Your Body Is Talking

By DAVE SIMANOFF The Tampa Tribune

Published: Oct 20, 2007

You're being judged.

The way you stand, the way you sit, the way you gesticulate - and the way you're holding this newspaper and reading this story right now, in fact - make a statement. And other people are forming their opinions about you based on all the nonverbal statements you're making.

Tonya Reiman says savvy communicators know how to make a good impression without saying a word. Reiman, a New York-based author and expert, discussed the science and skills behind body language Friday morning at the International Association of Business Communicators' regional conference in Tampa.

"Appearance really does matter," she said. "Appearance determines perception."

Reiman engaged the audience with exercises in eye contact and handshakes. She told people to throw out some of the old tricks they may have learned. (For example: ever look at someone's forehead or mouth because you didn't want to make direct eye contact? Don't do that. It's just creepy.)

Diana Rogers, a communications specialist for the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency in Oklahoma City, said Reiman's keynote speech was an important reminder of the role nonverbal communications can play in public relations.

Sometimes the industry can be focused on written communication, "and there really is a whole package," she said.

Rogers said she enjoyed learning some of the nonverbal cues that may indicate someone is lying.

"I plan to use that one on my peers," she laughed.

Shan Hoyt, a consultant for Pittsburgh-based BearingPoint.com, said she's planning to share what she learned from Reiman with her staff.

"As consultants, we're all about building rapport," she said. "First impressions are huge for us."

The International Association of Business Communicators regional conference began Thursday night and concludes today. The Tampa Tribune is one of its sponsors.

Reporter Dave Simanoff can be reached at (813) 259-7762 or dsimanoff@tampatrib.com.