Body Language

noun; the conscious and unconscious movements and postures by which attitudes and feelings are communicated.

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Body language is a significant aspect of modern communications and relationships. It is therefore very relevant to management and leadership, and to all aspects of work and business where communications can be seen and physically observed among people. Body language is also very relevant to relationships outside of work, for example in dating and mating, and in families and parenting. Communication includes listening. In terms of observable body language, nonverbal (non-spoken) signals are being exchanged whether these signals are accompanied by spoken words or not.

It has been suggested that body language may account for between 50 to 70 percent of all communication. Understanding body language is important, but it is also essential to pay attention to other cues such as context. In many cases, you should look at signals as a group rather than focusing on a single action.

Here are some of the things to look for when you are trying to interpret body language:

Facial Expressions

Think for a moment about how much a person is able to convey with just a facial expression. A smile can indicate approval or happiness. A frown can signal disapproval or unhappiness. In some cases, our facial expressions may reveal our true feelings about a particular situation. While you say that you are feeling fine, the look on your face may tell people otherwise.

The expression on a person’s face can even help determine if we trust or believe what the individual is saying. One study found that the most trustworthy facial expression involved a slight raise of the eyebrows and a slight smile. This expression, the researchers suggested, conveys both friendliness and confidence.