The Role Of Body Language In Sales Presentations

Your body speaks before you do. Is it saying what you want it to? I learned this the hard way during a board meeting. I had the numbers, the plan, the perfect pitch. But I was fidgeting, avoiding eye contact, and shrinking into my chair. In return, I received a lot more questions than usual. Another leader pulled me aside after and said something that changed how I show up: "You know your stuff, but your body is telling a different story." They were right. I was undermining my own message. Over the years, I've watched leaders who command rooms without saying a word. They don't have magic powers. They understand that 55% of communication happens through body language. Here's what I've learned works: 👉 Eye contact builds trust. Look at people when they speak to you. Really look at them, and make a connection. 👉 Your posture tells your story. Stand like you belong there. Sit like you own the chair. Keep your arms open. 👉 Space matters. Read the room. Respect cultural norms. Find that sweet spot where you're engaged but not invading. 👉 Listen with your whole body. Nod with purpose. Welcome silence. Show that you're not just waiting for your turn to talk. 👉 Your voice carries weight. Pace yourself. Vary your tone. Project confidence even when you don't feel it yet. 👉 Let your face match your words. Show authentic emotion. If you're excited about an idea, let it show. If you're concerned, don't hide behind a poker face. 👉 Gesture with intent. Open palms signal trust. Measured movements emphasize key points. Your hands can reinforce what your words are trying to build. The truth is, I still catch myself sliding back into old habits. Last week, I realized I was crossing my arms during a meeting. But now I notice more. I adjust. I show up differently. Body language isn't about being perfect. It's about being present and intentional with how you connect. 💭 What's one body language habit you want to change? ♻️ Share this post if you know someone who needs to hear this message. 📌 Follow me (Jennifer Turnage) for more insights on authentic leadership and communication.

90% of people I talk to say they don’t know how to appear confident when sitting in a meeting. 3 powerful body language tactics I use in every seated meeting to feel & appear confident: 𝟭. 𝗣𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 • Angle your torso directly toward the person you're speaking with (I love swivel chairs over low couches when given the choice) • On Zoom, position your camera so your entire body faces it (not just glancing over)  • If seated at a weird restaurant angle, physically move your chair to face the other person When your toes, torso, and head all point toward someone, they literally feel like you're on the same page. Physical alignment creates psychological alignment. ____ 𝟮. 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗕𝗼𝗱𝘆, 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱 • Keep your hands visible on the table  • Never cross your arms (even when cold)  • Avoid any barriers between you and the other person Research is clear: People with crossed arms are rated as closed, distant, and close-minded. More importantly, researchers found that when people try to generate creative ideas with crossed arms, they produce fewer ideas! Closed body = closed mind. ____ 𝟯. 𝗠𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗼𝗿 & 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗻 • Use physical proximity to signal interest • Lean in when you like an idea or person ("Wow, tell me more" + lean)  • Mirror your conversation partner's energy  • (fast talker = more gestures, slow talker = slower pace) Mirroring shows respect by matching communication styles. People naturally like those who communicate similarly to them. The lean is your nonverbal way of highlighting interest - it's like physically bolding your words. ____ These tricks do more than make you seem confident - they actually change how you think. When I use these in meetings, press, or podcast interviews, I see immediate differences in how creative and engaged I feel. Try them in your next meeting and watch what happens.

After negotiating billions in contracts, I’ve discovered a game-changing secret to success: the right body language often speaks louder than any proposal or argument. Ready to take your influence to the next level? Mastering body language could be your game-changer. We’ve all seen plenty of advice on using verbal communication to influence others, but how often do we focus on the power of body language? Nonverbal communication plays a critical role in influencing effectively—it conveys confidence, builds trust, and strengthens your message. How the industry leaders execute it: 1. Establish Open and Confident Posture Stand or sit up straight with shoulders relaxed and chest slightly forward. Avoid crossing your arms or legs, which can appear defensive or closed-off. 2. Make Intentional Eye Contact Maintain steady eye contact to show interest and confidence. Avoid staring; instead, balance eye contact with natural breaks to avoid discomfort. 3. Use Gestures to Reinforce Your Words Use purposeful hand movements to emphasize key points (e.g., open palms to convey honesty). Avoid fidgeting, pointing, or overusing gestures, which can distract from your message. 4. Mirror Your Audience’s Body Language Subtly align your posture and gestures with the other person’s to create rapport. Avoid mimicking; instead, aim for natural alignment that signals connection and empathy. 5. Exude Calm and Confidence Slow your movements and avoid rapid or erratic gestures to project calm authority. Take controlled breaths to maintain composure, especially in high-stakes situations. 6. Align Facial Expressions with Your Message Smile genuinely to build warmth and trust, but ensure it aligns with the context. Use expressive eyebrows or subtle nods to show engagement and understanding. 7. Control Your Space Stand or sit firmly within your space to project presence and authority. Respect personal boundaries while subtly leaning in during conversations to show interest. 8. Pay Attention to Your Hands Keep hands visible; hiding them in pockets or behind your back can create mistrust. Use gestures like steepling (fingertips together) to convey confidence and thoughtfulness. 9. Watch Your Feet Placement Stand with feet shoulder-width apart for a grounded and confident stance. Avoid shifting weight excessively or pointing your feet toward the exit, which signals disengagement. 10. Adapt to Cultural Contexts Be mindful of cultural differences in body language and adjust accordingly. What may convey confidence in one culture might be perceived differently in another. Be mindful of your nonverbal cues and how they might be perceived. Record yourself or seek feedback to refine your body language for influential communication. Mastering these aspects of body language can enhance your ability to lead, persuade, and build meaningful connections. Nonverbal cues often speak louder than words—use them intentionally to leave a lasting impact!

Your body is negotiating before you say a word. And it might be sabotaging your deals. Harvard’s Program on Negotiation (PON) has studied this extensively: ↳ your body leaks information before you speak. It signals power or weakness. Confidence or doubt. Control or desperation. And if you’re unaware of these cues, your counterpart is already using them against you. After decades of studying negotiation, I’ve seen seasoned professionals lose deals... ... not because their logic was flawed but because their body language screamed uncertainty. I’ve also seen rookies own the room simply by mastering presence. Here’s how PON research suggests you can take control: 1️⃣ Eye Contact = Authority ✔ Maintain eye contact 60-70% of the time.  - Less? You seem unprepared or deceptive.  - Too much? You’re aggressive and overbearing.  ✔ Ideal: Hold eye contact for 3-5 seconds before looking away naturally.  ✔ Bonus tip: Combine eye contact with active listening cues—nodding, slight head tilts, and mirroring their facial expressions. 2️⃣ Mirroring = Influence ✔ Subtly match their posture, gestures, and tone to build unconscious trust.  ✔ But don’t overdo it—forced mirroring feels manipulative. Keep it natural and gradual. 3️⃣ Posture = Power ✔ Sit or stand with an open, expansive stance—it signals confidence.  ✔ Avoid crossing your arms or shrinking into your chair. It screams defensiveness.  ✔ Leaning in slightly? Engaged. Leaning back too much? Disinterested. 4️⃣ Attire = Framing ✔ Your clothing frames how people see you. - Too casual? You seem unprepared.  - Overdressed? You might come off as trying too hard.  ✔ Rule of thumb: Dress one level above your counterpart. Command respect without seeming out of place. The Deadliest Mistake? Your words say one thing. Your body says the opposite. Guess which one they believe? Negotiation isn’t just about logic. It’s about perception. Control your presence, or your opponent will. Have you ever judged a negotiator before they spoke? Let’s hear your stories in the comments. _____________________________ ♻️ Repost if your body language says you want to 😉