What percentage of our communication is conveyed through body language? Some say 50%; others say more. Depending on the listener’s personality, it could be everything.
For those of us in leadership positions – worship ministry or otherwise – we need to take an assessment of our Cues (as Vanessa Van Edwards titles her book).
If we’re not careful, our body language may unknowingly contradict the very thing we want to communicate. These two practical tips are essential whether you are listening to your boss as she gives a directive OR presenting to those who work with you.
UNCROSS YOUR ARMS
Crossed arms mean you’re shielding your heart. You’re emotionally distant. You don’t want to get close. You’re not in agreement. You’re bored. You refuse to engage. During a seated meeting, a slouch with crossed arms is as good as a non-agreement, indicating annoyance and disdain.
It’s natural to cross our arms. One way to prevent doing so is to tilt your body ever so slightly toward the person with whom you wish to communicate. If you’re standing, placing your hands at your sides or on your hips is the warmest possible body language to convey interest and attention. If you’re seated, turning your body toward the person with a slight forward tilt is equally as powerful.
DON’T BREAK EYE CONTACT
Eye contact may be the most critical way to maintain connection during conversations and communication. It shows you care and are confident. It lets the other person know you’re listening. It helps you stay focused on the interaction.
Lack of eye contact or shifting eyes sends the opposite message – that you don’t care, you’re not confident, you’re not listening, or you don’t understand.
As we maintain eye contact, we discover what the other person is saying as they are saying it. We build bridges. We let a person know they matter.
The single most significant reason for the lack of eye contact in our day and age is the prevalence of phones and other handheld devices. We think we can engage and communicate and look at our phones at the same time – it’s just not possible.
Eye contact and open arms in communication will go a long way toward making you more approachable, more effective, and more engaged. Make a conscious effort to do both today.
For Worship Leaders
This also impacts our connections from the stage. Here are a few quick thoughts:
- Keep your eyes open most of the time to help engage
- Keep your arms to your side or in some movement – don’t get into a locked position holding the mic or resting your arm on your belly
- Smile
- Learn the songs as much as possible so you aren’t staring at a screen
The stage introduces another element to this connection, as it requires larger and more expressive movements. We know we’re not there to entertain, but we’re there to help people worship, and we don’t want to create any barriers. Seek to make a connection with your body language! [Read More About Stage Presence Here]
The idea for this post came from reading a quick little book called, Life Is Like A Musical by Tim Federle.
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