individual contribute to his/her level of confidence. However, this is an interest paid for the investment. :cool: Yes, you have to invest confidence on your body language, then you will start getting back the interest which is again in the form of confidence, thus increasing the level of ones confidence. This newly gained confidence will further improve your body language and the cycle continues.
Hey Ravish, great point! I would say #4 is linked with confidence; being comfortable in your space is tied with confidence for sure. Totally agree with you on body language and confidence being tied to each other, with great body language being the result of inner confidence.
More on confidence: https://personalexcellence.co/blog/self-confidence/
Very good article Celes! (And awesome job making it a one-pager that people can print off for quick reference too!)
I think most people have heard that communication is more about our body language than we would tend to think, but it’s still something that people don’t really pay attention to in themselves – myself included. So thanks for the reminder!
I have been fascinated with micro expressions recently too, you should check that out – I think you’d like to learn about them as well.
Keep up the good work!
~Vance
Thanks so much Vance! :) Thanks for the heads-up regarding micro expressions too – will give that a look!
It’s interesting that unless we have gone out of our way to study body language, it is hard to be aware of our own habits.. and even then it can be difficult.
An interesting thing i’ve found that as i’ve cleared up issues internally my bodylanguage has changed for the better, but it can also be the other way around, when you change your bodylanguage you can change internally. Attacking it from both angles is even better.
-Ben
This topic of body language is actually fascinating to me. I read a book about it not long ago and I really think you can make a big difference but paying attention to your body language.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Celes, Now i am looking for a eye contact to show my best body language
Thanks for this!
I’ve always acknowledged that body language is an important aspect of face-to-face communication, but I’ve never really thought twice about improving it. I’m especially guilty of #2 – covering my torso… Especially when I’m with people I don’t know too well :dance:
I remember reading in one of your older posts about your own history with body language. I find myself in this exact situation right now so thanks for sharing :hug:
And practice good posture :)
What you said, Glenn! https://personalexcellence.co/blog/good-posture/
This is great. On all the personal development websites I follow I can’t think of many that have mentioned body language. It’s such an important part of our daily life that doesn’t always get the attention it should.
I’ve had to work on two of these items in my own life. Being comfortable in my space took a while to improve. I used visualization to picture myself as being perfectly comfortable, and then let that feeling expand over me. I also had to work on keeping space in my upper torso. I have a tendency to cross my arms and I’ve had to make a conscious effort to let my arms hang down or just be more open in general.
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