![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Hands-showing-thumbs-down-sign-freedigitalphotos.net-Sira-Anamwong-1.jpg?resize=453%2C453&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
You emerge from the fringe and walk slowly onto the stage, laboriously putting one foot in front of the other. As you cover the short distance of seven paces to where your introducer stands, the feeling of barely suppressed dread rises from the pit of your stomach. Yet you trudge on…one foot in front of the other, until you finally reach the desired spot in the middle of the stage.\u00a0 The master of ceremonies gives a brief introduction, which is followed by a weak round of applause from the audience.<\/p>\n
You take your position behind the lectern and turn to face the audience \u2013 a sea of unsmiling, critical faces. You cringe at the glares you imagine are piercing you and try to scan the first line of attendees for any encouraging smiles. You receive none. Panic now wells up to your chest, and you suddenly can’t breathe properly. You visibly gasp as you clutch the sides of the lectern for support. You look desperately across the conference hall, where 200 professionals, industry leaders, press people, and three board members are seated, and you realise that the show must go on. Resigned to your fate, you open your mouth to speak.<\/p>\n
But instead, you squeak.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Your throat is too dry to continue, so you pause. With trembling hands, you open the bottle of water, thoughtfully provided, and pour some into the glass placed in front of you. You dare not look at the audience, whose searing gaze you cannot handle, while you gulp the water.<\/p>\n
It takes five minutes for your heart rate to normalise, and for your knowledge of the content to become evident. By the time you\u2019re feeling confident of your material, you\u2019re only 20 minutes into your 90-minute keynote, but you instinctively know that the damage has been done. As you continue, you notice whispering and hear muffled laughter.\u00a0 Occasionally, you scan sections of the room and see people on their smartphones. Then you zero in on the three board members who are now frowning and shifting in their seats.<\/p>\n
You finally finish your keynote.<\/p>\n
Exhausted, but determined to exude authority, you fold your arms across your chest and glare at the unhelpful audience, daring anyone to cross you during the Q&A session. However, you\u2019re surprised that all the press wants to know is who they could contact for more information. Relieved, you reel out details and quickly exit the stage.<\/p>\n
You know it wasn\u2019t your best performance but you survived the ordeal. Nevertheless, you’re horrified at the feedback you receive from the board members who attended the event \u2013 \u2018uninspiring\u2019 and \u2018distant\u2019, they wrote in an email, after carefully highlighting your faux pas. The press was particularly brutal in their description of your delivery – \u2018robotic\u2019, \u2018undeserving\u2019, \u2018fish out of water\u2019, and even \u2018comical\u2019.<\/p>\n
The fictitious scenario is not as far-fetched as you might think. Nonverbal communication is often the unappreciated sibling to oral and written communication skills. However, it is critical to the perception of your credibility. Strong nonverbal cues help influence people and gain trust in situations where the spoken word cannot be verified, or the written note analysed. Many a politician or leader has been vilified because his\/her nonverbal or body language cues were not congruent with the promise given or the message written.\u00a0 In such instances, body language signals\u2014everything you do with your body without speaking\u2014become a deciding factor when gauging trust or assigning credibility.<\/p>\n
Moreover, in corporateville<\/em>,\u00a0\u00a0mastering nonverbal communication at work<\/a><\/span>, as well as exhibiting strong emotional intelligence, would quickly set you apart from your colleagues as leadership material.<\/p>\n So when it comes to honing these crucial skills, what lessons could we learn from the fictitious event recounted above?<\/p>\n Instead of sprinting, or trudging like the speaker, move purposefully. By walking briskly, you\u2019d show confidence that the audience will notice. Leaders, politicians, and professionals who display high energy in their gait, project confidence. Walk that way first, and you\u2019d feel that way too.<\/p>\n Therefore, adjust your posture and walk confidently, especially at the beginning of your speaking engagement. This nonverbal signal will inspire confidence in your anticipated session. Remember that the audience forms an opinion within seconds of seeing you.<\/p>\n Movements can also be useful in transitions, and when used strategically, they increase the retention of points. For example, when highlighting three points, begin on the left for the first point, move to the centre for the second, and end on the right with the third point. The audience will associate each point with the specific position, and will easily recall the information shared. To increase engagement, you could even ask the attendees to repeat the points made during each movement.<\/p>\n Thus, use your movements to power your delivery.<\/p>\n It\u2019s often difficult to be aware of the facial expressions we display. Nonetheless, note that negative thoughts tend to produce negative facial expressions such as cringing, frowning, or glaring.<\/p>\n For example, if you\u2019re facing audience members whose expressions are hostile, you\u2019re likely to react to those unfriendly faces with a negative expression, unless you reframe your thinking and think positively. So, instead of cringing, which is a defensive reaction to this thought: \u201cThis audience doesn\u2019t like me and doesn\u2019t believe I can help them.<\/em>\u201d, reframe your thinking to a positive assertion: \u201cThis audience wants to be convinced that my content is the solution they need<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n Positive thoughts will trigger positive facial expressions such as smiling, laughing, and other encouraging body language cues like nodding and clapping.<\/p>\n To become aware of your facial expressions, cultivate a habit of recording your pitches, speeches, keynotes, etc. Review them after the events to catch many expressions and micro-expressions that you don\u2019t remember making. This is a simple but effective way to identify errors and track progress over time.<\/p>\n In the fictitious account above, the speaker did pause…but only to gulp some water after a squeaky opening. Don\u2019t allow panic to set in before using this simple technique.<\/p>\n Pausing is a good opportunity to regularise your breathing and recover your thoughts. I always say that pauses help your points \u2018marinate\u2019 in the minds of your audience. Brian Tracy<\/a><\/span>, renowned author and speaker, identified two types of pauses: the dramatic pause and the sentence-completion pause, which he argues help persuade your audience to take the action you want.<\/p>\n Another benefit of the pause is that it reduces the excessive use of filler words such as er<\/em>, um<\/em>, so<\/em>, you know<\/em>,\u00a0 basically<\/em>, etc. so that you speak more convincingly.<\/p>\n Moreover, isn\u2019t a thoughtful pause better than gasping for air or clutching the sides of a lectern for dear life?<\/p>\n Even if your audience is an unwelcoming bunch, will yourself to look at them. Scan sections of the room (if filled to capacity) so that you identify at least one curious gaze. One curious look is enough to reframe your internal dialogue to a positive statement, which will improve your expressions and boost your confidence. Even if you\u2019re reading from notes or a script, look at the attendees at key moments and deliver critical lines to them before reverting to your notes. Accord them the respect they deserve and acknowledge their presence.<\/p>\n Engage with your audience members as much as possible when appropriate. Ask questions, get them involved in some activity or get them to offer their opinions. Smiling is also a good way to disarm people and connect with them.<\/p>\n Often taken for granted when forming a rapport with your audience is your tone of voice – which can be used as an influencing tool. Vocal dynamics improves trust; therefore, vary volume, pitch, pace and depth to heighten emotions, to stress points or to command attention. Practise using your voice as a rich tool to add \u2018flavour\u2019 to your delivery.<\/p>\n Whenever you\u2019re delivering a keynote, speech, pitch or lecture, be mindful of \u2018closed\u2019 body language cues and avoid them. \u2018Closed\u2019 or defensive nonverbal behaviours, including folding arms across chest and shrugging, placing hands in pockets, rolling eyes, glaring, frowning, and cringing, should be avoided because they negate your performance. In the scenario described, the \u2018closed\u2019 body language cues displayed during the Q&A session further alienated the speaker from the audience.<\/p>\n Instead, adopt behaviours whereby your hands are visible\u2014such as open palms, and outstretched arms\u2014as these indicate an \u2018openness\u2019 and are an unconscious signal that you\u2019re a friend and not a foe. (This behaviour as explained by body language experts, is linked to evolutionary signals that trigger a fight-or-flight scenario).<\/p>\n Gesturing can also make you appear comfortable in your own skin, and thus confident to your audience. This is because you naturally gesture when speaking to relaxed audiences of friends or family. Since the best connection you can have with your audience members is one whereby they feel you\u2019re relating with them on a personal level, gesturing can be effective in gaining trust. Yet, for gestures to be effective, they must be natural \u2013 not canned. Simply believe in your content and speak passionately about it. What would follow would be organic gestures that your audience will believe. Avoid rehearsed gestures because your audience will perceive you as inauthentic, and will not be moved by your performance.<\/p>\n The next time you\u2019re poised to give a speech, pitch\/presentation or keynote, be aware that certain nonverbal cues can mar your credibility. Realise also that your audience can judge your entire delivery not necessarily by what you say, but by how<\/em> you\u00a0say it. And even more unfair is the fact that you might be labelled a certain way even before you open your mouth.<\/p>\n But there’s hope.<\/p>\n By avoiding negative nonverbal cues, \u2018closed\u2019 body language positions,\u00a0 and by using the other tips highlighted in this article, you’d boost your credibility and increase your influence.\u00a0 If you\u2019re unconvinced, ask experts such as Allan Pease<\/span><\/a>, Mark Bowden<\/a><\/span>, Amy Cuddy<\/span><\/a>, and other advocates of effective nonverbal communication. Their professional experiences and research findings provide ample reasons to consider nonverbal communication skills as critical to your overall communication effectiveness.<\/p>\n In other words, ignore nonverbal communication to the detriment of your career or business.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n N.B:<\/u><\/strong> First image is courtesy of Sira Anamwong, via freedigitalphotos.net. Second image is courtesy of Bplanet, via freedigitalphotos.net. Third image is courtesy of Master Isolated Images, via freedigitalphotos.net. Last image is courtesy of Watiporn, via freedigitalphotos.net.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Effective nonverbal communication is critical to connecting with audiences and persuading them to take the desired actions. Learn practical tips to boost your credibility and trigger results.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":791,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"Get ahead with effective nonverbal communication. Boost credibility and trigger results. #Nonverbal. #Communication. #Bodylanguage. #BusinessTips. #Careers","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[82,23,8],"tags":[838,683],"class_list":["post-776","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business-communication","category-communication","category-nonverbal-communication","tag-body-language","tag-nonverbal-communication"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Hands-showing-thumbs-down-sign-freedigitalphotos.net-Sira-Anamwong-1.jpg?fit=400%2C398&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":5510,"url":"https:\/\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/2025\/08\/31\/your-communication-blind-spots-how-to-identify-them-and-close-gaps\/","url_meta":{"origin":776,"position":0},"title":"Your Communication Blind Spots: How To Identify Them And Close Gaps","author":"Lucille Ossai","date":"August 31, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"You can't fix what you don't know. That's why identifying communication blind spots and closing gaps is critical to your professional growth. But the ultimate challenge is integrating the four most vital domains \u2014 nonverbal communication and interpersonal skills, public speaking and presentation skills, business writing skills, and leadership communication\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "communication"","block_context":{"text":"communication","link":"https:\/\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/category\/communication\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Title graphic for the blog article: Your Communication Blind Spots: How To Identify Them and Close Gaps.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Communication-blind-spots-in-bold-Lucille-Ossai.png?fit=640%2C339&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Communication-blind-spots-in-bold-Lucille-Ossai.png?fit=640%2C339&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Communication-blind-spots-in-bold-Lucille-Ossai.png?fit=640%2C339&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4958,"url":"https:\/\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/2024\/08\/30\/how-to-power-your-qa-segment-to-sway-your-audience\/","url_meta":{"origin":776,"position":1},"title":"How To Power Your Q&A Segment To Sway Your Audience","author":"Lucille Ossai","date":"August 30, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Like most people, you dread the Q&A segment. What if you don't know the answers? How do you deal with hostile questioners? How can you win over your audience? Learn three ways to power your Q&A so that no one forgets you in a hurry.","rel":"","context":"In "communication"","block_context":{"text":"communication","link":"https:\/\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/category\/communication\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/QAs-in-a-pix-Jose-R.-Cabelloa-Pixabay.png?fit=1200%2C686&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/QAs-in-a-pix-Jose-R.-Cabelloa-Pixabay.png?fit=1200%2C686&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/QAs-in-a-pix-Jose-R.-Cabelloa-Pixabay.png?fit=1200%2C686&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/QAs-in-a-pix-Jose-R.-Cabelloa-Pixabay.png?fit=1200%2C686&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/QAs-in-a-pix-Jose-R.-Cabelloa-Pixabay.png?fit=1200%2C686&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7,"url":"https:\/\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/2018\/11\/25\/how-to-deliver-a-memorable-presentation-to-an-accomplished-audience\/","url_meta":{"origin":776,"position":2},"title":"How To Deliver A Memorable Presentation To An Accomplished Audience","author":"Lucille Ossai","date":"November 25, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"You needn't panic when tasked with presenting to an accomplished audience. Learn the new best practices, boosted by research findings from neuroscience, and equip yourself with the knowledge to deliver memorable presentations.","rel":"","context":"In \"audience analysis\"","block_context":{"text":"audience analysis","link":"https:\/\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/tag\/audience-analysis\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/IQ-2Bindicator-2Bon-2Bmax-2B-2Bfreedigitalphotos.net-2BStuart-2BMiles.jpg?fit=400%2C366&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":419,"url":"https:\/\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/2019\/01\/30\/the-biggest-myth-about-effective-communication-debunked\/","url_meta":{"origin":776,"position":3},"title":"The Biggest Myth About Effective Communication…Debunked","author":"Lucille Ossai","date":"January 30, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"In this post, Lucille Ossai debunks the most worrisome myth about effective business communication. She also encourages you to take practical steps to hone your communication skills. Video embedded.","rel":"","context":"In "Business communication"","block_context":{"text":"Business communication","link":"https:\/\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/category\/business-communication\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Fact-myth-lever-freedigitalphotos.net-Stuart-Miles.jpg?fit=400%2C350&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":889,"url":"https:\/\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/2019\/03\/27\/seven-years-of-business-communication-blogging-sharing-insights-for-effectiveness\/","url_meta":{"origin":776,"position":4},"title":"Seven Years Of Business Communication Blogging: Sharing Insights For Effectiveness","author":"Lucille Ossai","date":"March 27, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"The Rethinking Business Communications Blog is seven! To celebrate the blog\u2019s journey, Lucille Ossai highlights the blog\u2019s awards. She also provides quotes from original articles published in the blog\u2019s seventh year. Read the insightful posts, build your knowledge and sharpen your business communication skills.","rel":"","context":"In "communication"","block_context":{"text":"communication","link":"https:\/\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/category\/communication\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Tick-on-done-freedigitalphotos.net-Stuart-Miles.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":4914,"url":"https:\/\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/2024\/07\/31\/how-to-nail-the-first-impressions-for-your-speeches-and-presentations\/","url_meta":{"origin":776,"position":5},"title":"How To Nail The First Impressions For Your Speeches And Presentations","author":"Lucille Ossai","date":"July 31, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"You already know that first impressions matter. But how can you ensure you hook your audience and win them over throughout your speech or presentation? Learn two simple, critical tips you need to adopt.","rel":"","context":"In "communication"","block_context":{"text":"communication","link":"https:\/\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/category\/communication\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Hands-clapping-Budi-Yanto-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1200%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Hands-clapping-Budi-Yanto-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1200%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Hands-clapping-Budi-Yanto-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1200%2C600&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Hands-clapping-Budi-Yanto-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1200%2C600&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Hands-clapping-Budi-Yanto-Pixabay.jpg?fit=1200%2C600&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paARmI-cw","amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/776","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=776"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/776\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5556,"href":"https:\/\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/776\/revisions\/5556"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/791"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=776"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=776"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=776"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}1) Move confidently to inspire confidence<\/strong><\/h3>\n
2) Be mindful of negative facial expressions<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Happy-cartoon-men-freedigitalphotos.net-Bplanet.jpg?resize=533%2C355&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
3) Pause more<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\u00a0<\/h3>\n
4) Look at your audience & engage<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/3d-man-with-empty-speech-bubble-freedigitalphotos.net-Master-Isolated-Images.jpg?resize=342%2C342&ssl=1\"){kind=spacer}
<\/p>\n5) Adopt \u2018open\u2019 body language cues<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Conclusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lucilleossai.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Business-people-shaking-hands-and-standing-on-globe-freedigitalphotos.net-Watiporn.jpg?resize=498%2C327&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\nIf you enjoyed this post, don’t rush off just yet. Please remember to:<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n