Body Language

Understand others and adapt your own!

Your Name
 Objectives
At the end of this training session you will be able to:

• Explain the important elements to consider

when interpreting Body Language

• Identify the messages being portrayed by

yours and other’s Body Language

• Apply your understanding of Body Language

to improve your communication style
Body Language Problems
Their Signal
Interpretation

Our Signal
Interpretation

Awareness &
Imbalance

Attitude
 Context

Culture Clusters

Five
C’s

Consistency Congruence
 Gestures

Arm Barriers Palm Gestures Handshakes

Hand & Thumb Hand to Face Eye Signals

Arm Barriers
 Arm Barriers

The crossed arm gesture is

demonstrated by the arms being neatly
folded across the chest to protect the
heart, lungs and other vital organs.
 Arm Barriers

The Self-Reassurance crossed arm

gesture is demonstrated by crossing
arms and holding on to biceps or elbows.
 Arm Barriers

The Self Hand Hold gesture is

demonstrated by a crossed hand
gesture with one hand inside or across
the other ‘protecting’ the genitals.
 Arm Barriers
The One Arm Cross is demonstrated by
one arm coming across the body and
touching or holding the other arm.
 Arm Barriers
The Thumbs-Up Arm Cross is
demonstrated by taking the
crossed arm stance and then
turning the thumbs vertically up.
Subtle Arm Crosses
 Palm Gestures

Open or Submissive Dominant

Aggressive
 Handshakes
Both hands vertical Hand palm down Hand palm up
 Different Handshakes

Hand Hug Bone Crusher Pull In

Push Away Dead Fish Fingertips

Hand & Thumb Gestures
Steeple
Hands
Clenched Grip Hand
Hands at Back

Rubbing Thumbs
Hands Up / Out
Hand to Face Gestures

…or How to Spot a Liar!

 Hand to Face Quiz
1 2 3

MouthLyingCover
NoseLyingTouch EyeLyingRub

4 5 6
EarLyingRub NeckLyingScratch CollarLyingPull
 Chin & Cheek Gestures
Chin rests on open hand, Closed hand resting on
which is taking the full cheek with index finger
1 weight of the head. 2 pointing upwards.

Index finger points up the Hand strokes the chin,

cheek, whilst the thumb person leans forward
3 supports chin. 4 with open body gesture.

Hand strokes the chin;

person sits back with
5 arms and legs crossed.
 Pupil Dilation

Negative or Excited or
Unhappy – Happy –
Pupils Contract Pupils Dilate
 The Gaze
If a person is being dishonest or keeping information from
you they will meet your eyes less than one third of the
time

If they meet your gaze for more than two thirds of the time
it can mean one of two things
They find you interesting or They are hostile to you and may
appealing be issuing a challenge
(the pupils will be dilated) (the pupils will be contracted)

To build good rapport with someone, your gaze should

meet theirs 60-70% of time
 Directed Gaze

Business Social Intimate

Gaze Gaze Gaze
 Eye Accessing Cues
A person’s eye movement, shown as you face them

Visually Visually
Constructed Remembered

Auditory Auditory
Constructed Remembered

Auditory
Kinaesthetic (internal
dialogue)
Bringing it All Together
 Objectives
At the end of this training session you will be able to:

• Explain the important elements to consider

when interpreting Body Language

• Identify the messages being portrayed by

yours and other’s Body Language

• Apply your understanding of Body Language

to improve your communication style