Some important aspects of your own nonverbal communication
Some of your nonverbal signals are beyond your conscious control. For instance, if you’re scared your pupils will dilate. There’s nothing you can do to override that.
However, there are plenty of other nonverbal signals you can control. Here’s a list:
- Your use of eye contact: Are you making eye contact in a way that shows you’re comfortable and attentive? Or do you give too little and seem nervous or checked-out, or make too much and come off as intense or combative?
- Your resting facial expression: Does your neutral expression make you seem approachable and content, or does it unintentionally send the message that you’re bored or angry?
- Your voice volume: Do you speak at a volume that’s easy to understand, or are you too quiet or loud?
- Your voice tone: Is your voice pleasant to listen to, or does it have an odd quality to it? Does it convey confidence in what you’re saying?
- Your overall level of expressiveness: Are you able to reasonably convey your emotions, or do you come off as too blank and stiff or overly animated?
- Your overall body language: Does it make you seem friendly and selfassured, or something less useful such as timid, overeager, aloof, or aggressive?
- Your posture: Are you holding your body in a fairly confident, attractive way?
- Your use of space: Are you maintaining a distance from people that fits your relationship with them?
- Your use of touch: Are you reasonably comfortable touching people in a casual, social way? Do you shrink away when people do the same to you?
- The way you dress and groom yourself: Are you styling yourself in a way that complements your appearance? Are you making any errors that could unnecessarily put people off?