Do You Make Body-talk Mistakes?

just as the right body language can make your words more effective, the wrong gestures can garble the messages. if you’re guilty of these non-verbal no-nos, try these alternatives:

* THE FIG LEAF SPEAKERS who clasp their hands in front of their groins look insecure. to project confidence, keep your arms loosely at your sides and use fluid gestures for emphasis.

* THE TERMINATOR is one with an unforgivably brutal handshake that can crush any hope of a good impression. also avoid “fish hand” – a lifeless palm dangling from a limp wrist. to put your best hand forward, hold your fingers and thumb vertically, extend them directly, clasp well, then release.

* THE SPACE INVASION. most people feel most comfortable with a three-to six-foot bubble of space around them. getting closer puts the other person on the defensive. show respect for invisible personal boundaries.

* THE ROADBLOCK. physical barriers – like folding your arms – indicate resistance. open positions, with the torso exposed, convey a receptive attitude.

* THE FIDGETS. comfort gestures – rocking, stroking your leg, tugging on your ear – increase with stress. while you should try to control such non-verbal noise, you don’t have to straitjacket yourself. just make sure not to do anything excessively.