How to Read your Body Language

BODY LANGUAGE

If the eyes are the windows of the soul, then the body is the mirror of our feelings.

7% of the information we receive is from what they actually say.

38% of information we receive is from the tone, inflection and speed of their voice.

55% of the information we receive is from their body language.

What is Body Language?

Body Language is the communication of personal feelings, emotions , attitudes, thoughts through body movements -gestures, postures , facial expressions, walking styles, positions & distance - either consciously or involuntarily i.e. its not only your tongue you communicate with but also you speak with your body movements & gestures.

The Main Aspects of Body Language

• Gestures: A gesture is the verbal or non-verbal body movement used to express or emphasize an idea , an emotion or a state of mind.

• Body Movements: This includes the head, eyes, eyebrows , lips , neck , shoulders, fingers and so on. One can distinguish four main kinds of gesticulation: Emblem, illustrators, regular and self-touching.

• Behaviour : This refers quite simply , to everything we do which is overt or observable. It is important because it is observable to others.

• Emotions: Refers to states such as happiness, depression & anxiety & milder moods such as feeling of pleasure & displeasure , degrees of excitement or drowsiness etc. A ‘Emotional cue’ is a facial expression, body movement or tone of voice indicative of emotion.

A good way to show you are approachable, especially when combined with open palms

Defences downAn open heart

Open Arms:

Palms Up – Open Hands:

When a person uses open palms that occasionallytouch their chest, they are signalling honesty

Palms on chest

This conveys an open and positive message

Outward, upward hand movements

A defence mechanism that shows the person is not open to what is being said or doneMay mean rejectionPhysically cold Stubborn in their outlook

Folded arms:

A closed heart

BoredDoodling

Anger and to be avoidedPhysically coldVery tenseDefiant or triumphant when held in air

Fist

A sign of eagerness

Feet under the chair

Evaluating

Stroking chinWants to get awayThinking about something elseBored with situation / conversation

Looking around

IndecisionPossible deception

Ear Tugging

Striding briskly:An outward display of confidenceAnger

BoredTired and that may have nothing to do with the Situatio n/conversation

Yawning

This is evidence of two people getting on really well.Each person copies the other’s body language, usually subtly.

Mirroring

Mirroring occurs with:•Breathing, Gestures, Eye movement, Leaning towards each other at the same time, Crossed or uncrossed legsSpeech pattern, Arm movement, or no arm movement, Emotive energy such as being excited, relaxed, etc.

This shows someone knows they are attractive For eg, flicking or stroking their hair or adjusting a collar and/ora tie.

Preening

The occasional nod from a listener to a speaker is apositive message. It is an indication they are listening and are interested.

Nodding

Too much nodding indicates the listener has lost interest andmay be bored.

Body spaceRespect for the other person’s body space is crucial ingaining their trust. Stay at least one arm’s length away from them.

Gentle leg shaking The person is mildly stimulatedMay need to go to toilet

Vigorous leg shakingReveals apprehension and nervesDesperate to go to the toilet

Raise of eyebrows - express astonishment

Envy or disbelief may be displayed by a raised eyebrow

We frown – displeasure or confusion Open our mouth - Shock

THE FACE

The face is the most significant and the most photographed- part of human body . The flashes of facial signals are generally spontaneous reactions which a person finds difficult to hide.

General Characteristics

• Expressions: Facial expressions are highly flexible & changeable. The face can encode a variety of communicative & informative messages.

Raise of eyebrows express astonishment. We frown in displeasure or confusion. Envy or disbelief may be displayed by a raised

eyebrow.

• Emotions:The face is the most reliable indicator of a wide range of emotions : Joy & happiness , fear , annoyance, surprise, anger, sadness etc.

When we are shocked we open our mouth.

Blushing is another facial phenomenon that expresses emotion. A shy person becomes red in face when attention is focussed on him.

• Laughter: Laughter is composed of a broad range of gesture & sounds.

‘Ha-Ha’ is a genuine laughter. ‘He-He’ is a mocking laughter. ‘Hee-Hee’ suggests a secret giggle. ‘Ho-Ho’ communicates surprise

• Smiling: smiling & frowning are two major facial expressions.

A genuine smile means ‘I appreciate you’; ‘I accept your ideas’.

A frown means ‘I find you puzzling’.

Head Gestures

• The Head Nod : A nod depicts a positive signal & a ‘head- shake’ signifies ‘no’ or a negative gesture.

• Head nods show continuing attention , it also depicts what is happening to us emotionally. Heads tilt is a signal of interest.

• Eyebrows: People lower or knit their

eyebrows when they show disagreement or displeasure.

Frown when in displeasure.

• Mouth : When ‘raised’ , the mouth communicates

positive feelings , happiness , optimism. If kept ‘straight’ to conceal emotion. ‘Turned down’ to express sadness, confusion ,

dissatisfaction.

• The Lips: When one does not utter a word lips can be eloquent because silent lips express a wide range of emotions from smile to frown.

• Throat: when the Adam’s applejump unconsciously signals anxiety, embarrassment or stress.

The Eyes• The eyes can be steely, knowing, mocking,

piercing, shifty. They can level a burning glance, or a cold glance or a hurt glance or again can be wise , knowing , inviting , scary , disinterested and so on.

Pupils dilate when a person is interested. We gaze in order to perceive the expressions of

others. We look straight in the eye to get attention.

• Ways of Looking: Side long glance is referred to as stolen

look. Blank stare depicts boredom. Sparkling eyes are an attribute of those

who have ‘magnetic personalities’.

• Glasses: Peering over glass depicts being

judgmental or critical. Dark glasses are worn by those who

conceal their genuine feelings.

THE HANDS • The Human hand is a restless organ

Limp hands show boredom.

Nervous or jittery person shows restless hands.

Clenched hands often shows frustration.

Clapping of hands shows applause.

• When the arms are crossed they form a ‘barrier’ to an impending threat.

• Arms folded with finger tucked in armpits & thumbs sticking out: this is when subordinate faces his superior whom he considers equal.

• Arms behind the back is resorted by those who is experiencing an inner conflict.

• Neck stroking signals suspicion.

• Putting objects in mouth is when they are busy with something.

• Pinching the bridges of nose indicates a person in deep thought.

• Nose rub is a sign of rejection.• Chin stroking is when people are

in deep reflection.• Slapping the head signifies self

punishment.• Hands behind the head is used by

professionals who are confident & dominant.

Styles Of Handshake

• Palm down thrust : signifies dominance or aggression.

• Palm up position shows submission by the giver.

• Glove Handshake: ‘Politician Handshake’, this is with people one is familiar with.

THE LEGS

• Crossed legs signify negativity.• The foot lock is especially among shy &

timid women.• The ankle lock signifies ‘holding back’ of

strong feelings , attitudes & emotions.• Sitting on edge of chair indicates

compromise, accept or agree or conclude.• Rocking or swinging in chair indicates a

person is in full control of situation.

Walking Gestures

• Arms swinging.• Hands in pockets.• Hands on hips.• Meditative walk.• Confidence walk.• Leadership walk.• Swagger.

When _____ people enter an elevator, they each...

1.One or two...lean against the walls of the elevator.2. Three or four...occupy a corner.3.five or six ...all turn to face the door.  ...get taller and thinner.  ...hands and purses and briefcases hangdown in front of the body, or "fig leaf position." 

...must not touch each other in any way unless the elevator is crowded, and then only at the shoulder or lightly against the upper arm. 

...have a tendency to look upward at the illuminated floor indicator. 

Thank You!!