3 things to remember about body language in meetings

As a manager you may frequently be called upon to chair meetings. When team members refuse to participate, overstep boundaries or challenge your authority, leading a meeting can be a thankless task. However, learning to use your body language to influence the behaviour of others can have a profound effect on your confidence and success. Learning these skills will complement what you learn when attending a project management course.

1. Listen to others

It is vital that you set an irreproachable example. Whether you are listening to a good idea, abuse, a nervous whisper or a roundabout way of explaining what you were trying to say, you must allow participants to finish what they are saying, while using body language to demonstrate that you are listening.

Eye contact, slow nodding, stillness and ignoring distractions are all effective ways of showing attentiveness. Allowing trouble-makers to distract you gives them the upper hand and can discourage people from speaker.

This does not mean that the meeting is the right place for Daisy to tell you all about her great-aunt’s second-cousin’s little dog and the trick that it performed at the weekend. Sometimes you have to bring people to a halt, but it is your job to do so in a gentle and respectful manner, and to prevent your body-language from revealing boredom or frustration.

2. Take control

Showing others that you are in control from the off-set is an effective way of creating a productive meeting environment.

Use your posture and eye-contact to radiate self-confidence, greet people with a firm handshake, and keep your muscles relaxed to show that you are not nervous or intimidated.

Use silences. Speak in slow, measured tones and allow pauses between sentences and phrases. This demonstrates your control over the dialogue, and encourages others to listen to what you are saying.

3. Don’t yawn

Repetitive movements, like tapping or shuffling, suggest boredom. This will act as a sign to your team members that it is acceptable to stop paying attention.

Appearing bored can also be a form of aggressive: it demonstrates disinterest in what a person is saying, and so belittles them.

Avoid appearing bored or aggressive. Keep your body language open, and maintain firm but not extended eye contact. Looking away from the person who is talking can indicate boredom, but this does not mean you should transfix the speaker with your glare. Use your common sense, and remain alert and open to the person who is speaking.