Your Guide to Smart Body Language in the Conference Room

Your Guide to Smart Body Language in the Conference RoomYour Guide to Smart Body Language in the Conference RoomSo youre prepping for a big meeting. Youve done your research on the topic, prepared a presentation (or thoughtful questions to ask the speaker), and picked out the perfect suit. Youre ready, right?Actually, theres something else to consider Your body language- which can often make a stronger impression than the words you say or the work you do.Whether youre a leader or a follower, the conference room represents a minefield of nonverbal communication that could fast-track or sabotage your ambitions. And its important to be aware of the often-subliminal factors that can impact the way your colleagues and boss view you.So lets take some all-too-common body-language scenarios, and abflug translating.Scenario 1 For newbiesAfter a few months of hard work, you finally get invited to a brainstorming meeting in the glass office with the mahogany conference room table. You grab a se at, place your hands in your lap and sit compactly to make room for more people. As soon as your boss starts to speak, you- eager to learn- hunch over your legal pad and commence rapid-fire note-taking. GOOD You sat at the table.In her buzz-worthy TED Talkabout why there are so few female leaders, Facebooks Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg exhorts women to confidently sit alongside men. Your colleagues will value your thoughts more if you are (literally) on equal footing. If youre huddled in a seat in the corner, your thoughts are often perceived as less important. No one gets to the corner office by sitting on the side rather than at the table, Sandberg says.BAD You allowed yourself to get squished.This is a common mistake among women, says Dr. Lois P. Frankel, a prominent executive coach, corporate trainer, and author of Nice Girls Dont Get the Corner Office 101 Unconscious Mistakes Women Make That Sabotage Their Careers. She argues that the use of space makes a statement a bout our confidence and sense of entitlement. The more space you take up, the more confident you appear.Look at how men and women sit on an airplane and stand in elevators. On an airplane, men are more likely to sit down and spread out using both armrests, whereas women tend to keep their elbows tucked in close to their sides. And while both sexes are conscious of making room for others when the elevator gets crowded, youre more likely to find a woman cowering in a corner, for fear of taking up too much space, Frankel says.Same goes for the conference room. You dont have to be a diva to have earned a comfortable spot at the table. So un-tuck your arms, put your hands on the table, and claim your spaceGOOD You took notes. No matter how many positive body-language vibes you send out during the meeting, failing to even bring a solitary sheet of paper and pen into the conference room gives the impression that the discussion isnt important to you. And thats not going to get you anywhere. Another way to show youre engaged is to lean forward and nod slightly. (No bobble-heading, though- its distracting.) These movements will send signals to the speakers that youre engaged and processing the information.BAD You took notes frantically. Have you ever left a meeting with a legal pad chock-full of notes, only to see your peers and boss only have a couple of ho-hum words at the top of their papers? Its disconcerting. (How did they do that? Dont they need the nitty-gritty details, too?)Then, you get a few smug thoughts. (Theyll come to me when they forget what was discussed.)Notice, though, that rarely happens. While there are times that detailed notes are needed, copying down every spoken word and PowerPoint diagram also sends out the juvenile vibe. Its better to synthesize the information as it comes in.Jot down the main ideas, and spend the rest of the time giving some much-needed eye contact and a few of those intentional nods. Theyll go a long way in establishing sublim inal rapport.Situation 2 For ManagersRecently promoted, youve been tasked with presenting at the quarterly meeting of all the big wigs. And boy, are you ready. Youve fleshed out your talking points, memorized your presentation, and skillfully peppered your script with a couple of well-timed (and seemingly unscripted) jokes. You take your spot to the right of the board, and at the end of the presentation, you face your colleagues and cross your arms. Any questions? After a pregnant pause and no response, you sit down. GOOD Youre prepared. Nothing says this is going to be bad than someone who fumbles with note cards and spends their time reading PowerPoint slides, rather than looking at the audience.But beyond knowing what youre going to say, what makes a presentation engaging? Frankel recommends you break the silhouette. Take your arms from your sides and integrate gestures with your message. Emphasize points by counting them on your fingers. And even if youre nervous, no hand-wringi ng allowed. No excuses.BAD You stood still. Lets refer to Frankels point about taking up space. Women often are plagued by the same unconscious space-saving tactics, even when theyre at the front of an open room. They tend to stand in one place, moving only slightly within a few feet. But without enough movement and gesturing, the overwhelming impression conveyed is that of being demure, careful, unwilling to take risks, timid, or frightened with little to contribute, Frankel writes. And that all has nothing to do with the content of the presentationFrankel suggests walking side to side, forward and back, covering about 75% of the available space.Also, plan ahead. If you know theres an uninspiring podium in the conference room, request a handheld microphone before the meeting. Youll be able to move about more freely.GOOD You faced the group.Orienting your body toward your audience helps with voice projection and also makes you appear more approachable, as you (literally) open your s pace for discussion. It also gives them a clear view of your facial expressions. A classic 1967 studyby Dr. Albert Mehrabian at the University of California at Los Angeles found that the total impact of a presentation is based on words used (7%), tone of voice (38%), and body position, facial expressions, hand gestures, and other nonverbal communication (55%).BAD You crossed your arms. By crossing your arms at the end of your presentation, you unknowingly closed that open line of communication. Studies show audiences are less likely to respond to someone whose arms are crossed because it gives the impression that the conversation is closed or that the speaker is guarded and insecure. Instead, smile and keep your arms bent at your sides, poised to begin gesturing when its your turn to speak.So, in your next meeting, think about the messages youre sending- not just with your words, but with your body. While unconscious mistakes have the potential to stall your career, these simple tec hniques will leave a first (and lasting) impression of poise and competency.Photo of business meeting courtesy of Shutterstock.