Page 28 - GS230801

Education
ChapterTitle
StreetSmarts SM

Body language in business: Part 3 – Mirroring

By Nick Cucci Why is mirroring body language important?
Fluid Pay LLC As a practice, mirroring is an act that allows us to show
that we are relating to someone on a subconscious level.
veryone shares different messages through It means being relaxed when they are relaxed or being
their body language. It is a great way to show vibrant and engaged when they are. This action is actu-
how we feel and how we are experiencing ally deeply rooted in our communication as a species and
E an interaction. While being able to read body helps us to get on the same level and establish rapport
language and control your own is important, there is one with others.
more body language trick that can play an essential role
in developing workplace relationships–mirroring. In this When used effectively, mirroring can help us to seem
article, we will discuss mirroring and how you can use it more empathetic, allow us to establish trust or just make
to strengthen bonds with others. someone feel more comfortable around us. Mirroring
is one more powerful tool in any great communicator’s
Mirroring—as defined by the American Psychological As- handbook.
sociation, https://dictionary.apa.org/—is the act of imitating
someone else’s body language or verbal cues. Although it How to mirror someone’s body
might sound a little strange, it is actually a very effective language and build strong bonds
way to enhance communication between you and another
person. Before you can start mirroring someone’s body language
effectively, it is essential to focus on a series of steps that
While you won’t want to mirror their every action, subtly will enable you to do it correctly. While you can certainly
mirroring someone else’s body language and communica- wing it with good results, to get the most out of mirror-
tion methods can help you to establish a deeper bond with ing, you will want to focus on turning it into a process.
them every time you do it. The more you do it, the better you will get at adapting to
different people.

Pay attention to their actions: To mirror someone,
While you can certainly wing it you must start with one simple step–observation.
with good results, to get the most Building your awareness is a great place to start (see
https://tinyurl.com/237rwjyn). Before you can start mir-
out of mirroring, you will want to roring another person’s actions, you need to know
what those actions are. While you communicate with
focus on turning it into a process. someone, take note of everything they are doing.
Look at the way they hold their body, how close they
are, what facial expressions they are using and how
their hands move.

28