Examples of body language – What impact does it have in the workplace?

Everyone has heard the well-meaning phrase, "Chin up, everything's going to be alright" before. But most people haven't really considered the deeper meaning behind this saying. It's just a figure of speech – but it's very clearly about body language. 

If you're hanging your head with your chin pointing downwards, then you're feeling low and making this clear to others, too. You can see just how powerful body language is - it says so much more about you than your words. But those who know the secret of body language can benefit from this in both their everyday life and professional life. How can you make your body language work to your advantage in your job? Our examples of non-verbal communication show both what to do and what not to do.

Body language in the workplace: why is it so important?

It's worth pointing out that most of our communication is non-verbal, i.e. it is through our body language (55%) – without us necessarily being aware of it. Our gestures, posture, movement, various forms of eye contact, as well as our boundaries of personal space are all part of our body language. 

This also explains the key role that body language plays in how you come across at work. As a young professional, you naturally want to prove yourself and come across as confident and poised – even though you may feel exactly the opposite in these circumstances. Whenever you feel anxious, your body language can get in the way, making your nerves visible to others. 

Luckily, this is something you can actively change – if you know the ABCs of body language. Check out these simple tips on how to use body language in the right way for you in your professional life!

How to do it: examples of body language at work

Whether you're a lone wolf, a team player or a self-confident doer – you meet all sorts of characters in the workplace. How can body language help you to assert yourself among all the strong personalities at work? 

See our tips for better body language below.

1. Tip for better body language: always stand firm.

Negative body language is a real barrier to achieving success in your job. A slouched back, sloping shoulders and possibly a shuffling gait: these are all typical signs of negative body language at work, clearly pointing to a feeling of unease, lack of confidence and a sensation of discomfort. This body language can damage your positive image and your impact as well as create a false impression of you.

Examples of body language: a good posture

Stand up straight with both feet on the ground. Position your feet shoulder-width apart. If your feet are too close together, you come across as unsure of yourself. But if they are too far apart, you look domineering to the point of arrogance. If your upper body is hunched over, you give off the impression of weakness. Standing up straight shows that you want to be perceived as a strong characte

2. Tip for better body language: hands out of your pockets

Have you got something to hide? Why are you hiding your hands? In a conversation it's better to use your hands as a communication tool to emphasise what you're saying. It conveys to the other person that you are friendly and open. But pay close attention to your hand gestures – sweeping arm movements and flailing hands are just as unacceptable as stuffing your hands into your pockets.

Examples of body language: what to do with your hands while in conversation

Where should you put your hands, then? The best place to put them is in front of your body, in the centre and above the waist. Open hands say: "I have nothing to hide and I'm comfortable in my own skin." Alternatively, you could form a fist with one hand while your other hand wraps around it, or close your hands together loosely, almost as if you're shaking hands with yourself.

3. Tips for better body language: keep your nerves in check

Too much stress at work triggers anxiety – sometimes to the point where it's out of control. To calm us down we then continuously run our fingers through our hair out of nervousness, chew gum or fiddle with our clothes uncontrollably. These strategies might calm you down but have the completely opposite effect on others. This also indicates a complete lack of confidence and lets everyone know that you're losing it.

Examples of body language: how to ground yourself

Remove yourself from the situation for a brief moment to collect yourself, preferably finding a quiet place. If you can, pop outside for a breath of fresh air. You usually feel better after getting a bit of distance. Sharing your worries with colleagues makes you look more confident than not saying anything.

4. Tip for better body language: behold the power of the index finger

People who raise their index finger are in control and are in the right – or at least that's what they want you to believe. Even as children, we're taught that raising our finger isn't necessarily a good thing. In fact, people generally tend to have negative experiences with this hand gesture. Even if you want to positively reinforce your words with this finger-raising gesture, you should avoid using this kind of body language at work. It makes you come across as domineering, stern and arrogant. 

Examples of body language: a fingertip (or a tip for your fingers)

Pointing at others with your finger, nervously fiddling around or even just raising your index finger: if you move your fingers around too much, it tends to negatively impact your colleagues in most cases. In future, keep your fingers out of your body language toolkit as much as possible!

List: body language and its meaning

It's incredible what you can express through body language – both consciously and subconsciously. In the following bullet-point list, you'll find many examples of body language and their meanings.

Mimicking – everything related to facial expressions

Eyes

• Looking to the side: concentration, pensiveness
• Looking up to the side: reluctance to engage
• Looking down: uncertainty or subservience
• Looking away: ignorance or provocation
• Not making eye contact: complete lack of interest in the present moment
• Frequent blinking: uneasiness
• Raised eyebrows: surprise or scepticism
• Briefly raised eyebrows: happiness and friendliness
• Frowning: contemplation, sign of criticism

Mouth

• Tightly pressed lips: stress and tension
• Curled lips: disgust or aversion
• Curled lips and downturned mouth: dissatisfaction, bitterness or desire to get away
• One corner of the mouth lifted: arrogance, sense of superiority

Smile

• A permanent smile: looks artificial, irritating and self-satisfied
• Exaggerated grin showing teeth: self-control or superficiality
• Forced smile: irony, gloating, arrogance or uneasiness 
• Predominantly open mouth: rude, uncontrolled, undisguised curiosity

Body language: from head to toe

Head

• Slightly tilted head: signals interest, someone is listening
• Lowered head: obedience, failure and defeat

Shoulders

• Hunched shoulders: fear, the head should be protected
• Shoulders drooping forwards: dejection or listlessness
• Shoulders sloped backwards: confidence, serenity

Upper body

• Slightly bent forward upper body: interest or friendliness
• Twisted upper body: disinterest or dislike

Posture

• Legs close together: uneasiness, someone is making themselves small
• Wide stance or spread legs: self-confidence, dominance
• Constantly shifting weight from one leg to the other: restlessness, nervousness

When seated

• Sitting on the edge of chair: restlessness, readiness for action
• Crossed legs: upper leg often points in preferred direction
• Circling foot: uneasiness or embarrassment

Gestures: speaking with your hands

Fingers

• Putting fingers on nose: concentration or apprehension
• Drumming with fingers: impatience or nervousness, provocation
• Playing around with fingers: disinterest, lack of concentration or nervousness
• Head scratching: helplessness or uneasiness
• Chin rubbing: reflection and contentment
• Pointing finger at other person: dominance and aggression
• Finger wagging: arrogance, threat, dominance

Hands

• Clasped hands: clear superiority
• Putting hand in front of mouth: what has been said should be taken back, uncertainty
• Hand rubbing: self-satisfaction, doesn't always seem friendly
• Putting your hands over your head: when leaning back, boundless self-confidence
• Resting head on hands: pensiveness, exhaustion or boredom
• Hands in shape of pointed roof: arrogance, defence against objections
• Open palms: sign of trust and openness
• Closed palms: someone wants to hide something
• Hands behind the back: restraint
• Hands on hips: dominance

Arms

• Crossed arms: in men: rejection, resentment and closed-mindedness

In women: uncertainty or anxiousness

• Arms folded behind head: serenity, feeling of well-being, superiority
• Arms hanging straight beside the body: inner stability, serenity, balance
• Wild gesticulation: restlessness, uncertainty, lack of objectivity