Are you telling them more than you think? Interpreting Gestures.
A recent study found that non-verbal forms of communication can be particularly powerful in face-to-face communication. If there is conflict between the words being said and the message communicated by the body, the body is more likely to be believed.Have you ever watched the television without sound? If you have, you will know that you can tell much of what is going on without hearing a word. It is not only your own body language that is important. Reading other people’s non-verbal cues can help you in your business and personal life.
Here are a few aspects of non-verbal communication to consider:
Posture
Body language is often a reflection of a person’s state of mind. If a person is confident and happy, their body language reflects that. The opposite is also true. You can change your body language to match how you would like to be portrayed.
- Sitting up straight and leaning forward in a chair can say a great deal about someone. It shows they are interested, engaged and involved in the conversation. Sit toward the front half of your chair. This will make you appear alert and interested.
- Standing up straight and walking purposefully can give even the smallest person presence and energy. Conversely, a slumped posture suggests low spirits and disinterest in a conversation or situation.
Gestures
Gestures often illustrate how you are feeling and what you are thinking. However, many gestures are culturally specific, for example a gesture with a positive meaning in Europe, may mean something negative in North America. Using gestures when you talk helps you make a conversation or business presentation more animated and interesting. It assists a person in expressing a meaning.
Gestures however can be misleading. They sometimes suggest feelings to other people that may not be accurate. For example, a person standing or sitting with their arms crossed may be seen as cold, aloof or angry. The truth may be that they are chilly and trying to stay warm.
Here are some tips to Interpreting Gestures are your next meeting:
Gesture what it says
Arms Crossed I’m afraid of you or I disagree with you
Head tilted I’m interested in what you are saying or I don’t understand
Head resting on hand I’m bored
Index finger along cheek I’m not impressed
Fingers curled around chin I’m not impressed
Pinching bridge of nose, closed eyes I’m concerned
Nose touching I’m not sure or I’m lying
Showing palms of hand I’m open
Clenched hands, thumbs rubbing I’m anxious
Tugging at ear Stop talking
Rubbing eye I don’t see it
Rubbing back of neck I’m frustrated
Touching thread I’m anxious
Unbuttoning jacket I’m open to what you’re saying
Seated with foot kicking I’m bored
Leaning back with fingers laced I’m the boss
Behind head
Facial Gestures
The seven basic emotions of; happiness, sadness, surprise, fear, anger, disgust and embarrassment are generally expressed the same way for all humans. When one of these emotions shows up on someone’s face, we instantly understand it.
Some people learn to mask some of these feelings to keep emotion out of the topic. Sometimes showing anger or disgust in certain situations can work against you.
Some facial expressions are more difficult to hide:
- Tightening of the jaw and lips is often unintentional and can signal feelings of anxiety, tension, nervousness or anger.
- Furrowed eyebrows can show feelings of anger or confusion.
- Eye contact establishes rapport and trust
It is the job of an Image Consultant or PR Executive which assists people in becoming aware of and mastering their facial expressions.
As a speaker, good eye contact helps exhibit confidence. As a listener, eye contact shows respect and interest in what is being said. The normal rule of thumb is to maintain eye contact until you can clearly see the color of the other person’s eyes. However, 100 eye contact can be intimidating so if possible approximately 40 percent of the time is suitable. Also keep in mind the cultural difference; Asian cultures see direct eye contact as disrespectful, while some Arabic cultures consider it disrespectful not to make prolonged direct eye contact. It is important to consider these factors when doing business other countries.
Space
Space plays a role in business meetings and personal encounters alike. Seating arrangements can dictate the mood of a gathering. If you sit behind a large desk while the other person perches on a chair, it can be seen as a play of power. This can interfere with open communication.
All in all, it is important to practice your non-verbal communication just as much as you’re verbal next time you are at a meeting, presenation or in the view of others. It does matter more than you think.
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