Finessing your nonverbal exchanges can help put others at ease and make them more receptive to your spoken message.

Rather than staring at someone straight on, "rotate your focus to something slightly to the right or left of the person you're talking to," suggests executive coach Steven Watts. "Constant staring can make people feel uncomfortable or nervous."

If you tend to fidget, make sure both feet are planted firmly on the floor. Clenching your toes in your shoes can help prevent toe tapping and other nervous foot movements.

If you're a naturally hands-on person, keep in mind that touching the back of a person's hand, wrist, or forearm is the gesture least likely to offend. "These parts of the body are less personal," says anthropologist David Givens. The shoulder is too emotional; the head is an absolute no-no.

Should you find yourself standing too close to someone, make a joke and change the distance, saying something like "Sorry. I'm a little in your face, aren't I?" as you move back.