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Building Trust through body language
Trust is at the core of every time of human transaction, whether it’s in business, family matters, or with a romantic partner. Take Thomas Bach, when he was elected President of the IOC in 2013. Look at his response to the announcement and his confident, calm style. For me, this conveys that sense of trust that he must have secured from those voting for him.
If you want to get hired or voted onto a Committee, IOC or otherwise,
you need to inspire trust. If you want to make a sale, the prospect has to trust you. To get anyone to listen to your message, they have to feel that you are honest and wont double cross them.
Here are five top tips on how to get people to trust you by using the right body language.
1. The best way
The best way to get someone to like you is to win their trust. Like and trust are first cousins.
We generally don’t like people who we don’t trust. And we tend to trust people we like.
You can’t get someone to trust you by saying “Trust me.” In fact if you say that they’ll immediately become suspicious of you! The best way to get other people to trust you is by using body language cues.
Experts say is takes just a few seconds to make a first impression. Either way, the process begins immediately – even before you speak. You’re already communicating - through your body language.
2. Smile
Give a heartfelt and teeth-showing smile.
This says to the other person, “You can relax and feel safe with me.” Women are generally better at this than men.
To practise, pretend you’ve just bumped into a friend you haven’t seen in years, or pretend you’ve just been introduced to a celebrity you’ve long admired. Reproduce that smile and for a few days, practise using it when you meet people. Pay attention to its effect on them.
3. Handshake
Use a handshake to intensify the moment.
A strong handshake is absolutely essential, no matter what the gender. You’ve heard this tip before, I know, but I still stress its importance. But this gesture is for more than meeting people for the first time. A handshake when ending a conversation delivers a physical punctuation mark that makes your conversation more memorable.
Also, shake hands when thanking or congratulating someone and on completing an agreement.
Adding your name to a handshake when meeting someone makes them 75% more likely to remember your name.
4. Mirror
Mirror the speaker’s sentiments.
It’s incredibly affirming for a speaker when the listener shows that he or she is following the conversation and that the speaker’s words are making an impact.
You show this by nodding, which says, in effect, “Go on, I’m engaged” or by making expressions that are aligned with the speaker’s emotions: squinting when the speaker’s conveying irritation, frowning when the speaker is sad, smiling when the message is upbeat and tilting your head to left to express sympathy.
5. Watch your distance
The distance you maintain between you and others can be a big difference in their level of comfort with you- and as such, their willingness to trust you.
Pay attention to how close someone stand or sits next to you to determine if they view you favourably.
Standing or sitting in close proximity to someone is perhaps one of the best indicators of rapport. However, if someone backs up or moves away when you move in closer, this could be a sign that the connection is not mutual.
There are four main social distances:-
- Public zone: more than 12 feet from others
- Social zone: 4 to 12 feet
- Personal zone: 1 ½ to 4 feet
- Intimate zone: Less than 1 ½ feet
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