Posture

It’s no secret that posture says a lot. But what exactly does it say?

According to Bustle.com, shoulders are the first thing to take into account. If you want to show respect, point your chest toward the person you’re talking to. This shows you’re listening. And if you want to give a signal that it’s OK for someone new to join a group conversation, turn your shoulders toward them at a 45-degree angle. 

Slouching is also something to take into account. In fact, poor posture can show that you lack confidence. Bustle reminds readers that there’s a difference between keeping your shoulders back and appearing tense. Breathe to avoid giving off a message that you’re stressed. Plus, don’t lean away from people. It may convey a lack of confidence or interest. 

Eye Contact

Eye contact is another biggie in the world of non-verbal communication. And what you have learned in this respect may not be correct.

According to A Plus, the general belief is that poor eye contact signals both fear and dishonesty. However, applied social psychology professor Aldert Vrij says that this isn’t exactly true. In fact, pathological liars have been shown to use eye contact often to try to look honest. In other words, a liar may look you right in the eyes in the process of telling a tall tale. 

The direction in which you look can signal what you're thinking. Looking to the right indicates that a person is recalling a sound or engaging in creative thinking. However, looking to the left indicates that a person is recalling something visual. Plus, gazing both upward and toward the right can signal that you think the person you’re talking to is a bore.

Further, the pupils can be an indicator of interest in a conversation. According to Psychologist World, researchers have found that pupils actually dilate when a conversation or object is interesting. To test this out, observe a friend’s pupil size during a conversation. First, talk about something they’re interested in. You may see their pupils expand. Then talk about something that they aren’t interested in. Their pupils will probably get smaller. 

Plus, try to find a good balance between too much eye contact and no eye contact at all. Too much eye contact is said to be intimidating. But too little eye contact can signal a lack of confidence.