10 Worst Body Language Mistakes to Avoid in the Workplace

How can body language help others to criticize you? Having the right body language will earn you brownie points. Same as that, worst body language will bring you a bad name. 

“Body language is a very powerful tool. We had body language before we had speech, and apparently, 80% of what you understand in a conversation is read through the body, not the words. “- Deborah Bull 

True to the above saying, body language is the first language that we humans spoke centuries before. Even now, body language matters the most in the corporate world. Before you judge an employer, an employer will judge you by your body language.  

People mostly do not concentrate on their body language. Here are the blunders that any ordinary employee will do in the office, not knowing that they are wrong. 

Listed below are the 10 Worst Body Language mistakes you should avoid in the workplace.

 1. Avoiding Eye Contact:

Avoiding eye contact is a notable blunder one can make when you are in a discussion. By avoiding eye contact, you are sending a mixed signal that you dislike talking to that person or you are making him judge you as a liar. So make soft and firm eye contact if you do not want your colleagues to address you as a liar.

 2. Sitting in a slouched position:

Sitting in a slouched posture at the workplace will make your employer think you don’t have an interest in the job. Slouching is also bad for your health. Try to sit in a straight position; this will help you look engaged towards work. 

3. Weak Handshake:

You can question how can a handshake judge a person. Here is where a soft skill does magic. Weak or an over-aggressive handshake is one of the worst body languages should avoid in the workplace. A weak handshake will make you look the least confident. So next time when you shake hands with your colleague, make sure you offer him a firm handshake. 

4. Crossed Hands:

Crossed hands show a lack of confidence and discomfort. In workplace crossed hands may further refer to submissive. When you are in discussion or meeting, stay in open palms showing that you are free to everyone’s idea. 

5. Eyeing the clock.

Constantly checking time is another fault that people do not know that it is one of the worst body languages. If you are talking with a person and the person other side looks at the watch constantly will make you think the other person is not interested to hear. However, some do out of habit. We should avoid this body language in an office.

“Don’t let your body language betray the confidence and sincerity of your words. Be truthful and speak with conviction.”

 ― Akiroq Brost

 6. Physical Isolation:

Some introverts feel shy to join with the team members. But staying away from the team and not interacting with the team will present you as a person with the least confident and not trustworthy. Try to be a person who mingles with all the team members rather than isolating yourself. 

7. Fake/No Smile:

Your employers can easily recognize a fake smile. They will interpret fake smiles or not smiling as not so genuine towards the employer. Always smile at the person you come across in the office. Smiling costs nothing.  

8. Leaning on a surface:

If the meeting or discussion goes too long, ask permission to take a chair and sit. Do not lean on the wall as it presents you as not interested in the topic.  

9. Using phone:

Using a phone in the workplace if your job is not on the phone, then it is the worst body language that you should stop following in your workplace. Using phone during meeting presents you as a person who disrespects the one who is addressing. 

 10. Exaggerated Gestures:

Exaggerated gestures and showing more drama will show you as unprofessional. Wild hand actions and non-verbal behaviour are one of the worst body languages that you should avoid in the workplace. 

If you are a person who follows any of the above body languages, then you should immediately stop the habit. Be confident and presentable always in the workplace. 

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