Positive Body Language

Can you describe some positive body language so that I know how to read it?

Reading body language

·      Non-verbal communication, or body language

·         Refers to messaging without words

·      In a personal spoken message

·         According to Albert Mehrabian, in Psychology Today (1968), of the total message

·         7% is conveyed by the words

·         38% by the vocal tones, and

·         55% by facial and body expression

·         Reading body language is an important skill

·         Gesture clusters are described in the following pages

Comment on body language

·      Because of the importance of body-language

·         As part of the message

·      Co-location of the project team

·         Is a much preferred option

·         Compared to "virtual teamwork"

·      Warning!

·         The following cluster descriptions reflect north American gestures

·         They do not necessarily represent gestures correctly in other ethnic cultures

Positive gesture clusters - 1

Acceptance

·         Hand to chest

·         Open arms and hands

·         Touching gestures

·         Moving closer, one to another

·         Preening

·         Sitting on one leg (for female)

Positive gesture clusters - 2

·      Confidence

·         Steepling (fingers touching like a church steeple)

·         Hands behind back, authority position

·         Back stiffened

·         Hands in coat pockets with thumbs out

·         Hands on lapels of coat

·      Expectancy

·         Rubbing palms

·         Jingling money openly

·         Crossed fingers

·         Moving closer

Positive gesture clusters - 3

Cooperation, readiness, openness

·         Open hands

·         Hands on hips

·         Hands on mid-thigh while seated

·         Sitting on edge of chair

·         Arms spread, gripping edge of table or desk

·         Moving closer

·         Sprinter's position

·         Hand-to-face gestures

Positive gesture clusters - 4

Evaluation

·         Hand-to-face gestures

·         Head tilted

·         Stroking chin

·         Peering over glasses

·         Taking glasses off, and cleaning

·         Putting eye glass ear piece in mouth

·         Pipe smoker gestures

·         Getting up from table and walking around

·         Putting hand to bridge of nose

Positive gesture clusters - 5

Reassurance

·         Touching

·         Pinching flesh

·         Chewing pen or pencil

·         Rubbing over thumb

·         Touching back of chair on entering room

·         Biting finger nails

·         Hands in pockets

Positive gesture clusters - 6

Self-control

·         Holding arm behind back

·         Gripping wrist

·         Locked ankles

·         Clenched hands