BODY LANGUAGE A TOOL TO LEADERSHIP

WITH NOTHING LOST IN TRANSLATION, 

POSITIVE BODY LANGUAGE IS 

THE LEADER’S HACK TO SUCCESSFUL COMMUNICATION

~With our body doing the talking, the manner in which emotions dictate the way leaders behave is how the world perceives them to be~

In the world of letters and numbers, we sometimes forget that it can be action that can speak louder and more powerfully than words. Body language, despite being in the subconscious mind, is a very potent tool in making the other person realize if there is a disparity between what you are saying and thinking. As we strive to make relationships work in personal as well as corporate settings, it is important to come across and present one’s self as credible and convincing. After all, the manner in which you use your personal space, physical gestures, posture, facial expressions and eye contact can be all the difference in you being perceived as either a leader or a follower.

It is probably when we shift the context to the corporate world, do we realize the true importance of body language. After all, the remotest signs of poor body language can see deals not go through as well as the company suffering losses. What a manager can do here, in order to become a good leader is display good body language. For that will not only help them motivate and bond with their employees, but deliver ideas with credibility, thus projecting charisma in a way never seen before. At the end of the day, this is a useful skill set to have.

And as we come to the bond between trust and body language, we see that the two go absolutely hand-in-hand. After all, one is only able to establish trust where there is a perfect sync between what is said and the way our body reacts to it. Should that not be the case, you run the risk of being seen with a lot of uncertainty and being scrutinized.

RULING THE WORKPLACE

One cannot help but notice that it’s never the smartest or the intelligent ones who are the most powerful in a group or company. So then why are they perceived to have any sort of leadership qualities? The answer is in the details should we look closely. It’s the body language that acts like a magnet drawing people and good vibes to them.

While the list is endless as to how positive body language effects the work environment for the better, from the perspective of a leader and their skills, we must speak about their impeccable knack to read their surroundings and respond accordingly. And if the sky is the limit and you want to move up the corporate ladder, you need to not only understand how your body language impacts perception, you also need to be consciously aware of your emotions and use body to maneuver them.

YOUR BODY TAKES OWNERSHIP WHILE MAKING A DECISION

When you go from one body type/posture to another – your mind has no choice but to respond to it- mandatorily. Without fail. And if they are used in sync, they can create immediate changes. Research around the world has proven that even before we can make a decision, its outcome can be predicted from mental activity in the brain. Internal bodily signals can be deeply informative, which is why sensing them can provide an extra channel of information to influence decision making. Not only does the body tell us about the way we feel, it helps us to empathize with the joy, pain and sorrow of others as well. With time, we are slowly realizing just how much the way we think and feel is shaped by this dynamic interaction between body and brain.

In this context, we could also seek inspiration from Guru Gorakhnath who advocated the school of thought, that every person has a spiritual center. While we may not be aware of its existence, Guru Gorakhnath says that it is within the control of a person to perceive this energy and then choose to work on awakening this dormant self and channeling this positivity towards an optimistic mind and energy.

YOUR BODY DEFINES THE WAY YOU EMOTE

Our emotions have a direct connection to our body that lets them have a big impact not only on our mental self but also on our bodily state. If we consider our feelings when they bother us, we can not only help ourselves but also bring harmony to our mental and physical states.

The impact of emotions on our health cannot be underestimated. Emotions play a vital role and have a huge impact on how we feel, on our zest for life, and in creating internal situations that can lead to health or disease. The health of the mind and the body are inextricably interlinked with one affecting the other and vice versa.

THE BODY REMEMBERS

All that happens within the body and mind is stored by the very tissues of the body, whether or not you consciously remember a particular trigger, event, emotion, etc. Emotions such as fear, anger and sorrow produce a contraction within the body on many levels – physically, emotionally, mentally, energetically, and this contraction is also manifested by a restriction of the breath.  Our resistance to feeling these negative emotions maintains the energetic contraction and builds up within the body producing scars which we can carry for a lifetime. Unless one consciously undertakes to release these stored-up emotions, they remain trapped within the tissues.

YOUR POSTURE TOO, DOES THE TALKING

Our posture affects not just how we we perceive ourselves, but how others do too. There exist “power poses” that when displayed, show immense confidence and affect your decision making in a positive way. On the other hand, if you have a tendency to slouch, one might judge you to be less capable. Institutions around the world have been studying the bond between posture and the mind for years. Improving the way you sit improves not only the way your brain functions, but your mood and memory levels as well. This isn’t just restricted to the way you sit, it also pertains to walking. In a host of interconnected ways, good posture equals a happier brain which leads to better relationships, health, work and other positive effects in your life.

BE IN THE RIGHT FRAME OF MIND WITH SOMATICS

One of the best ways to improve your confidence and be more self-aware and mindful of 

what you say and how you present yourself when it comes to body language is Somatics.

As mentioned earlier, the mind, body, spirit and emotions are all related and connected to each other. By developing an awareness of this connection, somatics helps one release the negative vibes and emotions from certain experiences from the past. The primary aim here being to free you from the stress and pain that is stopping you from performing to your fullest potential. Since all of us have unconscious actions and thoughts that we are not aware of, somatics helps us learn about our actions and increases awareness. By being aware of your body, you can see these changes and be aware of your emotions. Practicing this on a frequent basis opens up a host of possibilities, offers utmost transparency, builds optimism and leadership skills like never before.

In today’s world where deadlines and results mean everything, leadership that is more commanding and controlling may not be the best approach. Leaders who offer their vision, and add meaning and empathy to the conversation can motivate everyone to perform to the best of their abilities.