The human language can be a seemingly simple part of life, yet nearly impossible to master. How many times has the original meaning been lost in translation when passing from person to person? We are all familiar with the conflict that can occur when someone “supposedly” meant something other than what they actually said. When you factor in the meaning behind a person’s body language, you are dealing with a whole separate case of meaning. It takes approximately three seconds before a person’s opinion is made up, so how can body language be used to enhance the meaning behind your message?

Nonverbal communication, including body language, doesn’t always get the attention it deserves. Few people reflect on the impact their body language has throughout the day. Lesley Withers, PhD, assistant professor of speech communication and dramatic arts at Mount Pleasant-based Central Michigan University, stresses the significance body language has on the message presented. “When we communicate, the majority of the meaning of any utterance comes from the nonverbal message as opposed to the verbal message. Now, you’ll have to keep in mind the message behind your actions as well,” she says. 

So now that you know the importance behind body language, what can you do to make sure your message comes across the way you want it to? If you’re attempting to reflect a positive message, Withers says the best way to do that is through immediacy cues. Immediacy cues, or signs of interest, allow the person you’re interfacing with to visualize your interest. These cues involve “a combination of space, eye gaze and touch,” Withers says. There is also an increase of contact by using more touch and moving closer to the person. All of these signs express interest in the person.

In the healthcare profession, you’ll need to find the balance of comfort level between each individual. It is important to remain professional when dealing with a client, but you also don’t want to come across as being cold. If you are finding yourself interacting with the same people over an extended period of time, work on creating a relationship with that person. This is useful not only for reading the other person’s body language as a response, but also to develop a rapport. You can begin to make small observations on the how a person responds to what you say or how you act.

Asserting Confidence

Aside from general interest in a person, body language can also be used to show power, which also means interest, according to Susan Harrow, a media coach and marketing strategist at Harrow Communications, an Oakland, Calif.-based consultancy. “An open stance conveys the most confidence, power and vulnerability, which also translates as interest.”

Working in healthcare, the body language you use when talking to a patient should come across as confident. People will be more trusting of what you have to say if it matches the inflection in your voice and how you hold your body. For instance, if you are dealing with a sensitive subject, you’ll want to make sure that your body language conveys compassion and warmth.

For a new professional, body language is also important when talking with colleagues. It’s easy to be looked down upon as a new employee, but if your body language demonstrates your interest in the field of radiology, others will view you as confident and competent.

This type of confident body language can occur two ways: either sitting or standing. When standing, keep your “arms loosely at your sides and legs spread slightly.” When sitting, keep your “arm on the arms of the chair, resting on your knees or hands folded in your lap.” Harrow also reminds that good posture is crucial for showing confidence. “Sit back comfortably in your chair and relax your face and body.”

Lastly, Harrow advises against slumping. A person attempting to convey interest should always be alert and never appear overly relaxed. A great deal of what you’re attempting to say is heard through your body. If talking to a boss and expressing satisfaction in your job, you’ll have a harder time coming across as believable if you’re fidgeting in your chair and looking aimlessly around the room.

Body language can also be used to determine disinterest. Eye contact, or lack thereof, is the first thing people notice when they think someone isn’t interested. According to Harrow, “wandering eye contact often indicates that someone is not fully engaged.” A person who doesn’t look into your eyes when speaking could simply be preoccupied with other things, but it can also mean that you two are not connecting.

According to Withers, how a person positions their body also relays a lack of interest. “Positioning one’s body to face away from the other person, leaning away from that person, crossing one’s arms across one’s body and tapping one’s fingers or feet repeatedly can be signs that someone is bored or disinterested.”

As an example, during a 1992 presidential debate between then President George Bush, Bill Clinton and Ross Perot, Bush glanced at his watch twice while his opponents were speaking. To a bystander observing the situation, Bush’s body language could have been interpreted as disinterest in both his opponents and their topics. 

So how can you get back a person’s interest once it is lost? Harrow says, “Check in with the person.” If you’re in a meeting with your colleagues, you have the liberty to ask questions such as, “Are you following what I am saying?” and “Do I need to slow down or speed up?” This can help to bring the focus back to what was being discussed. It also provides time to recompose yourself and work on improving your body language to reflect your intended meaning.

Many people, however, fail to realize that voice inflection is also considered to be nonverbal communication. “By varying our vocal volume, pitch and rate, we not only show our interest in the subject, but we also are more likely to gain and hold other’s interest as well,” Withers says. 

If you were attempting to express concern about a client to a colleague, saying the information while laughing would dismiss the seriousness of the subject. How you say something is just as important as the way you hold your body while saying it.    

Withers also cites facial expression as a powerful set of nonverbal cues. “Humans are the most facially expressive animals on the planet; we can create more than 7,000 facial expressions,” she says. With so many different facial expressions, its no wonder that the meaning cannot always be interpreted the way the messenger originally intended. According to Withers, “There are at least six facial expressions of emotion that are considered to be universal: happiness, sadness, anger, fear, surprise and disgust. Therefore, people everywhere recognize these facial expressions and the emotions they typically represent.”

Cultural Cues

The universal facial expressions lead into the topic of cultural differences. Not only can there be language barriers between two people, but body language can also be interpreted differently depending on the culture. For example, Harrow says, “In Asian cultures, it’s respectful to keep your eyes down when dealing with an elder or superior. But in American cultures, direct eye contact is considered to be the most respectful, honest and straightforward.”

Withers explains how these differences are created. “Some nonverbal cues are learned, and, therefore, culturally-specific.” Harrow also believes that some nonverbal responses are learned or ingrained behavior. For example, since most gestures are learned, the meaning behind it can vary from culture to culture.

Cultural gestures can also cause much confusion and misunderstanding. “President [George W.] Bush and his family used the ‘Hook ’em Horns’ gesture at a University of Texas football game to show their loyalty as Longhorns fans. However, in some parts of Africa, this gesture is a curse. And in Italy, it signifies that someone is a cuckold – that his/her spouse is cheating,” Withers says. What one culture might consider an innocent gesture could be viewed as highly obscene and offensive in another. 

But, there are steps you can take to guard yourself from falling prey to cultural differences. For example, if you know you’re going to be interfacing with a person from another culture, Harrow says to research their cultural cues. “If that is not possible, closely observe how the other person is acting and follow suit,” she says.

Withers also believes that it’s important to do your homework. “Learn as much as you can about the culture, paying special attention to cultural norms and differences in how gestures are interpreted.” As a healthcare professional, you’ll most likely encounter patients and coworkers from all different cultures. Follow their lead and learn how to read their body language and respond accordingly.
   
Harrow also has a few more suggestions to make your body language come across in a positive way. “Many people hold tension in their jaw [causing them to not be completely relaxed]. You can let go of tension by clenching your jaw for 10 seconds and/or scrunching your face and then releasing.” If you think that people frequently misinterpret what you are trying to say, Harrow encourages observing your body language. “The best way to do this is to videotape yourself. You’ll be able to see your body language loud and clear.”

Harrow says that it’s also helpful to get feedback from a teenager. “They’re really frank; they’ll probably be able to isolate something that you’re doing that conveys the wrong message.” While she agrees with Harrow about being aware of your personal body language, Withers also precautions, “by increasing your self-monitoring, you can also run the risk of feeling more self-conscious and awkward.”

Body language is a powerful tool. It can signify a world of emotions that are outside of the verbal realm. People trust body language more than the words you speak, so be careful what you say. As therapy professionals, it’s vital that you’re aware of the emotions that you’re conveying and use body language to your advantage. When dealing with both patients and colleagues, your body language should command respect and trust. After all, actions speak.
   
Heather Smitcho is a freelance writer based in Washington, D.C.