Body Language Mistakes That Kill Your Credibility

Research suggests that up to 55% of communication is non-verbal. Your body is constantly sending signals to your audience—and if those signals contradict your words, your words lose.

Here are the most common body language mistakes that undermine your credibility, and how to fix them.

The Fidget Effect

Fidgeting—touching your face, playing with your hair, adjusting your clothes—signals nervousness and distraction. It tells your audience that you're not fully present or confident in what you're saying.

The Fix: Plant your feet firmly, keep your hands visible and still when not gesturing, and resist the urge to self-soothe through touch.

The Wandering Eye

When you avoid eye contact, you appear untrustworthy or insecure. But staring too intensely makes people uncomfortable. Balance is key.

The Fix: In one-on-one conversations, maintain eye contact 60-70% of the time. When speaking to groups, move your gaze systematically, connecting with individuals for 2-3 seconds before moving on.

The Barrier Pose

Crossed arms, hands in pockets, or holding objects in front of your body create a psychological barrier between you and your audience. These positions signal defensiveness or discomfort.

The Fix: Keep your arms relaxed at your sides or use open, expansive gestures. When standing, imagine a string pulling you up from the crown of your head.

The Power Leak

Tilting your head, raising your voice at the end of statements (uptalk), or making yourself smaller all leak power. These behaviors signal submission and uncertainty.

The Fix: Keep your chin level, drop your voice at the end of declarative sentences, and take up appropriate space. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.

The Fake Smile

A genuine smile (called a Duchenne smile) involves the muscles around your eyes. A fake smile only uses your mouth. Audiences detect the difference unconsciously, and fake smiles erode trust.

The Fix: Don't smile unless you mean it. When you do smile, think of something genuinely pleasing to activate those eye muscles naturally.

The Rushing Syndrome

Moving too quickly—whether walking, gesturing, or transitioning between slides—signals nervousness. It also makes you harder to follow and reduces your perceived authority.

The Fix: Move deliberately. Walk with purpose. Let your gestures have beginnings, middles, and ends. Use pauses to add weight to your words.

The Closed Stance

Turning your body away from your audience, even slightly, suggests disengagement or dishonesty. Your belly and feet should generally face the people you're addressing.

The Fix: Square your shoulders and hips toward your audience. Point your feet at the person you're speaking with. This signals openness and honesty.

The Contradictory Gesture

When your words say one thing but your body says another, people believe your body. Nodding while saying "no," shaking your head while praising someone, or smiling while delivering criticism all create cognitive dissonance.

The Fix: Practice in front of a mirror or record yourself. Make sure your gestures align with your message.

Building Better Body Language

Body language habits developed over a lifetime won't change overnight. But with conscious practice, you can reprogram your non-verbal communication.

Start with awareness:

1. Record yourself speaking for 5 minutes
2. Watch without sound, focusing only on body language
3. Note any patterns that might undermine your message
4. Choose one behavior to focus on this week

Gradually, conscious competence becomes unconscious competence. Your body will naturally support your message, and your credibility will soar.