Folded arms
Folded arms or clasped hands. These gestures build a barrier between you and the other person. According to Forbes, you should generally avoid having anything between you and your counterpart, including folded arms, especially if you want to have any influence on the other person.
Mirroring of gestures
People generally tend to have more trust in people who are similar to themselves, come from the same background and have the same opinions and behaviour, including gestures. To create mutual trust, it is a good trick to copy the gestures of the person you are talking to.
Open stance
Generally speaking, you should keep an open stance towards the person you are talking to. Do not sit sideways to them and do not turn your back on them. Sit or stand straight, facing the other person, showing them they have your full attention.
Keeping eye contact
Keeping eye contact is of course essential in successful communication. Your eyes should not wander around the room, nor should you look at your phone or your watch. But beware of overdoing it: following this tip does not mean you will stare intensely at the other person. This could make them really uncomfortable.
Straight posture
As a manager, you must emit confidence, certainty and authority. Only then will your workers trust you and genuinely listen to what you are saying. You can come across as an authority also by sitting or standing straight, shoulders back, chin up, no slouching.
Smile
The most universal and effective of all tools when communicating with either a group or an individual is a smile. It shows you have good intentions, that you enjoy talking to the audience or the given person and that you are open to debate.
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