When speaking in a meeting or attending a meeting, watch the body language of the attendees. Are they leaning into the speaker or leaning away? Are their arms crossed or close to their side? Do they make eye contact or are they looking away? Are they participating in the conversations or are they just present? These things and more, can tell you whether it is a productive meeting. If someone has their arms crossed they are not open to conversation. They have already made up their minds or do not want to hear others opinion's. To help with this most give out business cards or samples of products. This forces the attendees to uncross the arms and receive information. It also helps to warm up a room by giving out something to keep hands busy. If you are speaking in a meeting and someone is leaning back in their chair, it usually means that the individual is not in agreement to what you are saying. To help with this ask them a question pertaining to what you are speaking about. Simply asking what their opinion is can open them up. Remember if you listen to their side they will be more apt to listen to your side. (See previous post for more information) If the attendees are looking around the room they are not engaged. Most effective speakers will stop and wait until they get their attention and then begin again. Long meetings can be tasking on anyone. If your meeting is dragging on try giving a ten minute break. This helps get everyone back into focus when the meeting resumes.
As a leader we must remember that our body language speaks volumes as well. Try taking a deep breath before entering a meeting. This will help to release any stress felt from other issues that you have been dealing with. When standing in an open stance you are signaling command. Feet shoulder width apart, hand behind you back, one hand grabbing the other wrist. You are showing that not only are you in command but you are open. Watch politicians during the up coming month. They take open and commanding stances to help you accept their command.
The color of your clothing could help you gain followers as a leader. The color red is the symbol of passion. Are you passionate about what you are speaking? Try wearing a red tie. The color blue is used in hospitals to help patients and others in waiting rooms stay calm. Do you need people to stay calm? Try wearing a blue shirt. Be aware of what you and others are doing silently. You maybe surprised!!
This is really great advice! I can only imagine what half of us look like in class from the instructor's point of view.
ReplyDeleteI never knew this information about the color of shirts. It does make sense now why there are so many blue clothes in the hospital. I will start paying attention to what people are wearing and what affect it gives off.