People's subconscious impressions of us are very important, and while your mouth can deliver one message, your body and your tone can deliver the complete opposite. It is important to be clear and concise with your communication through every aspect that your audiences receives.
Your audience most likely wants to see you looking and projecting confidence. When you speak, make sure to slow down your words and to speak clearly, in phrases and vocabulary that are easily accessible and understood. Smiling is absolutely vital, and as well as making difficult tasks seem easier, it makes you quickly likeable, portrays you as more friendly, and emits an aura of confidence. It also sends a subconscious message to your brain that you can achieve what you are trying to accomplish, as proven by a test with weightlifters conducted by Charles Garfield.
Keeping in line with confidence is your stance. If you are standing in front of a classroom, for example, try to keep your arms and posture open. Augmenting your stance increases testosterone flow and lowers stress, and it also makes you appear more approachable and comfortable. Try to avoid crossing your arms which suggests you're a closed person, or fidgeting which implies you are easily distracted. Feeling relaxed is the key, but is often quite difficult as we can feel quite intimidated in professional situations.
Where you place your audience also has a large effect on the communication. If you place them in a meeting room across your desk and lower down than you are, they will perceive you as a powerful and stubborn boss. If you lower your position to their level and perhaps sit by their side, the tension is released and a more effective conversation is likely to occur. If you wish to propose a collaboration, don't intimidate your audience by dominating the room with your presence.
If you feel your audience is closing up by looking at their body language, you can try to open their posture by handing them an object, for example a glass of water or a cup of coffee, or even a business card, as they will have to unfold their arms to receive this. By changing their body position, you will be changing their attitude without them even realising it.
Eye contact is vital in communication. If somebody is avoiding your gaze, they probably don't trust you or feel intimidated by you. By being able to look somebody in the eye, you are telling them that you want to be understood and that you want to connect with them. It shows a confidence in the words you are saying and trust in the message you are preaching.
Make sure to end your communication with a positive statement. Saying a confident “thank you” will win you a lot of points, as will a strong, firm handshake. Leave your audience with the lasting impression that you would like them to think of you.
Words only account for a small percentage of our potential communication. Make sure you are clear with your message, not just with your words, but also with how you are seen.