How do you know if a community resident is interested in what you are saying? If you’re perceived as being self-confident?

Here are four tips that will help you to be more aware of body language in the workplace, as well as what to practice on your own:

1. What might happen when a community resident is turned off by what you are saying? He or she may lean back; furrow the forehead; or sit with their feet pointing towards the door.These are some of the signs they may signal a resident does not want to do business with you. If you recognized these signs, you may want to immediately change your tactic or confront the resident directly by saying, “It seems you may have some concerns about our service. What questions can I answer that might help you?”

2. What should you do if you need to have good face-to-face contact? Do not stare at a person or look him or her in the eye as that is disconcerting and a myth. Instead, look at the person's eyes for two seconds, the nose for two seconds, the mouth for two seconds, and then the entire face for two seconds. Keep doing this throughout the conversation as it makes you seem approachable and softens your gaze.

3. Is there a benefit to keeping your head up? If you pretend there is a string holding your head up, it will automatically give you a better head posture. Also make sure that your shoulders are pulled back as people with good posture look like winners with confidence.

4. Is it true that body language is not only nonverbal but verbal as well? Be interested, not just interesting! Ask the person you are talking with questions and only speak of yourself as it relates to what the person says. Then bring the conversation back to him or her.