Just like the topic has suggested, “highlights” means just brushing through the whole concept. This is because if we are to explain everything to its very depth, it would span through hundreds of thousands of pages. However, rest assured that you will get the very best in this short piece. The signals that will be discussed here can be seen as being “static” or “permanent”. According to the author of Study Body Language (SBL) platform, “Static body language signs are easy to observe and they change moderately, only when there’s a change in the general mood or trail of thought of the person you observe. Gestures on the other hand are used as specific tools to make a certain point or as accidental nonverbal “leaks.””
There are five major things that body language signals can tell an observing person. First, it shows how comfortable or stressed a person is at present. Do they feel confident or insecure? It also shows our intentions to leave, where to go and whom to be with. It explains relations and power struggles between superiors and their subordinates. Through body language signals, you can know how sociable and approachable a person is. Most importantly, body language tells us if someone is on the same page with us and they are actually following us through a conversation. To surmise it all, you can always get lots of good indicators of the state of mind of a person through observance of their posture, how they lay their head and even position of their limbs.
Let me start the highlight of the signals from the head. In fact, the SBL states that “The position of the head is one of the quickest giveaways to mood or attitude in body language.” The reason being that there is a direct correlation between how individuals feel and how they hold their head. For instance, happy and confident people will often hold their head high while depressed beings will easily surrender and will not put efforts in holding their head. That is why a general rule believes that the higher the position of the head the higher the emotional condition of the person – I.e. Feeling better and stronger (SBL, 2018). On the other hand, when you look down your nose, your head will be tilted back while you cheeks move forward. This gesture has been associated with arrogant or aristocracy characters. The look is always snobbish in a cocky head position. This is tantamount to saying “I am better than you.” According to the SBL, it’s an annoying and dismissive signal that’s often combined with a doubtful look on the face (raising one brow) and rolling of the eyes. It can actually be enhanced further by clasping the hands behind the neckhead and spreading them to the sides to create a “know-it-all” impression.
Further, body language gestures can also be used to show attitude of a person. This can wither be positive or negative. It’s important to pay attention and adjust your posture regularly because posture is a matter of habit – having bad habits lead to bad health and image problems, having good habits lead to great health and good first impressions. For example, people with hunched shoulders are perceived as lazy, passive and indecisive compared to people who hold themselves straight with open shoulders and hands on hips (SBL, 2018).
Let’s kick-off from the negative body language. According to Karin Gonzalez (2018), negative body language is either a conscious or an unconscious expression of negative feelings through movements of the body. Being skilled at noticing negative body language can assist one with personal or professional relationships and knowing when another is dissatisfied or unhappy. It can help to know what negative body language to avoid if one wants to leave a good impression on an audience or listener. Body language can be even more important than spoken words. The foremost type of body language is the avoidance of eye contact. This brings about nervousness, lack of confidence, dishonesty and having a low self-esteem about yourself. It can also come through staring and intense eagerness. Giving too much eye contact, on the other hand, can make one look too eager and lead to an awkward exchange. The receiver of the eye contact will probably feel uneasy. Also, if you observe people speaking at a party, you will find that many stand with their arms or hands in front of them. Their arms could be crossed, or their hands could be clasped in front of their crotch. This could be an unconscious creation of a barrier between themselves and the person to whom they are speaking. Speaking with arms to one’s side, on the other hand, can indicate openness and friendliness (Gonzalez, 2018).
With conscious efforts, you can always display positive body language; it doesn’t have to be negative at all times. The first to appearing positive is to avoid barriers. In order to establish trust with anyone we need to show them that we’re not a threat to them, and we don’t fear them either. When you are defensive, it affects your attitude negatively; it makes it very unimaginably difficult for others to approach us. In addition, lean forward towards your co-interlocutor. When you like someone you want to get closer to himher, it’s that simple. The closer you get, the more interested you are. Hence, leaning forward, especially when combined with nodding and smiling, it’s the most distinct way to say nonverbally: “yes, I like what you’re saying, keep going” (SBL, 2018). However, you must not overdo this gesture so as not to appear fake. If you extend your leaning beyond normal, this means you are invading the personal space of the person which will make them uncomfortable. Now, you understand the reason for leaning forward while trying to intimidate an opponent? Also, nodding, smiling and leaning forward at all times depicts you as someone who wants to please always and this regrettably lowers your self-esteem. Hence, let me safely conclude that you should not get “too positive.”
References
Gonzalez, K (2018). Negative Body Language: Examples and Signs. Retrieved from https://study.com/academy/lesson/negative-body-language-examples-signs.html
SBL (2018).Body Language Signs. Retrieved from http://www.study-body-language.com/Body-language-signs.html
SBL (2018).Open and Positive Body Language Postures. Retrieved from http://www.study-body-language.com/Positive-body-language.html
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