Next time you want someone to pay closer attention to what you’re saying—for instance, during a job interview, while giving instructions or as you give a speech— keep one palm turned up as you talk.  “This is a universal gesture that draws people in, making them more interested in what you’re saying,” explains David B. Givens, Ph.D., director of the Center for Nonverbal Studies in Spokane, Washington.

Tip: Make a bigger impression by keeping those hands moving! “Using no hand gestures at all sends the message that you lack conviction and aren’t friendly,” says Givens.

[photo: cloudzilla]