Leadership is about inspiring and empowering those around you to do better than they thought possible. Some are born to lead while others perfect it through practice and experience. Some leaders command respect the moment they walk into a room while others spearhead an entire group with their magnetic gaze and voice.
So, what is it that makes these leaders such powerful, all-consuming forces to reckon with? Impeccable body language is a major attribute, of course. Posture, gestures, mannerisms, facial expressions, eye contact and the way an individual uses his/her personal space play a great role in making an impact as a leader. Here are the crucial non-verbal behaviors that HiCounselor has put together for every leader who wishes to improve his/her body language and shift those leadership skills to top gear.
The Power Pose
The way you pose your entire body can project you as an effective leader. Here is how you can strike the power pose: Bring your shoulders up towards your ears. Turn them back and then lower them. Maintain your shoulders back, and keep your head straight in a standing posture. This pose will make you appear confident.
Expanding your space and height is an effective non-verbal method of showing your authoritative power. Stand tall and claim your territory if you plan to lead the course of a meeting. Set your feet down on the floor and cross your legs while being seated. Take your elbows off your body and stretch your arms. Extending your body language can alter how people view your appearance. It can also affect the way you feel about yourself. Stand tall or sit straight, aligning the body's structure in a manner that expands and creates space. This gives you the appearance that you're more powerful regardless of your position within the organization. Be conscious that your feet may be too close while standing. This could make you appear uncertain or uneasy. It will look more confident and trustworthy if you broaden your stance, and then relax your knees.
Leadership Gestures
Make use of gestures to reflect your leadership. The use of hands to communicate is more convincing provided you are aware of the meaning of each gesture. Gentle, controlled movements between your shoulders and waist are a great way to enhance your presence as a leader. In order to convey warmth and confidence, turn your hands at a 45-degree angle with your palms up. This shows that you have nothing to hide. You can also show your authority by turning your hands to the side when you sign. It is a nonverbal indication to show that you are in control of the situation. It is extremely effective when you want to emphasize a point.
Listed below are the hand gestures you need to avoid as a leader:
Hidden hands:
Try not to keep your hands out of sight as it tends to convey you are not trustworthy. Since ancient times, approaching someone without showing the hands signals potential danger and this symbolism is deeply ingrained in our minds.
Finger-pointing:
It is impolite to point fingers at anyone. Many corporate executives, however, do use this gesture in meetings to show dominance. However, it is perceived by many as not an act of dominance but as a gesture of losing control over oneself.
Over-Enthusiastic gestures:
Using one’s hands to emphasize what we speak is a sign of confidence and being comfortable with oneself. However, due to a rush of adrenaline or enthusiasm, some individuals go overboard with their hands and become hyper expressive by raising the hands above the shoulder, moving around too much and animating their facial expressions to an unnatural degree. This instantly gives off the vibes that you feel inferior about yourself.
Strike the Right Balance
Sometimes leaders need to instinctively know when they need to be open and enthusiastic with the way they present themselves without making their team feel uncomfortable. For example, a powerful pose can make leaders appear more confident while doing a presentation. However, under certain circumstances as to when you're the most powerful participant in the group, being too enthusiastic could be perceived as arrogance. So, make sure you understand when to exaggerate or tone down your body language to suit the audience.
Focus on the Speaker
Though many think leaders always do the talking, effective leaders also engage in a fair share of listening to what others have to say. Be attentive to the person you're communicating with. Lean in towards the person who is talking to you. Nod in affirmation and maintain healthy eye contact. Your voice tone is another thing to take note of. Are you speaking in an authoritative, confident tone or are you simply uttering a monotonous "um"? These are all signals to the person you're talking to and will project your personality as a leader.
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