by DianeD

Created on: February 26, 2009

When conversing with one or more people, or when in the process of giving a speech to an audience, the ability to recognize body language communication is crucial. Since body language is generally a more honest response to a comment or topic of conversation than a verbal response, the aware speaker will not only know when the conversation is interesting, but will be able to tell when it is time to change the subject; a few tips can be helpful.

The Interested Listener

A sure sign that a listener is interested in a conversation is when the person leans in or forward toward the person speaking. They are being brought into the speaker's space, showing they are open to the conversation. They may also nod their head in a positive motion, signaling a fascination or concern for the subject matter.

Making eye contact also denotes interest. If a listener intently watches the person speaking, their mind is probably not shifting to other thoughts. If an audience is involved, the speaker can tell who is interested by the sets of eyes following them as they move around the stage.

The speaker also needs to carefully consider their own eye contact. When speaking to one or more people, if the person speaking looks down or away from the people in the conversation, the listener(s) may have cause to wonder if the person talking is telling the truth. Law enforcement officials use this technique when interviewing possible criminals. The majority of people have a difficult time looking someone in the eye and lying.

You've Lost Them

Some people tend to ramble on and on thinking that because they are interested in what they are saying, everyone else must be also; this is not always the case.

A sure sign of boredom is when the listener checks their watch frequently, or gazes out the window or in another direction away from the speaker. Their mind is obviously preoccupied with other thoughts.

Constant body movement such as tapping one's fingernails on the table, crossing and uncrossing their legs, or changing their sitting position frequently should also tell the person speaking the listener can't wait for the conversation to be over.

An undeniable sign that the subject matter is offensive or the listener has a disagreement with the speaker's opinion is if the listener leans away from the person talking and folds their arms. They are letting the speaker know they are not in agreement and/or are closed to discussing the subject. Don't push it; this signal expresses that the conversation could become confrontational.

When speaking with one person, several people, or an audience, using these simple tips will help anyone improve their communication skills.

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