Communication

Are they not buying in? Do they feel attacked? Are they defensive or angry?

Sometimes your message is controversial or difficult for an audience to take. If your audience is defensive, they will symbolically protect themselves by shutting down, getting away, or attacking. They shut down by crossing their arms, legs, or ankles or by tightening their lips into a thin line. They may grimace and cover their mouths with their hands. They will "run" away by looking away, turning their head and upper torso away, or pointing their legs or feet toward the exit and exhaling quickly and loudly. They will symbolically attack by clenching the teeth, jaws, lips, or hands. They may square off the body to you in a confrontational way, putting their hands on their hips.

Are they resentful? Do they dislike you, your viewpoint, or the content?

If an audience feels injured or mistreated by you, your message, or the whole meeting, you may see them do the following: cross their arms, stiffen their back or limbs, grimace, look or turn away, or show the signs of anger mentioned above.

Do they doubt you or your claims? Do they think you're lying?

When someone is suspicious, he will look at you in a judging way. A suspicious person is trying to form an opinion. Her body shows her discomfort. Look for furrowed brows, squinting eyes, peering down, tilting the head, or tightening the lips, as if to stop a disparaging comment. If the audience does not believe you, you'll see grimacing and exhaling through clenched teeth, head-shaking, or a tight smile masking their displeasure.

Do they get it?

When audience members are excited and happy, they fill up with those good feelings. Look for a sudden shift, usually upward, and a big inhalation; a shift in weight, usually forward; or a bouncing or rocking motion.

Are they interested and excited?

The audience signals their interest by smiling, tilting the head (to hear better), furrowing the brow in concentration but not with a pained look, and by leaning forward and blinking (with excitement so as not to miss anything). They are "up" for what you are saying, so their overall posture will be up and attentive as well.

The next time you speak, try these tips and see if you can read your audience. By understanding their body language, you can tweak your presentation and ensure its success.

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