8 Great Tricks for Reading People's Body Language Research shows that 55 percent of communication comes from body language. Learn how to decode it.

By Travis Bradberry

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Shutterstock

This article was originaly published on May 18, 2016.

Body language can provide an amazing amount of information on what other people are thinking if you know what to look for. And who hasn’t wanted to read people’s minds at some point?

You already pick up on more body language cues than you’re consciously aware of. UCLA research has shown that only 7 percent of communication is based on the actual words we say. As for the rest, 38 percent comes from tone of voice, and the remaining 55 percent comes from body language. Learning how to become aware of and to interpret that 55 percent can give you a leg up in interpersonal communnication.

When you’re working hard and doing all you can to achieve your goals, anything that can give you an edge can be powerful in streamlining your path to success.

TalentSmart has tested more than a million people and found that the upper echelons of top performance are filled with people who are high in emotional intelligence (90 percent of top performers, to be exact). These people know the power that unspoken signals have in communication, and they monitor body language accordingly. Here are some key cues to be aware of.

Related: 11 Ways to Beat Procrastination

 

Crossed arms and legs signal resistance to your ideas

Crossed arms and legs are physical barriers that suggest the other person is not open to what you’re saying. Even if they’re smiling and engaged in a pleasant conversation, their body language tells another story. Gerard I. Nierenberg and Henry H. Calero videotaped more than 2,000 negotiations for a book they wrote on reading body language, and not a single one ended in an agreement when one of the parties had their legs crossed while negotiating. Psychologically, crossed legs or arms signal that a person is mentally, emotionally and physically blocked off from what’s in front of them. It’s not intentional, which is why it’s so revealing.

 

Real smiles crinkle the eyes

When it comes to smiling, the mouth can lie but the eyes can’t. Genuine smiles reach the eyes, crinkling the skin to create crow’s feet around them. People often smile to hide what they’re really thinking and feeling, so the next time you want to know if someone’s smile is genuine, look for crinkles at the corners of their eyes. If they aren’t there, that smile could be hiding something.

 

Mirrored body language is a good thing

Have you ever been in a meeting with someone and noticed that every time you cross or uncross your legs, they do the same? Or perhaps they lean their head the same way as yours when you’re talking? That’s actually a good sign. Mirroring body language is something we do unconsciously when we feel a bond with the other person. It’s a sign that the conversation is going well and that the other party is receptive to your message. This knowledge can be especially useful when you’re negotiating because it shows you what the other person is really thinking about the deal.

 

Posture tells the story

Have you ever seen a person walk into a room, and immediately, you got the feeling they were in charge? That effect comes largely from body language and often includes an erect posture, gestures made with the palms facing down, and open and expansive gestures in general. The brain is hardwired to equate power with the amount of space people take up. Standing up straight with your shoulders back is a power position; it appears to maximize the amount of space you fill. Slouching, on the other hand, is the result of collapsing your form; it appears to take up less space and projects less power. Maintaining good posture commands respect and promotes engagement, whether you’re a leader or not.

Related: 10 Signs You're Burning Out (And How To Stop It)

Eyes that lie

Most of us probably grew up hearing, “Look me in the eye when you talk to me!” Our parents were operating under the assumption that it’s tough to hold someone’s gaze when you’re lying to them, and they were right to an extent. But that’s such common knowledge that people will often deliberately hold eye contact in an attempt to cover up the fact that they’re lying. The problem is that most of them overcompensate and hold eye contact to the point that it feels uncomfortable. On average, Americans hold eye contact for seven to ten seconds, longer when we’re listening than when we’re talking. If you’re talking with someone whose stare is making you squirm -- especially if they’re very still and unblinking -- something is up, and they might be lying to you.

 

Raised eyebrows signal discomfort

There are three main emotions that make your eyebrows go up: surprise, worry and fear. Try raising your eyebrows when you’re having a relaxed casual conversation with a friend. It’s hard to do, isn’t it? If somebody who is talking to you raises their eyebrows and the topic isn’t one that would logically cause surprise, worry or fear, there could very well be something else going on.

 

Shutterstock

Exaggerated nodding signals anxiety about approval

When you’re telling someone something and they nod excessively, this means that they're likely worried about what you think of them or that you doubt their ability to follow your instructions. 

A clenched jaw signals stress

A clenched jaw, tightened neck or furrowed brow are all signs of stress. Regardless of what the person is saying, these are signs of considerable discomfort. The conversation might be delving into something they’re anxious about, or their mind might be elsewhere and they’re focusing on the thing that’s stressing them out. The key is to watch for that mismatch between what the person says and what their tense body language is telling you.

(A version of this article appeared on TalentSmart)

Related: 10 Rules for Beating Stress

Wavy Line
Travis Bradberry

Bestselling author of The Seagull Manager

Dr. Travis Bradberry is the bestselling author of The Seagull Manager and a LinkedIn Influencer with more than 2.5 million followers. His bestselling books have been translated into 25 languages and are available in more than 150 countries. Bradberry has written for, or been covered by, Newsweek, BusinessWeek, Fortune, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post and the Harvard Business Review.

Editor's Pick

A Father Decided to Change When He Was in Prison on His Son's Birthday. Now His Nonprofit Helps Formerly Incarcerated Applicants Land 6-Figure Jobs.
Lock
A Teen Turned His Roblox Side Hustle Into a Multimillion-Dollar Company — Now He's Working With Karlie Kloss and Elton John
Lock
3 Mundane Tasks You Should Automate to Save Your Brain for the Big Stuff
Lock
The Next Time Someone Intimidates You, Here's What You Should Do
5 Ways to Manage Your Mental Health and Regulate Your Nervous System for Sustainable Success

Related Topics

Business News

You May Have Fewer Options to Wade in the Water This Summer as Thousands of Lifeguard Chairs Are Left Unoccupied

A national lifeguard shortage has been on the rise since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Business News

'I Am Just Floored': Woman Discovers She Won $1 Million Lottery Prize While Checking Her Email at Work

Initially, she thought the email was a scam, but went to lottery headquarters and walked away with a six-figure check after taxes.

Fundraising

How I Raised $2 Million Without Knowing Any Venture Capitalists

Without having built a network of VCs, I successfully raised $2 million in six months by using the strategies I outline in this article.

Growing a Business

10 Growth Strategies Every Business Owner Should Know

Effective growth strategies are vital for businesses aiming to achieve sustainable growth and long-term success.

Growing a Business

In a Downturn, It's Not Enough to Have Good Financials — Brand Visibility Is the New Currency.

Visibility has proven to be tied to making more money and being more successful. I've been asked by many founders how they can generate visibility successfully and quickly, so here are my tips.