Body Language

Body Language Your words tell me a story but your body tells me the whole story Ann Matsunaga Body Language presentation June 2009

American psychologist Mehrabian states that when it comes to expressing feelings:

55% of the communication consists of body language

38% is expressed through tone of voice

Only 77% is communicated through words.

If this is the case, we express 93% of our feelings in a non-verbal way!

Ann Matsunaga Body Language presentation June 2009

Spoken language gives the

content of the conversation and

body language is used to show

how the speaker feels about

the situation, and the other

people involved.

Body language is hereditary or

taught to children at a very

young age that it why it is a

reliable way of finding out how

someone feels.

Body language is not the

same around the world;

In Europe and America

people shake their head

when they mean no and

nod when they mean yes.

In India or in Greece,

they mean the opposite –

up and down means no

and shaking means yes.

Openness and warmth

open-lipped smiling,

open hands with palms visible

unbuttoning coat upon being seated

Confidence

leaning forward in chair

chin up

putting tips of fingers of one hand against the tips of fingers of other hand in "praying" or "steepling" position

hands joined behind back when standing .

Nervousness

smoking, whistling, pinching skin, fidgeting,

jiggling pocket contents, running tongue along

front of teeth, clearing throat, hands

touching the face or covering part of the

face, pulling at skin or ear, running fingers

through hair, wringing hands, biting on pens

or other objects, twiddling thumbs, biting

fingernails or bitten fingernails, tongue

clicking.

Untrustworthy/Defensive

frowning, squinting eyes, tight-lipped grin,

arms crossed in front of chest, pulling away,

chin down, touching nose or face, darting

eyes, looking down when speaking, clenched

hands, gestures with fist, pointing with

fingers, chopping one hand into the open palm

of the other, rubbing back of neck, clasping

hands behind head while leaning back in the

chair.

Remember

There is more negative than positive body language

Try and stop negative body language before you have an interview.

Watch the interviewer’s body language and nonverbal cues but do not try to trust too much in what you see

The most obvious example of positive body language is the smile connection - when and interviewer responds to your smile

The power of touch

Body language can show who has more

power in the relationship for example:

1. the friendly shoulder pat

2. the stroke over the head

3. the arm around someone's

shoulder

Interpersonal space

Edward Hall, an American anthropologist,

divided interpersonal space into four

zones:

1. The intimate zone (0 - 45 cm)

2. The personal zone (45 - 120 cm)

3. The social zone (120 - 360 cm)

4. The public zone (360 - 750 cm or more)

In a meeting You can tell how involved listeners are from their body language, such as nodding and leaning forward in their chair. It is also important that everyone has the chance to speak, and that they are all involved in the meeting. Emotions are usually expressed non-verbally, and recognising the emotional involvement of people is important. Ann Matsunaga Body Language presentation June 2009