Have you ever noticed how much you can understand about someone just from their body language? A shoulder shrug, a frown, sustained eye contact – nonverbal communication conveys a wealth of information. Mastering nonverbal communication is a key skill for effectively connecting with others.

Let’s start with eye contact. Maintaining eye contact shows confidence and interest. My friend James told me about how he used to struggle with eye contact. During conversations, he’d let his eyes wander around the room instead of maintaining focus on the other person. This gave off an impression of disinterest or discomfort.

Eye Contact

To improve, James made a conscious effort to maintain eye contact while conversing. He’d remind himself – eye contact equals connection. At first it felt unnatural, but over time James got comfortable with consistent eye contact. The results were amazing – his conversational partners started remarking how attentive and engaged James seemed. Conversations just flowed better.

Body Language

Another element of nonverbal communication is body language. Posture, facial expressions and gestures reveal inner thoughts and emotions. Ever notice how someone standing with arms crossed comes off as defensive or closed off? Or how a smile puts others at ease?

My little cousin Claire is a naturally bubbly kid with very expressive body language. When she gets excited about something, her whole face lights up with joy. She’ll wave her arms and sometimes even start bouncing up and down. Claire’s body language matches her emotions perfectly.

Now compare that to my friend Joe, who has a more subdued demeanor. Joe tends to keep a straight face and can come off as stern when he’s just listening or thinking. Noticing this, Joe has tried to incorporate more affable body language by smiling frequently and uncrossing his arms. This small change makes a big difference in how approachable others find him.

Here’s an easy trick: When you want to show interest in a conversation, subtly lean in. Leaning your body toward the other person demonstrates engagement. This also works when you want someone to open up to you. Tilting your head slightly to one side can portray empathy. Matching the other person’s posture and body language can build quick rapport.

Of course, not all physical gestures are intentional. That’s why picking up on body language cues takes practice. I’m still working on my ability to interpret others’ nonverbal messages. I try to pay close attention to small details like fidgeting hands, furrowed brows and facial tics that reveal underlying feelings.

My friend Nina learned firsthand how body language can silently communicate dislike. She had just started a new job, and a senior colleague named Emily kept avoiding eye contact with her. Emily’s mouth would tighten slightly when Nina approached and she leaned away rather than engaging. Sensing the subtle hostility, Nina limited her interactions with Emily and stopped trying to befriend her.

A few weeks later, Emily unexpectedly apologized to Nina. Turns out Emily was just nervous about training the new hire and her body language had unintentionally telegraphed distaste. Nina was glad she correctly interpreted Emily’s vibe, but didn’t make any false assumptions about the reason behind it.

Cultural Differences

There are some cultural differences to keep in mind as well with body language. Expressions like finger pointing or the “okay” sign mean different things in certain cultures. Similarly, acceptable eye contact varies around the world. It’s always smart to be observant when interacting with someone from a different background.

Body Cues

Altering your body language is one way to instantly shift a mood or interaction. Amy, my college roommate, would dance around our apartment when she was in a funk. She found shaking her body and being silly for a few minutes could completely change her attitude. I’ve adopted this technique by doing a little shimmy or quick box step when I need a mood boost.

Here’s an easy way to practice reading body cues: The next time you’re in a crowded area, sit back and observe others’ nonverbal behavior for 15-30 minutes. Take note of facial expressions, posture, hand motions and eye contact. Imagine what conversations or emotions these unspoken gestures reveal. Then see if your interpretations match the actual interactions.

Mastering nonverbal communication will make you more perceptive and relatable. Remember to project interest and attentiveness through eye contact. Allow your body language to display your feelings honestly. NOTICE and interpret the subtle cues of those around you. With these skills, you’ll connect on a deeper level during any interaction.

The nonverbal dimension can speak volumes if you know the language. So pay attention to the powerful messages conveyed through eye contact, posture, gestures and more. Armed with the ability to read body language, you’ll enjoy smoother, more meaningful communication.