Watch Oprah Winfrey And Reese Witherspoon: Learn How Body Language Can Make You A Great Communicator

Did you know that using your hands properly while communicating can increase the effectiveness of your message by up to 60%? This is just one example of how we can communicate without using spoken words. In fact, before the spoken word existed, our ancestors communicated effectively using a language that is important even today. Body language.

What is Body Language?

Psychology Today describes body language as a “silent orchestra.” Non-verbal messages, including body movements, facial expressions, vocal tone and volume, displays of emotion, hand gestures, movements and posture that give clues to what we’re thinking and feeling. All these signs register in the human brain of your audience almost immediately, coloring the way you are perceived and the way the information you’re sharing is interpreted.

These Women are Fluent in Body Language

We use our bodies to communicate all the time. The women in these video clips show us important ways to easily improve our skills, making us more effective, impactful and engaging communicators.

#1 Hand Gestures

Hand gestures add emphasis but to be effective they need to be in sync with what you are saying. Using your hands in any way that is disconnected to your message will only be distracting.

In this video, Morgan Stanley’s Carla Harris is sharing career advice and begins with the easiest of hand gestures - using your fingers to count. Effective speakers use corresponding gestures with the fingers of one hand any time they enumerate a list. This informs the listener that a list is coming, helps organize the information and makes it easier to remember the content.

She also uses the popular “hand steeple.” This shows confidence without appearing threatening, and experts say the higher the steeple, the more confident the speaker appears. Near the end of the clip, she uses the finger point, actually pointing one finger toward the camera to make her message more emphatic.

Throughout the video, Harris’ hand gestures appear intentional and connected to her words and are therefore quite effective. By the way, Harris also creates a distinct “signature” by always wearing pearls as she shares her now famous “pearls of wisdom.” Another great tactic.

#2 Eye Contact

Oprah Winfrey wins the prize for best eye contact. Eye contact connects you to the listener and makes them feel you’re speaking with them, not at them. But there is a nuance to eye contact. Scan the room too quickly and it conveys a sense of nervousness. Gaze too long in someone’s eyes and they may feel awkward.

In this video, Winfrey does a great job dividing the room into 3 sections, sort of like pizza slices. She looks intently at each section while completing a phrase. Then she moves on to another phrase and another section. At around the 30 second mark in the clip, she actually removes her glasses, eliminating the barrier between her and her audience so they can truly see “eye to eye.”

#3 Strategic Movement on Stage

Watching someone simply stand at a podium and read a speech can be a surefire recipe for boredom. Lily Singh is a great example of a woman who knows how to move effectively on stage. In this TED Talk about gender equality the trailblazing actress doesn’t pace, which can convey a sense of nervousness. Rather, she moves intentionally, pausing in one spot to emphatically finish her thought. When she is moving on to the next part of a story or starting a new thought, she resumes her movement.

Singh also demonstrates an effective way to use props on stage. While talking about “taking a seat at the table” (around the 7:45 mark), she approaches the table and chair on stage and says, “And I remember thinking now…now, I’ve been invited to the big table and now things will be different. So, I took my seat.” And with that, Singh confidently sat at what appears to simply be a prop on a stage. It was an emphatic, powerful demonstration of a pivotal point in her life.

#4 Facial Expressions

Because facial expressions are one of the most obvious forms of nonverbal communications, they can be either highly impactful or downright distracting. To do it right, your facial expressions must complement your content. If you’re speaking about hope or retelling a joyful story, for example, a slight smile and soft brow is appropriate. If you’re talking about your company’s lackluster performance or telling a cautionary tale, a more somber expression and raised brow will help land your message. And, importantly, it’s imperative that you alter your facial expressions throughout your talk to keep your audience engaged and connected.

Michelle Obama is an expert at using her face to connect with her audience and send her message home. In her final speech as First Lady, she starts off with a somewhat serious tone until she says, “So, for all the young people in this room and for those who are watching know that this country belongs to you.” And with that, she softens her face and offers a warm and reassuring smile. The listener instantly feels hope and connection with Obama, paving the way for the remainder of the speech. She resumes a serious tone, raising her eyebrows as she says, “If you or your parents are immigrants, know that you are a part of a proud American tradition.” And then, “With a lot of hard work and a good education, anything is possible. Even becoming president.” And with that, she softens and offers the audience a broad and genuine smile. The listener can’t help smiling herself.

#5 Posture

When your grandmother told you to sit up straight, she may have been on to something. Posture is important.

First, think about carrying yourself in a way that takes up space - like a peacock that fans its feathers or a cobra that expands its neck. Taking up space makes you seem more important, more formidable, more like an expert. Conversely, postures that make you smaller diminish your impact. Avoid folding your arms across your chest or slouching; that makes you appear small and closed off, which creates a barrier with your audience.

One easy option is to assume a version of the Wonder Woman pose - legs slightly apart, shoulders back and hands confidently on your hips or in your pockets. This will not only make you appear confident, but it will also help level the height imbalance many women feel when surrounded by men and will give you a feeling of power. Beyoncé and Reese Witherspoon have nailed that pose!

Body language is just as important as what you say when it comes to effective communications. So, while preparing your remarks or prepping for an important conversation, take some time to choreograph the nonverbal parts of your talk. It’s the difference between being just a good speaker and being a great one.