Enhancing workforce confidence and communication • 2 min read
Research from the Society for Human Resource Management stated that "while most people are hired for their technical abilities, their soft skills (like listening and communication) give them career durability."
Makes sense when a whopping 85% of what we know, we’ve actually learned through listening.
Introduction
Body language plays a pivotal role in shaping how your employees are perceived in the workplace. From team meetings to client pitches, non-verbal cues can significantly influence outcomes.
Here, we outline key methods your workforce can use to adopt positive body language, helping them project confidence and professionalism while building stronger connections.
Promote confident posture
Encourage your employees to maintain an upright posture, even during long hours at their desks. Slouching can convey weakness or a lack of motivation.
Simple tips:
Sit back in the chair with their spine supported against the chair back.
Keep their shoulders relaxed but upright to project confidence and attentiveness.
Minimise fidgeting
Excessive fidgeting—such as tapping, doodling, or playing with objects—can distract others and suggest a lack of engagement.
Guide your workforce to focus their energy on:
Maintaining steady eye contact.
Keeping their hands relaxed and visible during discussions.
Avoid crossed arms
Crossed arms may feel natural but can signal defensiveness or disinterest.
Encourage employees to:
Turn their torso toward the speaker during group interactions.
Keep their arms open to convey attentiveness and inclusion.
Encourage consistent eye contact
A lack of eye contact can indicate insecurity or disinterest, while steady eye contact conveys trust and presence.
Best practices:
Teach employees to greet colleagues and clients with a smile, maintaining eye contact.
Discourage distractions such as glancing at phones during interactions.
Master the handshake
A firm handshake can boost perceptions of confidence and openness, influencing negotiation outcomes.
Key pointers:
A firm but not overly tight grip.
Maintain eye contact during the handshake.
Keep the gesture short, with two or three shakes.
Promote purposeful gestures
Gestures can reinforce communication, making presentations and discussions more engaging.
Suggestions for effective gestures:
Use hands to emphasise key points or reference objects.
Avoid over-gesturing, which can be distracting.
Key takeaways
Confident posture projects self-assurance and attentiveness. Encourage employees to sit tall and face their audience directly.
Eye contact builds trust—remind your workforce to be present, smile, and connect with their eyes during conversations.
Purposeful gestures enhance communication, animating narratives and helping employees convey their ideas persuasively.
Think big, act small
Body language can transform how your employees are perceived, influencing trust, collaboration, and credibility. Encourage your workforce to start small by focusing on one area where they can enhance self-awareness and adopt positive habits.
With practice, these changes will help your people build confidence, earn respect, and forge stronger connections with colleagues and clients.
Content sources
Forbes Magazine, Raazi Imam, ‘The Power of Body Language in the Workplace’
Harvard Business Review, Charalombos Vlachoutsicos, ‘Your Body Language Speaks for You in Meetings’
Harvard Business Review, Nicole Torres, ‘When You Pitch an Idea, Gestures Matter More Than Words’
Psychology Today, Susan Krauss Whitbourne Ph.D. ‘5 Ways Our Body Language Speaks Loud and Clear’
Scienceofpeople.com, Body Language In The Workplace: 15 Cues You Must Know
Time Magazine, Sophia Gottfried, ‘The Body Language Mistakes You Don't Realize You're Making at Work’
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