Body language

Major areas of nonverbal

behaviors are:
Eye contact

Facial expressions

Gestures
 Posture and body orientation

Proximity

Para linguistics
EYE CONTACT
EYE CONTACT

Good eye contact helps the audience

develop the interest in the speaker.

Eye-contact helps regulate the flow of

communication and reflects interest in
others.
EYE CONTACT
Direct eye-contact conveys interest,
warmth, credibility and concern.

Shifty eyes suggest dishonesty.

Downward gaze may be a sign of

submissiveness or inferiority
FACIAL EXPRESSIONS
FACIAL EXPRESSIONS

There are six categories of facial

expressions:
Happiness
Sadness
Anger
Disgust
Surprise
Fear
FACIAL EXPRESSIONS

HAPPINESS

Whoever is happy will make others happy

too.
-Mark Twain
FACIAL EXPRESSIONS
SADNESS

Sadness dulls the heart more than the

grossest sin
-Author Unknown
FACIAL EXPRESSIONS

ANGER

Anger is one letter short of danger

-Unknown
FACIAL EXPRESSIONS

DISGUST

A disgusting expression on the face is

considered negative and should be
avoided in formal gatherings.
FACIAL EXPRESSIONS

SURPRISE

The eye-brows and the eyes are most

affected in an expression of surprise.
FACIAL EXPRESSIONS

FEAR

There is nothing to fear, but fear itself

GESTURES

Gestures communicate as effectively as

words, sometimes even better.

Gestures support the verbal

communication.

They sometimes detract from what you

say.
GESTURES

Some negative gestures which should

be avoided:
Pointing at people- is perceived as
accusatory.
Fiddling with your items- gives the
impression that you are nervous.
Dragging the feet- implies lethargy.
Head Down- suggests timidity.
GESTURES

Drooping shoulders- implies weariness

and lethargy.
Weak handshake- implies meek and
ineffectual personality.
Shifty eyes- suggests nervousness.
Arms crossed on the chest- is a
defensive gesture.
Shaking feet or legs- shows indifference
and disinterest.
Avoid these hand gestures
Use these hand gestures
POSTURE AND BODY
ORIENTATION
POSTURE

Body posture can be open or closed.

Interested people pay attention and lean

forward.

Leaning backwards demonstrates

aloofness or rejection.
POSTURE

A head held straight up signals a

neutral attitude.

A head down is negative and judgmental.

POSTURE
Some negative postures should be
avoided:
Rigid Body Posture-Anxious/ Uptight

Hunched Shoulders Lacks interest/

Feeling inferior

Crossed Arms-Protecting the body/

Negative Thoughts
What impression do the
following people give you?
What impression do the
following people give you?
PARALINGUISTICS

Components of Para linguistics are:

Rate of speed- When a speaker
speaks fast, he is seen as more
competent.

Pitch- It should be changed in

accordance with the context of
spoken words.
PARALINGUISTICS
Volume- It refers to how loudly we
speak.
Loud people are perceived as
aggressive or over-bearing.
Soft-spoken voices are perceived as
timid or polite.
Fillers- Words like umhh ah
aaa are used to gather thoughts.
Aggressive People
Body language

Stiff and straight

Points, bangs tables to emphasize points
Folds arms across body

Verbal language
I want you to
Do what I tell you!
Youre stupid!

Aggressive people are basically insecure.. try to avoid

them
Submissive people
Body Language

Avoids eye contact

Stooped posture
Speaks quietly
Fidgets

Verbal Language
Im sorry
Its all my fault
Oh dear

Submissive people have a great sense of inferiority

Assertive People
Body language

Stands straight
Appears composed
Smiles
Maintains eye contact

Verbal language

Lets
How shall we do this?
I think What do you think?
I would like