Body Language

Body language is a window on your thoughts:

Folded Arms-If folded by someone you are talking to, they are saying leave me alone or I don't accept or am not interested in what you say.

Arms behind head, leaning back-In a new relationship, it is often used to express a desire for control or power.

Body tense-Stiffness, jerky body motion, hands clasped in front or palms down on the table indicates concern with the topic.

Hand Covering Mouth, Chin-You are not being open, you could be lying or you could just feel insecure and vulnerable. If you touch your face when someone else is speaking, it could be that you don't believe what is being said.

Fidgeting-Moving around, playing with things and drumming fingers are signs of boredom, nervousness or impatience

Knees buckle-As you answer a question. Soft spot has been hit and you're looking for easing of the pressure.

Leaning away-Avoiding moving closer, even when something is handed to the person, is very negative. Negative body language is less reliable than positive language as an indicator of comfort.

Negative actions may indicate that the person is tired, or result from other matters weighing on this person's mind.

Individual body positions or movements are frequently meaningless. Some people form a smile or a frown more naturally than a neutral expression. Others lean on their hand all the time; others never do it. Some people can't sit in a chair for more than a few minutes without crossing their arms; others sit erect with their hands at their sides.

What is meaningful, however, is a transition from one body position to another. If a person spends the entire meeting leaning forward, that may be just comfort. But if the same person starts out leaning back and then gradually moves forward as the meeting progresses, that's non-verbal communication. Elements Are Ö

Physical movements Ö Vocal Tone Eye Contact Recognized and absorbed instinctively and quickly.Interpretation relies on repetition and to the environment.

Closed Body Language

Pointing of finger at your listener or on desk Appears very aggressive. Listener shuts it out. Use open language

Hands behind head leaning back in chair- Egotistical, superiority attitude

Hand on neck - Person you are talking to is a pain in the neck.

Blocking view by shielding eyes with hands or turning away...no eye contact You don't believe what you are saying / they can't read you Crossed arms. Defensive action. You don't want to talk about it or you haven't bought in yet. You could also be cold.

Chin on hands. - Bored

Playing with a pen or something in your hands.- Bored/nervous

Open Body Language

Leaning forward - Listening

Nodding - Understanding. Don't do this on camera

Head tilted (When listening) Open to hearing the facts. Don't do this on camera

Open palms I believe this. Honest gesture.

Touching Back of neck - You are a pain in the neck

Face earlobe - Don't believe or trust you. You don't believe what is being said...you may know it is not true.

Touching other person's arm. - Establishes relationship

Vocal Tone

Ends on a high note - Positive-open -

Ends on a low note - Negative-closed

Smiles - Willingness to help-you can hear them too