At Deluxe, I have been provided additional investment in me. Apparently the Executive Director of Research and Decision Sciences decided that I needed a "Communications" coach so she earmarked funds for it. The reason - my laugh. Apparently the ED thought it was a "nervous tick" that needed to be address along with other things such as how I listen and engage in meetings.
I have actually found the intervention somewhat helpful as the coach has come in a few times to engage in diagnosing and addressing my communication skills. But I just wanted to share with you some of the things I learned regarding body language, which apparently is 85%-90% of our communication. Here's some signals and what message they convey from what my coach has said.
Hands to face: the person is lying
Scratching neck/hand: the person is in doubt
Head down, peering over glasses: the person is judgmental
Head up, looking down on audience: the person is arrogant
Bowed head: the person is shy
Constant nodding, bobbing: the person is very anxious or eager to please
Cocked/titled head: the person is confused or is trying to flirt
Hands behind head, leaning back in chair: the person is a confident "know it all"
Hands clasped behind back, palm-in-palm: the person is conveying superiority/authority
Hands on hips: the person is aggressive and wants to appear bigger
Standing with palms up and outward: the person is trying to show openness and honesty
Rubbing hands together: Positive expectation or devious
Hands clenched with fingers interlocked: the person is insecure and negative
Crossed arms : person feels rejected or shy (women can sometime say they are cold)
Crossed legs standing up: The person is nervous, shy and insecure
Straddling a chair: the person is dominant and aggressive.
So there you have it folks. The results so far of what I've been told. What do you think of them?
Hmm, Very interesting. Thanks for sharing, ERic. :)
ReplyDeletewhat?! it sounds like anything one does, one looks bad according to this guy!
ReplyDeleteStand straight. Look straight ahead. Oh, and raise both hands with palms outward. Like you're being arrested. That's the way to look.
ReplyDeleteGood posture, a firm handshake, and a genuine smile will afford you many things in life that gold cannot buy.
ReplyDeleteIn all honesty, communication studies is very fascinating. However, this seems more like nitpicking to me.
ReplyDeleteSome postures and poses may indicate some inner-feeling or personality, but it fails to take into account that people are individuals and hence have individual quirks. Without our idiosyncrasies, how boring would life be?