Body language provides clues to a person's subconscious thoughts and emotions but is not an exact science. It greatly influences first impressions which are often based more on appearance than words. One should be aware of their own negative gestures like looking nervous or aggressive and avoid them, as body language signals can unintentionally "leak" the truth. Proper use of gestures, personal space, touch, posture and walking can help build confidence in communication while protecting oneself if needed.

1. BODY LANGUAGE & POSTURE
BY: MS MARIAM NORONHA
REFERENCE: BODYTALK
THE SKILLS OF POSITIVE IMAGE
BY: JUDI JAMES
EXCEL BOOKS, FIRST INDIAN EDITION, 1996

2. Body Language is not an exact science, it will not
make you a mind reader
or give you power over others by reading their
inner most thoughts.
It is only a guide to a person’s subconscious
thoughts or emotions.
Caution is important as the clues may be wrong

3. Body language is what makes the
all important “First Impression”
We often
• Judge people by their appearance
Rather than from what they say to us
• This is largely a subconscious process
• We are often prejudiced and rarely stop to
think before forming an opinion

4. Work on your body language in
terms of “How it would appear to
others”
Remember:
Working this way does not make you
manipulative or a studied liar!
It can in fact help you to gain confidence in
communication, help you to mask
negative feelings & can act as a protective
armor if used correctly

5. Body language signals are called “leakage” because you
may try to tell someone something but the truth will
eventually leak out.
Some Negative Leakages:
• Looking Nervous
• Looking Aggressive
• Being Rude
• On the Fiddle
ACTION POINT: IDENTIFY YOUR
NEGATIVE GESTURES & TRY NOT TO
DO THEM WHEN IT COUNTS

6. GESTURES are useful if they add
value to what we say.
POMPOUS GESTURES
DAFT GESTURES
POSITIVE GESTURES

7. GESTURES CAN BE
USEFUL & ASSERTIVE TOO!

8. PERSONAL SPACE: Territory &
Touch
• Intimate Band: for close family members &
spouse
• Friendly Band: a gap like the one between
oneself & others at a party
• Social Band: Between ourselves & those
we know but not very well
• Public Band : distance maintained with
strangers

9. People are fiercely defensive of
“their SPACE”
We are often forced to invade the space that
may belong to someone else. What is
the best thing to do?
1. Invade only if its absolutely necessary
2. Show you mean no threat
3. Strike a balance

10. TOUCH
Touch breaks down Barriers.
A HANDSHAKE is the most common form
of touch in business
Ideally it should be with the RIGHT HAND &
its firmness varies with the one you
receive
CULTURE &TOUCH
The NAMASTE

11. POWER POSTURING is using the sort of
body language that is guaranteed to make
the other person feel INFERIOR
Eg: sitting with your feet on the desk,
staring, shouting orders, standing too
close, ignoring a greeting
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE A VICTIM?
Move very little, stay polite & confident

12. DEVELOPING A POSITIVE
POSTURE
Straighten up your shoulders while sitting or
standing
Hold it
It will help you to breathe easy & relax

13. POSITIVE STEPS
(Improve your walk)
An ASSERTIVE CONFIDENT walk is:
• Straight Back
• Head Up
• Arms swinging freely
• Relatively Fast paced

14. SOME COMMON WALKING
ERRORS
• Passive: eyes down, shoulders hunched, hands
in the pocket
• Aggressive: Huge strides, frowning, thumping
feet, arms swinging with hands in to fists
• Fussily: quick steps, anxious, nervous smile,
hands at waist level
• Cockily: bouncy steps, chin up, seeking
attention
• Thoughtful: head down, hands clasped behind,
slow paced, slightly bent forward

15. POOR SITTING POSTURES
• SLUMP
• DOUBLE CROSS: HANDS & LEGS
• DISAPPEARING: HIDING BEHIND A
BAG/DESK
• THINKER
• DISAGREEMENT: NODDING, FROWNING
• INDIFFERENCE/ANNOYANCE: FOOT
TAPPING, CLICKING A PEN
• REASSURANCE/COMFORT: NAIL BITING,
FIDDLING
• SUPERIORITY: THE THRONE