21 Ways You Can Influence People Without Speaking A Word

Sometimes silence is the most eloquent reply.

The gift of the gab is not the only way to influence people. Infact, the unwritten rule of communication states that effective communication is 7% verbal and 93% non verbal. (body language 55% and tone of voice 38%).

So, are you ready to understand the science behind non-verbal communication and how you can influence people without speaking a word?

Read on.

1. Let the other person speak first. It makes them like you more

BODY-LANGUAGE-9
Image source

Be a good listener. It doesn’t mean that you are not assertive. It just means that the person you allowed to speak first will come to like you even more, just because of this small gesture.

Fact Source

 

2. Don’t use a smartphone while talking or before meeting a person

BODY-LANGUAGE-2
Image source

You may love surfing on your beloved smartphone, but handheld devices affect our mood and confidence. If you have an important meeting or date, it is preferable that you do not use handheld devices a few hours before the meet.

Fact Source

 

3. Nod. People like nodding.

BODY-LANGUAGE-17
Image source

Nodding makes a positive impression when you talk. Nodding also makes the other person nod too and eventually, they will agree with almost whatever you say.

Very helpful in meetings and interviews.

Fact Source

 

4. Copy their movements, it opens them up to you

BODY-LANGUAGE-14
Image source

Mirroring other people’s movements is also very flattering to them subconsciously. It closes hostilities and makes you appear very friendly to them. So, if your date has crossed their legs, it is advisable for you to cross them too.

Fact Source

 

5. Stand up above the crowd to speak. It puts you in a dominant position

BODY-LANGUAGE-21
Image source

Standing up makes you more assertive and dominant, especially when you are in front of a crowd of people sitting on chairs. Stand up even when you are talking over the phone. You will automatically feel more dominant.

Fact Source

 

6. Use gestures when you speak

BODY-LANGUAGE-8
Image source

Research has shown that people who use gestures when they give talks are judged to be more efficient and influential.

But use meaningful hand gestures that convey the point across, not some random hand acrobatics in the air.

Fact Source

 

7. Make and maintain eye contact

BODY-LANGUAGE-3
Image source

Just gazing into people’s eyes can make you fall in love. Imagine what looking into them for some time can do. Maintaining eye contact is an important trick you can use to put your point across more strongly.

Fact Source

 

8. Take a look at wrinkles on foreheads. They also matter.

BODY-LANGUAGE-12
Image source

The more forehead wrinkles a person has, the more open he/she is going to be. Raising eyebrows is a characteristic of an open person.

Next time, pay attention to this too.

Fact Source

 

9. Lean in while talking to a person.

BODY-LANGUAGE-19
Image source

Just by leaning in, you can take a lead in a conversation. Reducing the space between you and the person you are talking to makes you look influential.

Fact Source

 

10. There’s a thing called power posture

BODY-LANGUAGE-16
Image source

Standing in a power pose increases your influence on others. It also calms your nerves and makes you confident.

Fact Source

 

11. And a winner’s posture too

BODY-LANGUAGE-6
Image source

Winners hold their chests out and shoulder broad. Losers slouch. The next time you start losing a match, do not slouch at all. Be mindful of your body language. Just by standing tall and broad, you may as well turn the match around.

Fact Source

 

12. Use pumpkin and lavender perfumes to woo men

BODY-LANGUAGE-15
Image source

The smell of pumpkin and lavender turn men on.

Fact Source

 

13. Pay attention to the pupils in their eyes

BODY-LANGUAGE-18
Image source

Pupils contract and dilate automatically. You have little control over them. Always notice their pupils when you converse with people. It is an excellent source of feedback. If they dilate, it means that they are impressed by you, and if they contract – it is time to change the subject.

Fact Source

 

14. Wear blue to appear more trustworthy

BODY-LANGUAGE-1
Image source

The color blue is associated with trust, security, and cleanliness. Whereas red is associated with power, energy, and passion. Every color is associated with different qualities. Use them before dressing up for the day, as the situation calls for it.

Fact Source

 

15. Watch their eye movements too

BODY-LANGUAGE-22
Image source

While talking, if you shift your gaze somewhere, look closely if the follow your gaze or not. If they do, it means that they are impressed, and if they don’t, they still have conservative feelings for you.

Fact Source

 

16. Touch them lightly on their arms and shoulders

BODY-LANGUAGE-13
Image source

Touching a person you are talking to lightly and innocuously makes them more receptive to you. A study showed that waiters who touched their customers at a restaurant on their arms and shoulder received more tips than your regular waiter.

Fact Source

 

17. Look at the time of the day when you talk to people. People lie according to the time of the day too

BODY-LANGUAGE-5
Image source

If you are scheduled for a meeting or a date, choose the time of meeting carefully. Studies have shown that humans tend to change behavior according to time of the day.

Morning people tend to be dishonest during the evenings and the night owls tend to lie during the mornings.

Fact Source

 

18. Occupy more space and spread out. It is a show of success and domination

BODY-LANGUAGE-11
Image source

The next time you sit or stand in front of people, take up space. Appearing bigger makes a better impression on people.

This is the reason taller people tend to be more successful than shorter people.

Fact Source

 

19. Sigh if you want to get attention

BODY-LANGUAGE-20
Image source

Sighing makes the other person automatically go, “What’s wrong?”

If you want to get a person concerned around you, you should sigh.

Fact Source

 

20. Keep a look out for personal space. Sometimes it is welcomed, sometimes it is not.

BODY-LANGUAGE-4
Image source

Did you know that some people feel aroused when they get into crowded elevators?

There is a reason to this. We live with an aura of personal space around us. If a person we hate comes into this space we get feelings of hate and anger. But if you do the same with a person who likes you then both of you feel good.

Keep this knowledge in the back of your head the next time you get close to a person.

Fact Source

 

21. Smile the Duchenne smile

BODY-LANGUAGE-23
Image source

There is a difference between a plain smile and a Duchenne smile. Fake smiles do not evoke any emotion in the person in front of you. Whereas a Duchenne smile makes the other person smile too. The next time you think about making a person smile, just smile as genuinely as possible.

A Duchenne smile involves contraction of both the zygomatic major muscle (which raises the corners of the mouth) and the orbicularis oculi muscle (which raises the cheeks and forms crow’s feet around the eyes).

Fact Source

Keep them in mind the next time you go to an important meeting or a date.

Oh..please don’t mention. You’re welcome. 😉

Cover Image Source

📣 Storypick is now on Telegram! Click here to join our channel (@storypick) and never miss another great story.