7 Non-verbal Cues That Ooze Confidence

Jan 24, 2018 1 Min Read
Alt


Whether for work or interview, these cues are good to master to exude confidence in your conversations or presentations.

1. Have a firm handshake

It shows confidence and conveys that you are genuine. A limp handshake implies half-heartedness and disinterest towards the person you are shaking hands with.

2. Maintain balanced eye contact

If you’re anxious about looking at someone in the eye, focus on their nose or between their eyes. They won’t be able to tell that you are not making eye contact because you’re still looking at them.

However, too much eye contact can seem intimidating. Communication experts recommend intervals of eye contact lasting four to five seconds.

P12_0904_7 Nonverbal cues (2) infographic

3. Lean

When you lean your body slightly towards the person, you show that you are actively listening to what he or she has to say.

When you angle your body away from the speaker, it can imply that you don’t care about the situation or conversation

P12_0904_Non-verbal3

4. Smile

A genuine smile speaks a thousand words. But be careful not to fake it because it is easy to spot a fake smile.

P12_0904_7 Nonverbal cues (4) infographic

5. Be attentive to tone

A person’s tone of voice can change the whole meaning of a sentence. “I am happy to do that for you,” can be heard as genuine joy or utter displeasure depending on the tone you use.

P12_0904_7 Nonverbal cues (6) infographic

6. Be mindful of personal space

How close or how far you stand from the other person can also convey a message. Moving too close to someone can be an invasion of personal space and may make the other person feel uncomfortable.

An appropriate distance for conversation would be if you are able to stretch out your arm and shake the other person’s hand.

P12_0904_7 Nonverbal cues (7) extra infographic

7. Take extra care of your appearance

Choice of colour, hairstyle, and clothing, can convey different messages.
Experts advise you to do your homework and dress appropriately for a job interview because first impressions do play a role.

For example, a person’s attire for an interview with a fashion magazine company will differ from that of a law firm.

Dressing appropriately for the particular job shows your prospective employers that you are serious about it.

This article first appeared in print on Apr 8, 2016
LDR-PDF-download-110x110

Share This

Leadership

Alt
Tamara was previously an assistant editor and writer with Leaderonomics. She loves thought-provoking conversations over cups of tea. If she is not writing, you might find her hiking up a mountain in search of a new waterfall to explore.
Alt

You May Also Like

employees are like cars that need to be tuned up and maintained.

The Car and the Road: Thriving People Need Thriving Pathways

By Juliet Funt. What is your organisation culture? Does your organisation give employees avenues to recuperate (without guilt) , reflect and respond? Read here how organisations must not only tune-up the car (employees) but also work on its culture for optimum performance.

Jul 26, 2022 5 Min Read

Alt

Raise Your Game: Assessment And More

More than that, assessments now go beyond by potentially adding to the branding of your organisation. Leaderonomer Kathleen Tan shares and explores the arena of assessments, and the various methods available today.

Feb 01, 2016 14 Min Podcast

Alt

Why You Need A Powerful Dream To Inspire You

How important is it to have a powerful dream and to live it? In this week's episode of Leadership Nuggets, Prof. George Kohlrieser of IMD Switzerland and veteran hostage negotiator shares the story of a man who had a dream and then lost it

Aug 03, 2014 2 Min Video

Be a Leader's Digest Reader