Make direct eye contact

When you are doing the speaking, you should look the person you're talking to directly in the eyes, but not so much when you're the person listening.

Making eye contact while your interlocutor is speaking actually harms your perceived competence.

... and gesticulate while you're speaking.

Hiding your hands and palms usually signals to your audience that you are hiding something, thus making you look less trustworthy.

Using your hands also makes your stories and arguments seem more intriguing.

Eye contact is something you can practice and get good at.

• If making eye contact with strangers is too difficult, start with people you feel comfortable with. Learn to look into your best friend's eyes when they tell you about their day, not at their ears or the wall behind them.