What can your body language do for you?
It's said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and that extends even to the subconscious. When humans are attracted to each other, platonically or otherwise, they have a tendency to mirror one another’s mannerisms, inflections, and posture. But what if you learned to harness these subconscious signals of endearment and use them to your advantage?
In the 1970s, a professor at UCLA discovered that subjects based 93 percent of their perceptions of others on nonverbal cues during emotional communications. Which means that only 7 percent of what people are noticing about you is what’s coming out of your mouth. Every second your body is sending out a message; don’t you think it’s time you took control of what it has to say?
We all know about the effects of posture on confidence, but what about relationships? Can you make yourself more likable just by moving a certain way? Science suggests that it’s possible. Studies show that basic and subtle mirroring of the person you’re trying to make an impression upon can increase subconscious feelings of fondness and trust. Try adopting a word from your boss’s favorite phrase, or if you’re out to coffee with someone new and they wrap their hands around their cup, try doing the same.
Open your body; don’t close yourself off with crossed arms or by slouching. Extend eye contact, just by a second or two. Subtle vulnerability creates a sense of comfort and well-being. Small movements that suggest underlying common ground send subconscious signals of trustworthiness.
Remember, subtlety is key; if they notice your mirroring on a conscious level, it may actually do more harm than good. So the next time you’re not sure what to say to solidify a bond, let your body do the talking.