Veterinarians – The Importance of Body Language

We know what the term “body language” refers to, but do you know just how much we use body language?

We speak this unspoken language about 93% of the time. Nonverbal and unspoken, body language is used every single time we interact with another person. These signals are picked up by the human eye and translated. We can figure out how a person feels and some of what they may be thinking by watching mannerisms and gestures. Around 80% of your responses in a conversation are conveyed to others using body language. It’s a very effective tool when it comes to reading someone’s emotions, giving feedback, and getting people to trust and like us.

When handling clients, your actions speak louder than words.

If you want to show power, confidence, and authority remember these tips:

• Use a slow paced easy tone of voice when speaking
• Use a low pitched voice or an otherwise soft pitch
• Leaning back in your chair supporting your head with your hands
• When you swing your arms in a forceful manner while walking solidly
• Maintaining eye contact, making certain that you don’t look below that person’s mouth
• Placing the fingertips but not your hands together while speaking

The way to avoid domination and arrogance when dealing with employees and clients:

• Don’t intentionally elevate yourself above others
• (Men) Don’t sit forward with legs splayed

When dealing with clients, you can usually find out everything that you need to know not by listening to their words so much as speech pattern and body language. Be careful that your own body language doesn’t give you away.

Detect a client’s nervousness by:

• When the handshake is loose or too quick
• Tapping of their feet
• Clenching and unclenching of their fists
• Crossed legs while standing

If you suspect that the client is lying or withholding information:

• They blink a lot
• Clear their throat or swallow repeatedly
• Avoid most eye contact
• Keep their hands buried in their pockets

These movements show your suspicion or doubt of the client:

• Touching the nose
• Arms across chest
• Clutching eyes or rubbing them too much
• Glancing away or down

If you pay close enough attention, you can also find out how your client is feeling about the information that you are giving them.

If they are feeling positive about your ideas, they will:

• Smile a lot
• Have unclenched hands
• Hands may be flat on a table top

Frustration is displayed by:

• The bridge of the nose will often be pinched between fingers
• Playing with jewelry
• Scratching or rubbing the back of the neck

The client is bored when they:

• Become restless or yawn
• Cross and uncross their legs
• Using their hands to support their head
• Pull on their ears