Have you ever been told that you appear unapproachable or unfriendly, and you have no idea why? Sometimes we don’t know that our facial expressions or body language are like a wall, keeping others out instead of a bridge, connecting with others.
Here are five ways you can appear more approachable and friendly without saying a word:
- Movement: Are you a fast walker? When you walk with a quick pace, you send the signal to others that you are in a rush and don’t have time to engage with them. Perhaps you are task-oriented and thinking about the next task you need to do rather than connecting with those around you. Leadership expert, John Maxwell says, “Walk slowly through the crowd.” People who have the best connections with others are the ones who walk with a slower pace. A pace that allows them time to connect, and signals to others they want to connect.
- Initiate Eye Contact: Many people feel awkward making eye contact with strangers; however, when you initiate warm eye contact, you show that you are friendly and approachable. When you give someone eye contact, you are acknowledging them. When you avoid eye contact, it is the same as ignoring them.
- Pleasant expression and polite smile: This should always go along with initiating warm eye contact.
- The direction of your torso and feet: Body language experts agree that the direction of one’s torso and feet reveal the direction of their attention. Simply angle your torso and feet towards those you want to show friendliness and approachability. Although others may not consciously recognize this sign as friendly body language, they subconsciously will receive it as a positive sign.
- Maintain open posture with your arms and hands: Keep your hands open instead of clinched, and your arms open instead of crossed or tight against your body. When you signal with your body language that you are “open”, you are showing friendliness and approachability.
Many times, others wait to be approached, so when you combine the above signals with taking the initiative to approach others, you will be well on your way to appearing friendly and approachable.
