The Power of Body Language in Communication

According to Wikipedia body language is - a form of non-verbal communication, which consists of body posture, gestures, facial expressions, and eye movements. Humans send and interpret such signals almost entirely subconsciously. Body Language is therefore very relevant to management and leadership, and to all aspects of work and business where communications can be seen and physically observed among people yet we seem to dismiss and not take enough notice of them.

Dr Albert Mehrabian, Professor Emeritus of Psychology says there are three V's which make up the communication signals we send to others - they are:

Visual = How you look - 55%
Vocal = How you sound - 38%
Verbal = What you say - 7%

With these numbers in mind consider how much communication is dependant on how we say something and not actually what we say in business. It is necessary to perfect your job skills says *Lynne Brennan, if your non-verbal signals are out of sync with your spoken message, the people listening to you will feel uncomfortable, or may not believe - or be interested in what you are saying. Body language is a vital part of spoken interaction and it is worth continually developing your ability to read other's signals.

What do these habits mean to you?

1. Running fingers through hair
2. Sitting back with both hands behind the head
3. Legs crossed, arms folded tightly
4. Sitting forward, head nodding occasionally
5. Supporting the head in the right hand with an elbow resting on the table
6. Foot tapping, fist clenched
7. Hands over eyes
8. Direct, strong eye contact
9. Stroking the chin
10. Hair-twisting
11. Rubbing an earlobe
12. Tight-lipped with both hands on hips

Here are Lynne Brennan's interpretations:

1. Unsure/ frustrated or angry
2. Know it all
3. Defensive/ annoyed
4. Interested
5. Bored/ tired
6. Frustrated/ angry
7. Does not want to see someone/ something; disappointed, frsutrated/ angry
8. Aggressive/ dominant
9. Deep in thought
10. Nervous
11. Nervous/ doubtful/ not telling the truth
12. Aggressive

One of the most basic, powerful and well-known body-language signals is when a person crosses his or her arms across the chest. This can indicate that a person is putting up an unconscious barrier between themselves and others. Alternatively, the person could be cold and reflects this with arms folded.

Consistent eye contact can indicate that a person is thinking positively of what the speaker is saying. Lack of eye contact can indicate negativity. On the other hand, individuals with anxiety disorders are often unable to make eye contact without discomfort.
Or if while making direct eye contact, a person is fiddling with something, even while directly looking at you, it could indicate the attention is elsewhere.

There are three standard areas that a person will look which represent different states of being. If the person looks from one eye to the other, then to the forehead, it is a sign that they are taking an authoritative position. If they move from one eye to the other, then to the nose, that signals that they are engaging in what they consider to be a "Social Gaze" with neither party holding superiority. The last case is from one eye to the other and then down to the lips or further below the chin which is a "Personal Gaze" and usually only used when in a company with someone you have a personal relationship with.

Disbelief is often indicated by averted gaze, or by touching the ear or scratching the chin. When a person is not being convinced by what someone is saying, their attention invariably wanders, and the eyes will stare away for an extended period.

Boredom is indicated by the head tilting to one side, or by the eyes looking straight at the speaker but becoming slightly unfocused. A head tilt may also indicate a sore neck or Amblyopia, and unfocused eyes may indicate ocular problems in the listener.

Deceit or the act of withholding information can sometimes be indicated by touching the face during conversation. Excessive blinking is a well-known indicator of someone who is lying. According the Wikipedia recent evidence has surfaced that the absence of blinking can also represent lying as a more reliable factor than excessive blinking.

Info sourced from Wikipedia and Lynne Brennan's book Business Etiquette for the 21st Century - What to do and what not to do.

For info regarding workshops we offer that touch on body language click here