52% of your communication has nothing to do with your words or tone of voice, it’s body language. Improving your body language can have a massive impact on your ability to communicate, influence and persuade.
Takeaways + Tactics
1. Improve your first impression by smiling with your eyes and adding an eyebrow bump
2. Attraction to you is created when there is more demand for you than supply - having an energy of need or lack can sabotage you before you ever show up for a meeting
3. Spend a few minutes before appointments going through power poses to put yourself in a powerful and confident mental state
We kick things off with a question squarely within Greg’s wheelhouse on serving beer at an open house. Greg explained why you should never, ever, ever serve alcohol at an open house, and how that differs from client parties or other events where you control the environment and access.
Greg then shared a tip on how he uses body language to greet people at an open house, blocking off certain avenues so they go through the house in a certain way and opening up your body language so you make the best first impression.
Then we dive into body language basics, starting with 4 initial responses every human has to other humans: 1) Friend, 2) Threat, 3) Sexual partner or 4) Indifferent. Each of us is sending and receiving these signals from other people all the time, and it’s possible to give off the wrong signal without realizing it.
Next we covered how to smile naturally, using your eyes and not just your mouth, and incorporate an eyebrow pop to make people feel comfortable. Greg also shared the ideal handshake, and the origin of the phrase “over the top.”
Then we get into posture, alignment, protective versus open posture, expanding, taking up space, power poses and peacocking. Greg explained how he’s used the power poses to put himeself in a great mental state for client appointments. Matt shared how much of the body language issues can be solved by 1) Dealing with the underlying insecurities that leak out in your body language, and 2) Asking yourself are you being open or are you being protective, as a shortcut to getting into better body language.
Lastly, Matt shared some body language No-No’s, how to immediately boost your appearance of confidence in appointments by slowing down your movements and breathing, letting go of tension. Matt also explained how important energy is to body language, how it affects other people, and how to channel nervous energy into movement during public speaking.
You can improve your body language in two ways:
1) Paying attention to and changing your physical posture and mannerisms, or
2) Work on the underlying issues that cause your poor body language. Start by taking practical steps, like slowing down, smiling more and staying in an open posture.
