Body Language

Definition

Body language is the language transmitted by gestures and postures

Some notions of body language

Body language:
Is an important and decisive factor when transmitting a message Provides information about an individuals character, emotions, and reactions

Movement is the original and most intense means of expression and of will

Movement is the starting point par excellence of human behavior

A person can stop speaking, but he cannot stop communicating with his body

NON-VERBAL symbols are four times more effective than VERBAL ones

All individuals have some knowledge of the vocabulary of body symbols

Non-verbal signs are grasped instinctively and directly

Signals emitted unconsciously always tell the truth

Gestures are the direct and unrepeatable expression of the personality

Each gesture synthesizes multiple contents, both conscious and unconscious

Everyone moves the way he or she is and is the way he or she moves

Body language is a sensorial process from the point of view of perception and emission

The more signals we consciously attempt to perceive and understand, the more accurate will be our interpretation of a persons conduct

Only those persons who live in awareness of their body will be able to maintain sensitive contact with their surrroundings

Three senses are used to interpret the outside world: Sight (visual person, 55%) Hearing (auditory person, 15%) Touch (kinetic person, 30%) Each person has a predominant sense

The 7 most important words: I admit I have made a mistake The 6 most important words : You have done a good job The 5 most important words : Tell me what you think

The 4 most important words : Do me a favor The 3 most important words : Thanks a lot The most important word : We The least important word : I

Territorial needs

Everyone has a defined body area, a territory, and a personal space, which is called a body buffer zone

Masking

Method by which we control our body so that it will not send out messages that our mind wants to hide

Posture

Posture is not only a way of punctuating a conversation, but it is also the way individuals relate with each other when they are in a group.

Types of posture
Inclusive or non-inclusive Face-to-face or parallel Congruent or incongruent

Inclusive or non-inclusive

These terms describe the way in which the members of a group include (or exclude) other people

Face-to-face

Posture when two individuals relate facing each other

Congruent - incongruent

This refers to the ability of the members of a group to imitate each other

Parts of the body and body language

Body movements include:

Facial expression

Eye movement

Body movements include :

Hands

Feet

Whole body

The meaning of gestures. Examples

Doubt: we raise an eyebrow

Scratching ones nose: puzzled

Holding eye contact Showing the palms of ones hands Covering ones mouth when talking

Interest/curiosity

Inviting trust

Insecurity

Avoiding eye-contact when talking

Not wanting to show feelings; or lying

Recommendations
The greeting: a good starting point (show openness) Dont blink constantly Try to keep a direct look and establish eye contact with the people you are talking to Dont bite your lips or moisten them with your tongue

Recommendations (Continued)
Always keep your mouth shut while you are listening Maintain an appropriate position and avoid constant abrupt movements Control the movements of your hands and keep them visible Do not allow any object to come between you and your audience

Recommendations (Continued)
Try to integrate with your audience and adapt your clothing to their social, economic, and other characteristics Do not cross your arms over your chest Do not cover your mouth with your hand while you are speaking Maintain a relaxed posture

He who does not understand a look will not understand a long explanation either Arab proverb