5 core aspects about body language for managers

Most managers don’t consider the effect that their body language has on their staff. How you stand, the gestures you use and the other non-verbal signals that you give have a profound impact on how your staff interpret what you are saying.

Speech is a fundamental aspect of communication, especially within a work environment. It ensures precision and accuracy of information.

However, non-verbal communication reflects the intent and the subtlety, and determines the reception, of your words.

Learning to control your body language will give you the ability to influence how your words are received and to prevent mis-communication.

There are five core aspects of body language which are important to remember which will set you in good stead to get the most out of your team and assist in the most effective communication. Most of these skills cannot be learned simply from attending a project management course, but with a bit of self-awareness, all of these skills can be developed.

1. Eyes

Self-confidence coaches, elocution teachers and parents constantly tell us to maintain eye contact in conversations, interviews and presentations.

What they don’t tell us is that to maintain eye contact for too long can come across as aggressive and domineering. Especially as a manager, it is an important part of your job to discern when is the best moment to maintain eye contact, and when you need to take a step back.

Learning the balance between submissive and dominating eye contact is all part of being assertive.

2. Face

Your face is the most expressive part of your body. However, it can be difficult to know what your emotions look like on your face, let alone control them.

Practice facial expressions in the mirror. Learn what it feels like when your expression is clearly negative. Try to develop a relaxed and neutral expression.

Managing other people is easiest when they see that you can manage yourself. If you let your emotions rule your face then you will demonstrate less control over yourself and the situation.

3. Posture

“Chin up, shoulders back, arms loosely by your sides!”

How often did your parents tell you not to slouch at the dinner table? Mine used to threaten to tape a wooden spoon to my spine.

It’s true, though. Research suggests that a straight-back posture not only radiates confidence and control, but also generates internal feelings of power and self-assurance.

Lifting your chin at the world will make you feel like a more capable manager, and will encourage others to treat you as such. A win-win situation.

4. Gestures

Your hands illustrate your state-of-mind. You do not always want your staff to know what you are thinking. In fact, sometimes it is the manager’s job to positively conceal actual emotions and reactions. Like a teacher or a parent, you are also an actor.

Repetitive motions such as tapping suggest boredom. This may be the case, but in certain situations you do not want your new and nervous staff member to recognise this.

Emphasising your words with the beat of your hands indicates power and authority. Useful when you want to get a point across without too much debate.

The speed of your movements also affects how people interpret you. Nodding slowly suggests attention, while nodding too quickly will suggest impatience. Stillness indicates comfort and power, while quick movements can suggest nervousness.

5. Voice

Your voice might be the vehicle for verbal communication, but the tone you use, the speed and the pitch of your voice all contribute to how your words are received.

Talking calmly and slowly in measured tones is the surest way to conveying confidence and authority. This does not mean at all that people who have speech impediments do not display confidence or have authority – rather it means that by pacing speech, by allowing silences between words, and by keeping a level tone of voice, you are able to add importance and authority to your words.

Body language is an invaluable communication tool for the manager. Instructing, motivating and relating to staff is a core part of your job, and learning to do so with non-verbal as well as verbal communication will improve your staff relations, boost your own confidence, and help turn your team into a cohesive, attentive unit.