“Actions speak louder than words” is a phrase we have heard more than just once. Over the years, there are many things which people have told us over and over. We know the theory but don’t know how to execute it practically.  We all want to influence people, to be likeable, to be a good role model and leader. But the steps towards that are unknown. Just being aware of many idioms and reading quotes and motivational lines isn’t enough to impress the world. We need to know how to play with people’s minds to influence them. And non-verbal communication is the easiest and most fool-proof way of doing that.

Here are 4 non-verbal techniques you can easily master and use them to influence people easily.

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1. Good Manners

Small incidences often add up to form an opinion. Good gestures can go a long way in making a good impression. Be it holding the door open for someone, smiling and nodding to greet a person when you pass by them in the halls or just a casual word of “Hey how are you doing” can make people like you a lot. It doesn’t take much of our time to greet someone or acknowledge them. But that small gesture will stay in their minds and many small gestures together will build up to form an excellent image of you as a person. So next time, don’t ignore that person walking by you at the corridor, smile at him and start building a good image of yourself in others minds.

2. Use Your Eyes

Maintaining eye contact with the person you are speaking to, improves your communication skills immensely. It shows you are deeply involved in the conversation and want the other person to listen to what you are saying. The best way to make someone listen to you is showing them that you are intent on holding their attention, isn’t it? Be careful though, you don’t want to seem too intimidating!

3. Hand Gestures While Speaking

Holding our hands behind our backs while speaking is a very common mistake. It generally arises out of nervousness and anxiety. Overcoming this is key to making a good impression. Only kids in school hold their hands behind their backs while they stand. Broad, smooth and frequent hand gestures make you seem confident and involved. Often good actors are good speakers. The reason behind this is that they know how to utilize the stage to the fullest extent. Standing still does not come naturally to them and they automatically move around. Gestures are an effective tool to make good conversations and speeches.

4. Touch

An appropriate touch at the right time, which says, “I care” speaks much more than a long explanation about you actually caring. A pat on the back or a comforting hand on a shoulder really screams out your emotions in an effective way. A firm handshake shows you are confident and extroverted.

5. Don’t Be a Slowpoke

Imagine a person who speaks very slowly, takes a lot of time to come to the point and drags every tiny detail. No one likes those people. Talking fast and executing things fast is an effective way to show that you are proactive. Being energetic exudes energy into others around you. Laugh out, make jokes and always be attentive and alert. It easily influences those around you to be the same.

6. A Smile Is What Takes You That Extra Mile

Joyful, happy people are always liked. No one likes a person with a grim expression who is serious all the time. Smile generously during a conversation. It can be deceptively charming. A smile can diffuse tensions and break barriers. People who smile are always more approachable and likeable.

Communicating is something everyone who knows how to speak a language can achieve. But, effective communication is something that needs to be learnt, practiced and mastered eventually. Go out there and start experimenting!