Help! Body Language Emergency

Did you know that non-verbal communication accounts for 80% of how people perceive you? While the remaining 20% are the words you use, the overwhelming importance of non-verbal communication (including vocal tone and body language) is clear.

Yes my friends, that sigh or dismissive eye-roll in a staff meeting could be costing you big time in the promotability department.

Here are a few 5 quick tips to improve your body language and as a result, improve your personal and professional relationships.

1. Practice the Zen of Movement
In "Go Wild-Survival Skills for Business and Life", I refer to this as the "Power of the Pause". Every time you have movement, you create distraction for the listener. You've all seen women in horror movies. Their running through the woods! What happens to them? They fall, they trip, okay sometimes they lose their clothes and on the Discovery channel they certainly get eaten! A running animal is a vulnerable animal. Think of that colleague running around the office like a road-runner. Do they look calm and confident in a crisis? Conserve your energy and recognize that people who speak slower and wait two to three seconds before responding are considered much more credible. Also before jumping into action, experience stillness, centering and the incredible "Power of the Pause"

2. Lean Forward
Did you know that people who lean forward two to 3 inches are considered much more credible? That's why if someone interviews with me and leans back in the chair, I simply won't hire them. A forward lean show attention and actually improves listening. Not closer than that or you may appear aggressive.

3. Smile
This is another key non-verbal expression I also look for when interviewing since I follow the best practice of "Hiring for Attitude and Training for Skill". Here's my rule: if during a 30 minute interview you don't smile 15 times I won't hire you. This may sounds harsh but wait a minute, if you can't fake it when you want the job????? what's going to happen when things go terribly wrong?

4. Heads UP!
A good posture makes you taller in many ways. Imagine there is a puppeteer pulling your head up straight. Or imagine you're a Top! Also avoid leaning on one leg or another. Your feet should be firmly planted so you do not give the appearance of being "off balance"

5. Avoid the Noise.
Noise is those distracting non-verbals that compete with and can destroy your message (hair twirling, checking your cell phone or blackberry as a cool multi-taskerPsst...You're not! Clicking of pens, gum chewing, pushing up glasses...the list is endless.) Again, think the Zen of movement and avoid distracting the listener's eyes with unnecessary motion.

Rosemary Rein, PhD, is an Author, Professional Speaker & Training Consultant. She lectures internationally and hosts leadership, personal and corporate retreats in tropical Costa Rica. For information on bringing a body language & communication boot camp training seminar to your organization,

write Rosemary@gowildgogreat.com or

visit her website - http://www.gowildgogreat.com

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