body language communication

body language communication

In almost every point in your life, you unconsciously do the art of
negotiations. From haggling with your favorite flea market sales lady, to
lobbying for a well-deserved increase from your boss, negotiations are being
made daily in your life. And would you believe almost all aspects of the
negotiation process involves body language?

In terms of the actual negotiation in business, body language is a very
important aspect. Reading body movements of your counterparts and making the
right gestures may spell the difference between success and failure in the
negotiation process.

Early Signs
The first step in using body language in a negotiation begins the moment you
walk into the negotiation room. Be keen in observing their body language by
focusing on the whole body - the head, arms, hands, chest, tummy, legs and feet.
If you achieve this, you will be able to listen better. You will also be more
perceptive in reading their body language.

Personal Space in Negotiations
In the negotiating table, each person creates his own personal space, his own
territory. By business practice, people of higher status (e.g. president of a
company) command more personal space, and are usually conferred by other people
in the negotiating table.
For example, the authority over the most dominant chair (usually the head of the
table) is the apparent symbol of power. If this person occupies the dominant
chair, a good negotiator can repel this by strategic seating arrangement of
teams or allies in the negotiating table. You may sit in a way that you surround
that person, or any seating arrangement where you may comfortably get leverage.

 

First Impressions Last
In the negotiating table, the first move is the most crucial. Just like in the
game of chess, if you play the white piece, you get the built-in advantage
because you draw first blood, and the opponent’s next move and game plan for
that matter is dependent on that crucial first move.
So make a good, firm, and calculated move. Begin with a
positive body language.
Radiate your enthusiasm. In a meeting for example, look in the other person's
eyes with sincerity. Your eyes are the windows to your soul. If you can’t
maintain eye contact, they might think you’re hiding something or you’re not
sincere.
Give a solid handshake. Hold the hand firmly but don't squeeze it. A common
fallacy is that we should squeeze the hand during this monumental time of the
handshake. This is certainly not advisable. Press the hand one time while looking the person straight in the eye. Pressing
the hand once or twice may indicate excitement or vitality, but anything more
than that can make the other person uneasy.

Put Your Body Language Know-how to Use

During the negotiation process, observe their gestures. In the first chapter,
you were taught how to recognize if people are interested in what you are
saying, if they are casting doubts on you, if they are more open to accept your
proposal, and even when they are lying.
Be alert in recognizing these
signals. Moreover, also be aware of your own actions. You might be exhibiting
signs of nervousness without you knowing it, and your counterparts (who might
also know body language) might take advantage of the circumstances