Final answer:
Leaning forward slightly during a sitting conversation can indicate interest and engagement to your customer, but it should be complemented with good posture, appropriate eye contact, and responsiveness to nonverbal cues of others. This behavior demonstrates attentiveness and helps in building rapport in a business setting.
Step-by-step explanation:
When sitting, yes, you should lean forward slightly to indicate interest in what your customer is conveying to you. This type of body language can demonstrate that you are engaged and attentive to the conversation. It's crucial, however, to balance this by maintaining appropriate eye contact without staring, as direct eye contact can signify that you're both alert and respectful of what they're sharing. Avoiding eye contact may convey a lack of self-confidence or appear unfriendly.
Maintaining good posture is also an important aspect of professional body language. On camera, especially, sitting up straight and looking into the camera lens makes it appear as if you're maintaining eye contact with the person on the other side, further indicating engagement. Listening intently and being responsive to nonverbal cues are essential skills. You should also participate actively in discussions, which shows your interest in the topic and your willingness to be actively involved.
While leaning in slightly can symbolize your attentiveness, it's equally important to monitor the other person's nonverbal cues, like their own eye contact, facial expressions, and body positioning. These cues can inform you if your customer is feeling at ease, or if they're requiring more clarification or are possibly overwhelmed by too much authority in your approach. Being observant of such signals allows you to adjust your approach, ensuring you are as effective in your communication as possible.