MANA Group Fundraising Share Tips On How To Improve Your Body Language

NEW YORK - Feb. 12, 2014 - PRLog -- MANA Group Fundraising

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MANA Group Fundraising Share Tips On How To Improve Your Body Language

NEW YORK, NY, February 2014 – Body language is one of the most powerful tools we have in our control. Whether you are trying to get noticed in interviews, aiming for a promotion or are regularly talking in front of groups of people, body language is one way you can completely transform how others perceive you. Here are some tips to help ensure your body language works for you and not against you:

1. Prep with a power pose.

According to Harvard professor Amy Cuddy, two minutes of power posing--standing tall, holding your arms out or towards the sky, or standing like Superman with your hands on hips--will dramatically increase your confidence. Try it before you step into a situation where you know you'll feel nervous, insecure, or intimidated. (Just make sure no one is watching.)

2. Dial up your energy level.

Imagine you've just led a meeting. Now rate your energy level on a scale of 1-10. Most people will give themselves an 8 or 9. Unfortunately, most of the people in the room will give you a 3 or 4. What feels high energy to us can come across flat and lifeless to others. Next time, remind yourself to dial up the energy by 20 percent or so.

3. When the going gets tough, start smiling.

Frowning, grimacing, glowering, and other negative facial expressions send a signal to your brain that whatever you're doing is difficult. That causes your brain to send cortisol into your bloodstream, which raises your stress levels. Soon stress begets more stress--and pretty soon you're a hot mess. Instead, force yourself to smile. It works. Plus when you smile, that helps other people feel less stress, too. Most of us mirror the actions of others, so if you smile, other people will smile. If you nod, others will nod. And if you frown, soon others will be frowning, too.

4. Don't gesture above your shoulders.

Watch any Steve Jobs presentation. He never raises his arms above his shoulders. That should be enough of a reason for you not to, either.

5. Talk more with your hands.

The right gestures add immeasurably to your words. Think about how you talk and act when you're not "on." Then act the same way when you're in professional situations. You'll feel more confident, think more clearly, naturally punctuate certain words and phrases, and fall into a much better rhythm.

6. Use props to engage.

Body positions affect attitude. People who stand or sit with their arms crossed and heads tilted forward are naturally more resistant and defensive. So pull them out of their resistant poses. Shake hands. Ask for their business card. Offer a drink. Or if you're speaking to a group, ask questions that involve raising hands. Pass around relevant items. Find a way to get people to stand or change seats. The more people move and open up the more engaged they feel.

7. Think before you speak.

Eye contact is important, but it's hard to maintain eye contact when you have to think. Most of us look up, or down, or away and then we swing back when we've gathered our thoughts. Here's a better way. If you have to look away to think, do it before you answer. Take a pause, look thoughtful, glance away, and then return to making eye contact when you start speaking. Then your words are even more powerful because your eyes support them.

For additional information, contact a member of the MANA Group administration team at pr@managroup.org

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