BODY language is a form of communication that uses movements or gestures instead of, or in addition to, verbal language.

Even your most subtle movements, including winking and raising of eyebrows, are considered part of your body language.

Do you know that you are capable of making thousands of facial expressions?

Knowing that you can communicate your innermost feelings with your body language, you should use it to work successfully with others.

Hidden signals

Although you may not be aware of it, you constantly send and receive non-verbal signals.

These signals tend to indicate what a person is truly feeling.

Most people are capable of interpreting this language, so it is wise to pay attention to what you are saying via your physical demeanour, even during the briefest of encounters.

For example, if you are being interviewed for a job, your interviewer will pay close attention to the way you enter the room, the way you sit during the interview and what you do with your hands.

Some employers even train their interviewers to mirror a person's body language for the purpose of putting them at ease. This gives them the sense that they are being understood.

Total control

If you want to make a good first impression when you meet someone, you must learn to control your body language.

Saying the right things, both verbally and physically, will go a long way towards establishing a solid foundation for a healthy relationship.

There are a number of things you can do to emit a positive feeling.

Making direct eye contact is a great way to show the person you are meeting that you are sincere and confident.

Two other highly desired traits are the handshake and a warm smile.

The handshake is the focal point of the greeting ritual, and it often determines the comfort level and success of the entire meeting.

Start with direct eye contact, then initiate the handshake. This demonstrates confidence, professionalism and gracious behaviour.

Meet the person's grip palm to palm. The shake should not be bone-crushing or limp (the kind of handshake that only includes half the hand).

If you suffer from sweaty palms, blot your hand in advance.

A warm smile invites conversation and openness. The key to the smile is sincerity because people can read a fake smile. When you want to show you are interested and listening, smile and nod your head.

Keep your hands away from your face when you speak because this gives the impression that you are unsure or lying.

Maintaining a good posture shows alertness and a sense of excitement that makes you appear vibrant and full of life.

Keeping your hands open towards the person with whom you are talking demonstrates a willingness to open yourself to him.

In contrast, closed hands or hands in your pockets tell him that you need to shelter or protect yourself for some reason.

Proper dress

The way you dress says as much about you as your body language.

Always be sure you are properly dressed for the job you do. It is also important to wear clothes that are appropriate, of the best quality you can afford and in good taste.

It is not how many outfits you have or the labels you wear that count. It is how you care for your clothing and how you put it together with style. Most important, your clothing reflects your positive attitude towards yourself, your work and others.

Carefully consider what your body language is telling other people. It tends to say as much about you as your words.

You want your body language to display earnestness, openness and sincerity so that others will want to interact with you. Develop an ability to do it effectively via your body language.

Article contributed by Eunice Tan, principal consultant of Image Flair. For information about grooming and etiquette programmes, call on 9431-1895 or e-mail eunice@imageflair.com.sg,

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