7 body language tips to make sure people take you seriously

Is your body language screaming ‘amateur’?

Once upon a time, a group of rising-star executives gathered at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to take part in a special competitive event. Each was to present a business plan to be evaluated by the entire group. The best ideas would then be recommended to a team of venture capitalists for final evaluation. Participants saw this as a great opportunity to see how their ideas compared to those of others in an elite peer group.

If you had been one of those chosen executives, how would you have prepared for the event? Would you have concentrated on formulating a coherent description of your business plan? Developed a strategy for convincing others? Practiced your presentation skills?

The executives at the MIT event probably did all of these. But on the day of the competition, an additional component was added to the mix, one nobody had prepared for. Each presenter was outfitted with a specially-designed digital sensor, worn like an ID badge.

This device, called a “Sociometer,” would be taking notes on each presentation but not on the merits of what was being said. Unbeknownst to the presenters, the Sociometer would be recording what wasn’t being said: tonal variety, vocal nuance, physical activity, energy levels, even the number of smiles and nods exchanged between presenter and audience.

At the end of the meeting, the group selected the ideas they agreed would sell best. And, with no knowledge of any actual content, the Sociometer readings also predicted (with about 87 per cent accuracy) which business plans would be chosen. That’s because, while the group thought they were making rational choices, the researchers at the MIT Media Lab who had developed the digital device knew better. What convinced the executive group is the same set of signals that also predict the outcome of any business presentation you may give: body language and nonverbal interactions.

That doesn’t mean content doesn’t matter. It does. But if your delivery doesn’t support your message, the message rarely gets a fair hearing. That matters even more now. Those signals show up instantly and are judged just as quickly.

In my work as a leadership communication coach, I emphasize the importance of delivering a well-written speech that has an inspiring vision, engaging stories, self-deprecating humour, and personalized examples. But I also know that leaders can sabotage a great presentation if they underestimate or ignore the power of body language.

Here are seven of the most important tips for effective body language on stage and on screen, where many of your most important presentations now take place:

1. Manage your stress level

Notice the tension in your body as you wait to start your presentation. Some nervous energy is useful. Too much works against you.

Before you go on stage or turn on your camera, centre your weight. Look straight ahead with your chin level and relax your throat. Take several deep belly breaths. Count slowly to six as you inhale and tense your muscles. As you exhale, release and relax.

On screen, tension shows up quickly, especially on your face. If people see it, they read it and they start to question your confidence before you’ve even made your point.

2. Get emotional

Focus on the emotion behind your message, what you feel and what you want them to feel.

Flat delivery makes even a strong idea sound weak.

3. Make a confident entrance

Stay relaxed. Walk out with good posture, head held high, and a steady gait. When you reach centre stage, stop, smile, and look around the room.

In a virtual setting, your entrance happens the moment your camera turns on. Be ready. Look into the camera, not down at your notes. People decide quickly whether you are worth listening to—and it happens before you say a word.

4. Maintain eye contact

Maintain steady eye contact throughout your talk. Without it, you signal a lack of commitment or, worse, that you have something to hide.

Don’t scan the room aimlessly. Lock in on individuals or small groups, hold for a moment, then move on.

In virtual presentations, eye contact means looking into the camera lens not at the faces on your screen. It may feel unnatural, but it’s the only way your audience experiences real connection.

5. Ditch the podium

Get out from behind the podium. It hides your body and creates a barrier between you and your audience.

Know your material well enough that you don’t need to rely on notes. If you do use notes, keep them brief and off to the side.

If you’re reading from your screen, people can tell and they stop listening.

6. Talk with your hands

Your hands should tell the same story your words do. If they don’t, people believe the hands.

On camera, keep gestures visible and controlled within the frame.

7. Move

Move with a reason. If you’re just pacing, people notice and they tune out.

On stage, step toward the audience to emphasize a point. Stop and hold your ground when delivering something important.

On screen, movement is subtler. A slight shift in posture, a lean forward, or a deliberate pause can have the same effect.

Whether you are on a stage or on a screen, the fundamentals are the same. Your audience is always reading what you don’t say. And judging you on it.

Dr. Carol Kinsey Goman is an expert in nonverbal communication, body language, and leadership presence. She is a speaker, author, and executive coach who works with business leaders and organizations to improve their communication and leadership skills. Goman has written several books, including STAND OUT: How to Build Your Leadership Presence, which explores how nonverbal cues impact leadership effectiveness. With a background in psychology, she combines research in neuroscience with practical insights to help leaders understand the power of body language in building trust, influencing others, and fostering collaboration.