Body language communicates much more than words and can reveal truths that words try to hide. It provides information about territorial spaces and cultural norms around space. Invasion of personal space can make people feel troubled, defensive, or aggressive. Public masks and body positions also provide clues about social dynamics and inclusion or exclusion of others. Misinterpretation of body language signals can lead to trouble such as conflicts, wrong assumptions, and even legal issues. Overall, body language reveals important truths about people and relationships.

2. BODY LANGUAGE
Body language communicates
much more than words. Body
language signals are called
‘leakages’ because you may try to
tell something, but the truth will
leak out visually.

4. Aspects of Body Language

5. Territory
• Personal
– Close -1½ to 2½ feet
– Far - 2½ to 4 ½ feet
• Intimate
– Touching
– 6-18”
• Social
– Close 4-7 feet
– Far - 7-12 feet
• Public
– Close - 12-25 feet
– Far - 25 feet or
greater

6. Cultures
• A crowded
culture
• What is your
private space?

7. When you invade my space
• Reactions to an
invasion of your
space
– Feel troubled
– Get defensive
– Become aggressive
– Retaliate

8. Masks We Wear
• Public Masks
– Public smile
– Clothing
– Putting on my face
• Extended territory
– On the road
– At work
• Can we drop masks?

9. Jockeying for position
• Inclusive - Non-inclusive
– How you include/exclude others in a group
• Parallel body positions
– Will position yourselves to relate to each other
– Side by side are neutral
– Facing means people are involved
• Congruence-incongruence
– Groups that imitate each other

10. Looking
• How long do you look?
– Staring- dehumanizes or challenges
– Glances - socially acceptable timing
– Appraisal- may indicate interest
• Do you look when you talk?
• Do you look when you listen?

11. ‘What often happens in any relationship is that
language itself becomes a mask and a means of
clouding and confusing the relationship. If the
spoken language is stripped away and the only
communication left is body language, the truth
will find some way of poling through. Spoken
language itself is a great obscurer”
Body Language, Julius Fast, MJF books, 1970.
Actions Speak Louder than Words?

12. Misinterpretation = Trouble??
• Lost business
– Lack of animation = lack of
interest?
– US tendency to get right to
business

13. Troubles
• Conflict with peers
• Different work styles
• Wrong assumptions

14. Trouble….
• Misinterpretation of
signals
– Can be BIG trouble
– Legal trouble
– Do you know how to
act or are you
confused?

15. Do you know what you are saying?

16. Zones
Intimate

17. Personal

18. Social

19. Public

20. Shows that a person does not
know or understand what you are
talking about

21. Means
"All correct"

22. It is an OK signal normally, but,
when it is jerked sharply
upwards it becomes an insult
signal

24. Submissive palm position
Dominant palm position
Aggressive palm position

25. Taking control
handshake
Giving control handshake
Glove handshake

26. Positive
expectation

27. Lowered steeple Raised steeple

28. High clenched hands indicate people who are difficult to decipher

29. Gripping hands
Confidence Frustration

30. &

31. Thumb
displays
Negative & superior attitude
Dominant or aggressive

32. Suppress the deceitful words

33. Catch a lie..
Sometimes indicates thinking hard

34. Indicates anger & frustration
Collar pull

35. Evaluation
Boredom

36. Standard arm cross gesture
Defensive
Or
negative attitude

37. Arm Gripping Gesture
Show that the user is 'cool’
and
to make his superiority felt

38. Partial Arm-Cross Barrier Gesture
lacking in
self-confidence

39. ‘Readiness' which in the right
context is correct,
but the basic meaning is
aggression

40. Closed formation
Shows intimacy and signals for privacy

41. Shows nervous,
reserved or defensive
attitude

42. The 4 Leg Lock Position
Sign of the
tough-minded,
stubborn individual

43. Territorial gesture
Indicates pride of ownership

44. Ownership
gesture
Reflects an easygoing, relaxed and carefree attitude