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5 body-language mistakes that make you look like a pushover
(Don't bow your head.Universal Pictures)
No one ever wants to come across as weak, especially in a professional setting.
But some of us can't help it. That's because your body language might be giving off subtle signs that warp how others view you.
Business Insider spoke with Lillian Glass, a communications and body-language expert and author of "Toxic People," to get her ideas on which body-language mistakes make you look like a pushover.
Here are her top five picks:
1. Hunched shoulders
Your parents were right to nag you to sit up straight. Not only will a slumped posture cause others to view you as weak, it could harm your own self-perception. This 2015 study published in Health Psychology found that a perpetual slouch can increase negative moods and lower self-esteem.
2. Bowing your head
This one's pretty self-explanatory. If you're constantly looking down like Jean Valjean at the beginning of "Les Misérables," you probably look a bit beaten down.
3. Speaking in a soft, timid voice
No one will view you as a strong leader if they can't hear you. If you're a naturally quiet person, make an effort to speak up to gain more respect in the office. In an article for the Telegraph, psychologist Rob Yeung gives tips on how to speak loudly and clearly.
4. A frightened expression
Some people just have "resting scared face." But you don't want to appear anxious or worried in the workplace, especially when you're communicating with others.
5. A shifty gaze
This one's also the worst body-language mistake you can make in general, according to Glass. Don't avert your eyes when people are speaking to you, unless you want to look nervous — or worse, dishonest.
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