A manager's body language matters: negative non-verbal signals you should avoid

A good manager must come across as competent and confident. At the same time they must be capable of effective communication and empathy. Being a good manager, or becoming one, requires sending out the right non-verbal signals which show the people around you that you are the right person in the right place. Therefore this article will look at seven non-verbal signals a manager should not emit.

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Not keeping eye contact

As Forbes states, in non-verbal communication wandering eyes and a failure to maintain eye contact shows a lack of confidence, fear, or an attempt to hide something.

Absence of a smile

A smile indicates kindness and confidence. Someone who is smiling is usually neither fearful nor nervous. Smile at people you are talking to, and you will seem more trustworthy.

Bad posture

Someone who slouches, has a bad posture and generally tries to be as visually small as possible, comes across as lacking confidence and wanting to be somewhere else instead.

Nervous gestures

Foot tapping, hand rubbing, touching one's face: all these signals indicate a nervousness that will definitely undermine any vision you are trying to convey.

Exaggerated gestures

Exaggerated gestures have a similar effect to nervous gestures. If, for instance, you focus too much on the power of your grip when shaking someone's hand and are desperately trying to look confident, you will paradoxically come across as someone who is afraid of people seeing through them and knowing they are not what they would like to be.

Not paying attention

When showing empathy and communicating effectively, it is essential you pay attention to the person you are talking to. Devote full attention to whomever you are communicating with at any given time.

Being too close

Different situations require different distance between the parties involved in the communication. Don't try to be too close to people you have a professional relationship with: you would seem odd or even aggressive.

 

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Article source Forbes.com - prestigious American business magazine and website
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