

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