Mind your body language at the work place

Richard and James had been employed for 5 years at Jesus is lord studios limited. They were good employees. So loyal with identical attendance and production records.

When time came to offer a leadership position of the assistant manager, the proprietor Peter had no trouble picking James over Richard. When asked about his decision, he said

“James looked like a leader who could motivate the work force. He has a good posture, stands tall and commands his space with his chest slightly apart. He projects confidence yet Richard tends to be slouch, whether standing or sitting which makes him less confident.”

Rachael Byamukama, a proprietor of Byamukama Fabrications Company and restaurant says, mastering body language at the work place can be awfully helpful for any employee in gaining him advantage over others.

‘’Noting body language can reveal more than your employees will tell you with their words so that you can better run the workpace.It helps you uncover lack of confidence, if an employee does not feel confident with a particular task, additional training or support is an option.”

He adds that your overall posture at the work place also indicates your confidence and interest in what you are doing.

“Your posture should reflect your confidence and that you are self-assured. Sit straight with your pelvic bones and neck bones in alignment. This posture makes you look and feel more professional in your approach.” He advises.

Byamukama says posture should be perfect at the work place both while sitting and standing. This helps you improve your position among your colleagues and in the eyes of your boss. This will surely help your message get more weightage in the organization.

He adds that when giving a presentation or leading a meeting at the work place, you can see the body language of the attendees to weight how your message is perceived.

“The employees may feel bored or disengaged if they avoid eye contact, play with objects such as pens, scribble or have poor body posture.”

Byamukama says that the general facial expression at work also indicate your feelings about the situation. Averting your gaze may cause your coworker or boss to feel you are not being honest.

He adds that since eye contact is a body language indicator at the work place, maintaining eye contact shows interest, attention, confidence and honesty. Your facial expressions play a vital role in communicating your feelings or emotions as an employee or employer.

Peter Mugagga, manager Shine hotel limited Mbarara district says, the words spoken by staff members at the work place are only part of the communication puzzle but body language communicates a colleague’s feelings or intentions.

He says that a greeting with a pleasant smile at the work place makes your appearance more approachable and assertive.

“A smile in today’s world can do wonders from lighting a gloomy mood, to accept request, boost up self-confidence and also make up broken relations at work.”

Mugagga says that trying to communicate involving your hands at the workplace adds freshness and adds meaning to your message. You need to be careful with the usage of hand gestures while communicating as they have different cultural significance across the world.

“Keeping your hands held at your waist level shows that you are more confident at your point. Showing the palm of your hands may keep you at an advantageous position as it signifies openness.” He advises.

Mugagga says that a person who shows openness is more welcomed and acceptable in different organizations than a person with closed arms and cross gestures. Showing the palms of your hands during the communication at work will add more credibility to your body language skills at work.

He adds that a person with the low vocal pitch at the work place is judged to be more knowledgeable and perceived than the one who speaks in the high pitch. One who has a high volume is a person with less empathy and less powerful at the work place.

ENDS.