Body language
Question # 1 How important is body language?
What we communicate comes, to a very large degree, from non-verbal cues such as posture, gestures, and facial expressions.
https://hbr.org/2016/07/what-great-listeners-actually-do
Use of words 7% impact
Voice 38% impact
Sources http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Mehrabian http://blog.doubleslash.de/richtige-kommunikation-im-softwareprojekt/
Body language 55% impact
Question # 2 Why is body language important?
Nonverbal cues can indicate what the speaker is not saying. For example, when people show their palms when talking, it means that they are telling the truth.
http://web.hbr.org/email/archive/managementtip.php?date=012810 http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2011/10/body-language-improve-patient-encounter.html
When you synchronize your body language with other people, you signal that you are connected and engaged.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolkinseygoman/2018/07/20/the-body-language-of-collaborative-leaders/#41977fb53de8
Adopting words, body postures, positions and movements that are similar to the speaker will allow the speaker to relax and open up more.
Sources http://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/empathic_listening http://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Good-Listener
Research shows that people, who lean forward, tend to increase the verbal output of people they’re speaking with.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolkinseygoman/2018/07/20/the-body-language-of-collaborative-leaders/#248f9be73de8
Gesture-based technology is being incorporated into product design. A challenge is that there is no standard format for body-tomachine gestures. Who will be the first to “own,” for instance, the hand gesture for a command as simple as “stop”?
https://hbr.org/2015/07/gestures-will-be-the-interface-for-the-internet-of-things
Question # 3 What is the effect of eye contact?
Eye contact is important for creating a feeling of connection.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/feeling-it/201704/8-ways-your-body-speaks-way-louder-your-words
Eye contact can have a memory-boosting, prosocial,
and stimulating effect as long as it is wanted by the person being looked at.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/the-truth-about-exercise-addiction/201609/what-eye-contact-can-do-you
While Westerners see direct eye contact as indicating honesty, it may be interpreted as threatening in East Asia.
http://repository.cmu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1149&context=tepper
One of the most powerful motivators to encourage participation is eye contact, because people feel that they have your attention and interest as long as you are looking at them.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolkinseygoman/2018/07/20/the-body-language-of-collaborative-leaders/#248f9be73de8
Possibilities to show authority through body language: Hold eye contact. Hold your head still. Occupy maximum space. When you walk, look straight and get your shoulders up. When you sit, sit straight. Free your mind and focus on 1 emotion. https://hbr.org/2014/09/to-build-influence-master-how-you-enter-a-room/ http://stanfordbusiness.tumblr.com/post/68102494797/how-nonverbal-behaviors-affect-your-status-and-power