Nonverbal communication behaviors play a key part in the audience’s perception of your competence, trustworthiness, and character.² Research shows, for example, that audiences are more readily persuaded by speakers who emphasize vocal variety, eye contact, nodding at listeners, and standing with an open body position than by those who minimize these nonverbal cues.³ Instructors, for instance, are judged as more credible when they demonstrate nonverbal behaviors such as direct eye contact, open gestures, and smiling. Audience members also respond more positively to speakers whom they perceive to be well dressed and attractive. They are apt to take them more seriously and are more objective in their responses than they are to speakers whom they do not find attractive.