Non-verbal language or body language provides a lot of information about what you think without having to say a word . Communication between people is much richer than you can imagine and words are not always the protagonists. Gestures, looks or body movements also have a lot to say in these cases.

People pick up on more non-verbal language cues than they are aware of, in fact only 7% of communication is based on the words that are spoken. 30% comes from tone of voice and the remaining 55% from body language. Being aware of this will help you improve your communication in all aspects. Also, when you work hard and do everything you can to achieve your goals, anything that can give you an advantage is powerful and will simplify your path to success .

People with high emotional intelligence understand non-verbal language better and also control it accordingly. The next time you are in a meeting (or even on a date or playing with your children), you can watch out for the following signs because they will indicate things that words do not describe .

Arms and legs crossed

When the arms and legs are crossed, they indicate resistance to ideas . Crossed arms and legs are physical barriers that suggest that the other person is not open to what you are saying. Even if you smile and engage in pleasant conversation, your body language tells another story. 

Psychologically, crossed arms or legs indicate that a person is mentally, emotionally and physically blocked from what is in front of him. It is not intentional, which is why it is so revealing.

Real smiles

Real smiles crinkle eyes. When it comes to smiling , the mouth may lie but the eyes cannot.  Genuine smiles reach the eyes and wrinkle the skin to create crow’s feet around them. People often smile to hide what they really think and feel, so the next time you want to know if someone’s smile is genuine, look for wrinkles at the corners of their eyes. If they are not there, that smile is hiding something.

Copy body language

Have you ever been in a meeting with someone and noticed that every time you cross or uncross your legs, they do the same? Or maybe they tilt their head in the same way as yours when you speak? That is really a good sign. Mirroring body language is something we do unconsciously when we feel a bond with the other person. It is a sign that the conversation is going well and that the other party is receptive to your message. This knowledge can be especially helpful when you are negotiating, because it shows you what the other person is really thinking about the deal.

The posture

Have you ever seen a person walk into a room and immediately knew that they were in charge? This effect is mainly due to body language, and often includes an upright posture, gestures made with the palms down, and open and expansive gestures in general. The brain is created to equate power with the amount of space people take up. 

Standing straight with your shoulders back is a position of power; seems to maximize the amount of space you fill. Crouching, on the other hand, is the result of collapsing your form; it seems to take up less space and projects less energy. Maintaining good posture demands respect and promotes commitment, whether you are a leader or not .

Lying eyes

Most of us probably grew up hearing, “Look me in the eye when you talk to me!” Our parents were operating on the assumption that it is difficult to keep someone’s gaze when you lie to them, and they were right to a certain extent. But that’s such common knowledge that people often deliberately make eye contact in an attempt to hide the fact that they are lying. 

The problem is that most of them overcompensate and maintain eye contact to the point of being uncomfortable. On average, people maintain eye contact for seven to ten seconds, longer when we listen than when we speak. If you are talking to someone whose gaze is making you squirm, especially if they are very still and unblinking, something is happening and they may be lying to you .