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Taken from my previous Toastmaster Speech about body language. Knowing how to control your body language will help you to win in your interview.

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My fellow Toastmasters & Guest,

I had a tough time preparing this speech just because this assignment required me to practice body language and at the same time deliver an interesting speech. What I’m going to share in the next 6-7 minutes is to start with a brief introduction of body language. Followed by some examples of its application in our daily life and what we can do to be good it in.

Body language is just alike any other verbal or written language where its main purpose is as a tool for us to communicate with each other. The uniqueness of body language is that it can be used to communicate with anyone even they talk or write in totally different languages. A bang on the table and a grinch in your face means you are angry and regardless anywhere you go, people will know that you are angry even if you do not say anything. To a certain extend, it is even harder to lie using your body language where your true colours will reveal who you really are. This is the power of body language that many do not realize and it is an important tool for us to learn and master in our life.

Rishi, do you know that more than half of our communication is based on our body language? He is nodding his head which means he knows that we always use our body language when we communicate. Now, Usha imagine if you are in a situation where someone just entered into this room and start talking to Hock Chye while I’m standing here delivering my speech. Without saying anything, spontaneously you will look at that person and raising your index finger touching your mouth and make the shoo sound is another example of a body language. Peng Yew, who felt disgusted with this distraction, will look straight at that person with a disgusted face. That person who felt guilty will raise up his hand to apologies and as silently as possible will move back to find an empty seat. Well, all that happen without saying a single word but all of us understood what each of us means. Obviously, most of the time we are communicating with each other non-verbally and that is happening every time in our daily life.

By now, we should realize that our body language plays an important role in our communication. The way we reacted and our facial expression not only will tell how we feel but also will reflect our true identity. Fail to control it will open up our can of worms. So how can we control our body language?

Recently I just read a book titled “Listening Leader”. In this book, overall it teaches how to be a good listener. One of the skills taught is called “SIER” which stands for Sensing, Interpreting, Evaluating & Response. Even though this book is all about verbal communication but I think “SIER” can also be used in our body language. Going back to the example of banging on the table. When I did that, you will be “Sensing” the sound and my hand gesture banging on the table. Your mind will spontaneously “Interpret” that I am angry. At the same time you will also start “Evaluating” what is your next reaction, either to come over and ask me why I’m angry or maybe just ignore me. When you decided to take the action, this is where you “Responded” to me. Without realizing it, you have taken the steps in “SIER”. Understanding how “SIER” works not only will help you to control your reaction but also helps on how you express your body language. If you are aware your every action will be sensed, interpreted, evaluated and responded, you will be more careful on how you express yourself non-verbally. Having that in mind and with some practice, your mind will automatically think on what you are going to do and the effect of it before actually doing it. With that, you will improve on how to control your body language.

Like any form of communication, body language is just a tool. Your intention will be revealed even how good you are controlling to hide it. Hence, always be truthful to yourself and to anyone around you and always be yourself. “SIER” is also a tool which can help you be a good communicator as long your intention is good.

With that, thank you for listening.