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Nonverbal communication: 10 tricks for more salary
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Before salary negotiations, feedback appointments and job interviews, you think a thousand thoughts about what to say. It (almost) does not play a role. Much more important is non-verbal communication.
by Marie Stadler
It’s actually no secret: WHAT we say is basically not that important. This applies not only to work, but also to bringing up children, relationships, friendships, lectures and, oh, in all of life. According to research, 55 percent of us communicate through body language, 38 percent through language and voice and a measly 7 percent through the content of the verbal message. Nevertheless, in the end you somehow always think more about the WHAT than the HOW. Especially when it comes to wages, women often push around terribly and think that a little self-confident talk could undo the non-verbal rumblings. But it does not. At least not when our body says something completely different than “I am worth more!”.
Our 10 tips for a successful non-verbal appearance:
01. HOW YOU ENTER A ROOM SAYS A LOT
The way you walk into a room says a lot about you. Do you crouch Are you chuckling with nervousness? Do you look scared? Are you devoting more time than necessary to the doorknob? Just imagine you step on a stage. Spot on and smile!
02. DRESS FOR THE JOB YOU WANT
People tend to believe what you think about yourself. Do you think you should have more customer contact? Then dress like you already have this. So you are more likely to be trusted.
03. THE INVISIBLE THREADS SHOW THE WAY
Imagine that there are two small threads on the top of your head and on your chest that are constantly taut. And bang, you’ll be in the perfect posture.
04. MAKE YOURSELF STRAIGHT
Nothing is worse for your standing than a crouched victim posture. Shoulder back, head up, use the airspace. He is yours.
05. DO NOT PROTECT. YOU DON’T NEED THAT.
Crossed arms, crossed hands, knotted legs … when you stand in a protective position, you express fear. Much better: Openly show your vulnerable parts of the body, i.e. throat and chest. A silly holdover from times when the stronger just hit the weaker with a club. Whoever showed chest and throat openly did not fear a club. But even if it’s silly. It works.
06. STAY FOCUSED
Sovereignty begins with being focused. Just don’t digress and prepare the next sentence. If you don’t stay in the conversation mentally, you lose your sovereignty.
07. KEEP EYE CONTACT
Also a thing from the animal kingdom, to which we ultimately belong. Whoever keeps eye contact wins. If both win in the end, so much the better.
08. AVOID PRIVATISMS
We all have privacy. What is that? Just some strange habits. For example, brushing hair off your face all the time. Or crack with your fingers. All of this has no place at work because – as the name suggests – it is private and that is the opposite of professional in many professional groups.
09. AGREE TO YOURSELF
Deep, firm voices are automatically assigned to particularly confident and successful people. Use that and hum your way through the world as deeply as possible. You can always control your voice a bit. And it’s worth it, because squeaky voices unfortunately always seem a bit incompetent.
10. DO NOT THINK ABOUT YOUR STANDING BEFORE THE NEGOTIATION
Not observing all of these rules until the day of the salary negotiation is of little use. Even if the environment at work feels very cozy and warm, you can still make a little effort to present the deep-hummed and invulnerable queen instead of leaving the scepter to the mouse. If everything goes well, the ruble will soon be rolling.