Like most accounting professionals, you probably nurture your career in the usual ways – by taking the latest continuing professional education courses, identifying new competencies to pursue and striving to have good workplace relationships. While these are all essential elements of career management, another equally critical factor in climbing the professional ladder is one most people don’t think of – sharpening your nonverbal aptitude.

Nonverbal aptitude may not be a stated qualification for getting hired or receiving a promotion, but employers, colleagues and clients value professionals whose body language enhances their credibility and inspires confidence.

With this in mind, here are some nonverbal pointers worth noting:

Fine-tune your delivery. Body language can be more powerful than words in conveying information. In fact, behavioral researchers have noted that as much as 93 percent of all communication occurs through facial expressions, gestures, posture, voice tone and other body movements or microexpressions.

For instance, a speaker whose voice rises in pitch may come across as agitated or uncomfortable while individuals who rub their hands together when they talk are likely to be perceived as nervous or defensive. And, of course, someone who fails to make eye contact or extend a strong handshake is often viewed as either lacking in confidence, untrustworthy or some combination of these traits.

Try to learn more about what your expressions and delivery convey about you and whether your nonverbal language could be undermining your professional presence. Ask a trusted colleague for feedback in this area or consider taking a public speaking course, where participants are critiqued on all aspects of communication and presentation. It is not enough to simply speak well. To successfully connect with others, you also need to bolster your messages with a confident, persuasive delivery style.

Show you’re engaged. Your nonverbal cues tell a lot about your level of interest and engagement in what’s going on around you. It follows then that your apparent enthusiasm for your job – or lack of it – can affect your prospects for career advancement.

For example, you’ve probably gone to a meeting before where you sensed that one or more attendees did not have a receptive attitude – perhaps they slumped in their chair and crossed their arms, frowned or purposely sat along the fringes of the meeting room. On the other hand, an individual who takes a prominent seat, has an open facial expression, nods appropriately in response to the speaker or asks an occasional question is more likely to be seen as engaged and receptive to what is taking place.

 

Demonstrate self-assured behaviors. Be conscious of what your everyday behavior in the office, at meetings and other business functions says about your confidence level. Aim to come across as someone who is at ease in all your professional interactions. Actions such as introducing yourself to others instead of waiting to be introduced, initiating conversations and maintaining eye contact can all be perceived as gestures of self-assurance.

It’s especially important to send the right nonverbal signals to higher-ups in your organization. If you hope to eventually join your firm’s management team, for instance, you want to be perceived by top executives as a colleague, not a subordinate. With this goal in mind, don’t be reluctant to initiate a handshake or strike up a conversation with influential leaders in your firm, rather than waiting to be noticed or asked for your thoughts on a matter. Just as you’ve been advised to “dress the part” for the position you seek, you can also model your behavior after those in roles you aspire to reach.

While good communication in any form is key to career advancement, take extra care to master each side of the equation, both verbal and nonverbal language. If you fail to close the circle, you might prevent yourself from being as effective and successful in your career as you would like to be.

For more advice on management and career issues, listen to Robert Half’s podcast series at www.rhi.com/Podcast.

 

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