Body Language Battle

Welcome to the Body Language Battle, where nonverbal cues speak louder than words.

If you want to effectively support your spoken message with the right body language, you'll first have to master three categories: posture, gestures and facial expressions. With this winning combination, you'll appear confident and impress your audience.

Let's see how well our two competitors score.

Category One: Perfect Posture!

Posture is one of the first things someone will notice about your body language. So it's important to get it right if you want to make a good first impression.

You'll want to look relaxed, but not too relaxed. Don't slouch or bury your hands in your pockets. Otherwise, you'll look lazy and disinterested. Especially if you're not facing your audience.

Putting hands on hips is a "no-no." You might come across as aggressive or angry. And folding them in front of you could make you appear defensive or bored.

Closed body language like this won't go down well with your audience.

To score highly in this category, you'll need to stand or sit up straight and face your audience.

Keep your hands loosely by your side or resting on the surface in front of you. A calm but attentive posture will show that you're not confrontational, and will make your audience feel relaxed, too.

For bonus points, tilt your head up slightly to convey confidence and receptiveness.

Open body language like this tells your audience that you're interested and approachable. Top marks!

Category Two: Grand Gestures!

Actions speak louder than words, right? So feel free to use some hand gestures to help you demonstrate your meaning.

As you speak, spread your hands apart in front of you, with your palms facing slightly toward your audience. This indicates a willingness to communicate and share ideas.

But avoid going over the top, this isn't a pantomime!

And remember that positive gestures in one culture can be negative in others, so don't make any that could cause offense.

Category Three: Fitting Facial Expressions!

Facial expressions can trigger in your audience the same emotion you're feeling yourself. [1]

A relaxed smile will put your audience at ease and help set a relaxed atmosphere. But a tense facial expression, like frowning, can unsettle your audience and create a tense atmosphere.

You won't score highly with your audience if you look grumpy!

Mastering body language doesn't need to be tricky – it just takes practice and self-awareness.

Once you perfect each category, you'll be well on your way to becoming a body language boss!

Infographic

Click on the thumbnail below to access our Body Language animated infographic: