SHAPE YOUR IMAGE

Working on your body language and everyday grooming can make a huge difference to your personal and professional life.

- By Kalwyna Rathod

There's nothing superficial about refining your body language and grooming yourself well - these actually help you build credibility out in the real world. As New Delhi-based image coach and founder of Poised Presence Ruchi Raj, says, "Mastering this language isn't vanity, it's strategy."

Harvard behavioural studies show that people form impressions primarily based on two subconscious dimensions: warmth (can I trust you?) and competence (can I respect you?). "What's fascinating is that your nonverbal cues determine most of this judgement, and they do it in seconds," Ruchi points out. “Your grooming and body language, together, become the 'silent language' that precedes everything you say or do.”

The Unspoken Influence

Ruchi suggests micro-gestures that you can master to build trust.

• Palm-Up Gestures: Showing your palm briefly while offering something or explaining a point makes you look open, honest, and easy to trust.

• The Nod-Pause: Nod once to acknowledge, pause 0.5 seconds, then respond. This feels like active listening and signals considered answers. This is subtle, but triggers warmth judgements quickly.

• Open Postures: Open chest, shoulders back, and a slight lengthening of the spine communicates presence.

Controlled Micro-Movements: Less Is More