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Business Strategy with Hirav Shah AUGUST 29, 2025 | The Indian Eye 40

HOW YOUR BODY LANGUAGE BUILDS

OR BREAKS BUSINESS DEALS

HIRAV SHAH

hat you say in business mat-
ters. But how you say it —
Wwithout even speaking —
matters even more.

The Silent Signal That Sells or Sinks Subtly aligning your gestures and energy with theirs shows rapport. It builds subconscious connection — making them feel safe (File)
Just imagine this…
• You walk into a meeting room Shows confidence, connection, confidence — or worse, dishonesty. Make It Speak Success.
filled with decision-makers. You’ve and honesty. 2. Fidgeting or Restlessness In business, it’s not just what you
got the pitch deck, the product is It signals you’re present, listen- pitch — it’s what you project.
great, and your numbers are solid. ing, and trustworthy. It can signal nervousness, impa- Your body language can either
But something feels off. tience, or even disinterest. build bridges or create barriers.
• You speak, but their eyes drift. You 2. Open Posture 3. Closed Arms or Shrinking Posture Before your next deal, pitch, or
explain, but they seem distracted. No crossed arms. Feet grounded. presentation, ask yourself:
• You leave, unsure of what went Shoulders relaxed. This makes you appear defen-
wrong. This communicates approach- sive, insecure, or unwilling to collab- “What does my body say about my
It wasn’t your product. ability, openness, and readiness. orate. belief in my own idea?”
It wasn’t your pricing. 3. Firm Handshake (or Namaste!) 4. Inconsistent Facial Expressions “Your posture is your pitch.
It was your presence. Stand like you mean it.” – Award-win-
• That’s the hidden power (or weak- In-person or virtual, the way you Smiling while delivering bad ning strategist Hirav Shah
ness) of body language in business. greet matters. news? Stone-faced during apprecia- FAQs
A confident but warm gesture tion?
What Is Body Language in Business? sets the tone from the start. These misalignments confuse Q: Can body language be trained?
Body language is the non-verbal and erode trust. A: Absolutely. Like any soft skill,
communication we project through 4. Leaning Slightly In 5. Poor Listening Cues it can be refined through practice,
posture, gestures, eye contact, facial Not too much, not too little — awareness, and feedback.
expressions, and tone of voice. just enough to signal engagement. Nodding too quickly, interrupt- Q: What’s the fastest way to improve
• It reveals more than your words It tells the other person: “I’m genu- ing, or glancing at your phone/laptop body language for business?
ever could — confidence, trust, inely interested in what you’re saying.” All signs you’re not truly there in A: Start with posture, eye contact, and
openness, fear, hesitation, and 5. Mirroring the conversation. removing distractions. Record your-
even deception.
• In business, body language isn’t Subtly aligning your gestures and Business Body Language in Digital self in a mock pitch to identify gaps.
just about looking confident. energy with theirs shows rapport. World: Zoom, Calls, and Beyond Q: Does body language really influence
• It’s about building trust, establish- It builds subconscious connec- Body language isn’t lost in virtual investor or client decisions?
ing credibility, and aligning your tion — making them feel safe. settings — it just changes. A: Yes — non-verbal cues account
intent with your impact. “The energy you carry into a • Look at the camera, not your for up to 55% of communication. In-
• “Deals don’t happen in silence — room will speak before your words screen — it mimics eye contact. vestors often invest in the person, not
but they often die in what’s unsaid.” do.” – Hirav Shah • Sit straight, not slouched — pos- just the idea.
– Business Strategist Hirav Shah ture still speaks.
When Body Language Breaks Busi- • Nod, smile, react — show you’re
When Body Language Builds Busi- ness Deals engaged. The writer is a well known Business
ness Deals • Avoid multitasking — people can Turnaround Specialist, Astro Strategist,
1. Avoiding Eye Contact
1. Strong Eye Contact feel when you’re distracted. and BestSelling Author.
Instant red flag. It shows lack of Final Thoughts: Your Body Speaks. [email protected]

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