If you find yourself getting overpowered by others easily then it must be time to learn to adopt a more assertive body language. It helps you get taken more seriously and also be respected.
Learning how to be assertive is not difficult, but it does take some practice to make it feel natural. So if you’re interested, read more for a few tips to help you learn to have a more confident and assertive body language.
5 steps for a more assertive body language:
1. Maintain eye contact when interacting with others:
First, it is important to make eye contact. Maintaining eye contact is one of the most important steps to having more assertive body language. When we maintain eye contact, it shows others that we are confident and engaged in the conversation.
It also conveys our interest in the other person and the topic at hand. Additionally, maintaining eye contact can help to build rapport and trust.
When we avoid eye contact, it can come across as disinterest, shyness, nervousness, or even rudeness. So, if you want to project confidence and authority, make sure to keep your eyes up and focused on the person you’re talking to.
2. Always use a clear voice:
Another important step to having more assertive body language is always using a clear voice. This means speaking at a normal volume, not too high-pitched or too soft, and with a serious note. You want people to be able to hear and understand you, but you don’t want to shout. So finding the right balance is primordial.
Another tip is to avoid using filler words like “um” or “like.” This makes it sound like you’re unsure of yourself and what you’re saying. If you’re used to using such words then it can be hard to drop the habit so quickly. However, with enough practice and effort, it can become possible.
Using clear language and a clear voice can easily impose respect on others and it will also show that you’re confident and engaged in the conversation.
3. Use body and hand movements to help express your ideas and thoughts:
A third and important step to having a more assertive body language on our list is to simply use your body and hand movements to help express your ideas and thoughts. Gestures can be used to emphasize a point or to draw attention to something.
For example, you may point to an object or person when you are talking about them, or you may wave your arms around when you are excited about something. Using body language in this way can help you to be more assertive, and can also help to keep the people around you more engaged in the conversation.
Finally, always keep your posture straight and avoid fidgeting. This will make you appear more serious and in control. If you can master this simple tip combined with the ones listed above, then you’ll be halfway on your journey to having a more assertive presence and body language.
4. Do not hesitate to express your emotions using your body language:
If you want to show disapproval or if you disagree with someone then do not hesitate to cross your arms, take a step back or simply express dissatisfaction using your facial expressions. On the other hand, if someone said something funny or playful then do not hesitate to toss your head to the back in laughter.
The bottom line here is that you should not be afraid to express your emotions through your body language and let it reflect your mood. People who pretend and hide how they feel spend more time overthinking things or worrying and it eventually consumes them and causes exhaustion. So why not just be yourself and express your emotions as you see fit, without fear of judgment or any unnecessary shyness?
Being easy to read can help the people that care about you make sure that you’re happy and comfortable at all times. It also enables them to look out for you and to keep up with how you’re doing and what you’re going through. This also allows communication to be smoother which strengthens relationships a lot.
5. Find the right balance between being sweet but not a people pleaser:
There’s a fine line between not wanting to be taken advantage of and being rude. Perhaps you don’t want to say yes to everything and be a people pleaser but at the same time, you don’t want to be rude and tell people off at any chance you get. This is understandable and a common dilemma for many people that overthink their social character and the image they reflect of themselves.
People pleasers tend to have low self-esteem and are often content with whatever crumbs they can get from others. Assertive people are the opposite; they are confident and know their worth. They don’t take crap from anyone, but they also don’t go around trying to step on other people to get ahead.
With enough practice, self-awareness, and life experience you will eventually learn to find that happy medium, and you’ll be on your way to having more success both professionally and personally. In the end, it is important that you always keep an eye on your body language as it can affect greatly your relationships and can even make or break your career, social life and even love life!