Reading Body Language

Reading Body LanguageReading Body LanguageNon verbal communication, or Non verbal communication, or

body languagebody language

““First Impressions”First Impressions”• ““A picture is worth a thousand words.”A picture is worth a thousand words.”The picture “you” create will have great The picture “you” create will have great

influence. Most impressions are formed influence. Most impressions are formed within the first 7 seconds of meeting within the first 7 seconds of meeting someone. Early judgment is based strictly someone. Early judgment is based strictly on appearance. Furthermore, studies on appearance. Furthermore, studies reveal that employers consistently ask the reveal that employers consistently ask the question, “does the individual look right question, “does the individual look right for the job?”for the job?”

““Psychology Today”Psychology Today”• 7% is conveyed by words7% is conveyed by words• 38% by vocal tones38% by vocal tones• 55% by facial and body expression55% by facial and body expression

Reading body language is an Reading body language is an important skill!important skill!

First ImpressionsFirst ImpressionsPositive gestures create Positive gestures create

impressions.impressions.

““Acceptance”Acceptance”• Hand to chestHand to chest• Open arms and handsOpen arms and hands• Touching gesturesTouching gestures• Moving closer, one to anotherMoving closer, one to another• PreeningPreening

““Confidence”Confidence”• SteeplingSteepling• Hand behind back authority positionHand behind back authority position• Back stiffenedBack stiffened• Hands in coat pockets with thumbs Hands in coat pockets with thumbs

outout• Hands on lapels of coatHands on lapels of coat

““Expectancy”Expectancy”• Rubbing palmsRubbing palms• Jingling money openlyJingling money openly• Crossed fingersCrossed fingers• Moving closerMoving closer

Cooperation, readiness, Cooperation, readiness, opennessopenness• Open handsOpen hands• Hands on hipsHands on hips• Sitting on edge of chairSitting on edge of chair• Arms spread, gripping edge of table Arms spread, gripping edge of table

or deskor desk• Moving closerMoving closer• Hand to face gesturesHand to face gestures

““Evaluation”Evaluation”• Head tiltedHead tilted• Stroking chinStroking chin• Peering over glassesPeering over glasses• Taking glasses off and, and cleaningTaking glasses off and, and cleaning• Putting eye glass ear piece in mouthPutting eye glass ear piece in mouth• Getting up from table and walking aroundGetting up from table and walking around• Putting hand to bridge of nosePutting hand to bridge of nose

““Reassurance”Reassurance”• TouchingTouching• Chewing pen or pencilChewing pen or pencil• Rubbing over thumbRubbing over thumb• Hands in pocketsHands in pockets

Key Factors/Favorable First Key Factors/Favorable First ImpressionsImpressions

““Your Appearance”Your Appearance”• Good personal hygieneGood personal hygiene• Tasteful clothingTasteful clothing• Clean, sharp, and ironedClean, sharp, and ironed• CoordinatedCoordinated• Limited accessoriesLimited accessories

““Eye Contact”Eye Contact”• SteadySteady• RelaxedRelaxed• About 5 secondsAbout 5 seconds

““Your Smile”Your Smile”• Relaxed and sincereRelaxed and sincere• Slightly openSlightly open• Use all facial musclesUse all facial muscles

““Eyes”Eyes”• Communicate more than any other Communicate more than any other

part of the human anatomy. Staring part of the human anatomy. Staring or gazing can create pressure and or gazing can create pressure and tension. Maintained eye contact can tension. Maintained eye contact can show if a person is trustworthy, show if a person is trustworthy, sincere or caring.sincere or caring.

““Your handshake”Your handshake”• DryDry• FirmFirm• Maintain eye contactMaintain eye contact

““What to Avoid”What to Avoid”• Playing with your hairPlaying with your hair• Crossing your armsCrossing your arms• Fidgeting, foot tappingFidgeting, foot tapping• Touching your faceTouching your face

““The Secret Language of The Secret Language of Success”Success”

David Lewis, author and David Lewis, author and psychologistpsychologist

It only takes a few secondsIt only takes a few secondsto make lasting first to make lasting first

impressions.impressions.

““Manage your impression”Manage your impression”• Practice good posturePractice good posture• Shape upShape up• Demonstrate self-controlDemonstrate self-control• Banish negative thoughtsBanish negative thoughts• Be conscious of your body languageBe conscious of your body language (look alert, interested, pleasant)(look alert, interested, pleasant)

Non-Verbal BehaviorNon-Verbal BehaviorLet’s observe……Let’s observe……

What “impression” do you What “impression” do you formulate?formulate?

A brisk, erect walk?A brisk, erect walk?

The answer?The answer?Confidence!Confidence!

Sitting with legs crossed, Sitting with legs crossed, foot kicking slightly?foot kicking slightly?

The answer?The answer?Boredom!Boredom!

Arms crossed on chest?Arms crossed on chest?

The answer?The answer?DefensivenessDefensiveness

Walking with hands in Walking with hands in pockets, shoulders pockets, shoulders

hunchedhunched

The answer?The answer?DejectionDejection

Touching, slightly rubbing Touching, slightly rubbing nose?nose?

The answer?The answer?Rejection, doubt, lyingRejection, doubt, lying

Hands clasped behind Hands clasped behind back?back?

The answer?The answer?Anger, frustration, Anger, frustration,

apprehensionapprehension

Rubbing hands?Rubbing hands?The answer……The answer……

AnticipationAnticipation

Sitting with hands clasped Sitting with hands clasped behind head?behind head?

The answer?The answer?Confidence, superiorityConfidence, superiority

Tapping or drumming Tapping or drumming fingers?fingers?

The answer?The answer?ImpatienceImpatience

Tilted head?Tilted head?

The answer?The answer?Interest!Interest!

Social SkillsSocial Skills• Work on Work on vocal cues, space, and vocal cues, space, and

gesturesgestures. When you interact socially . When you interact socially you develop listening and observation you develop listening and observation skills.skills.

• This is a great opportunity to practice This is a great opportunity to practice “first impressions” and good body “first impressions” and good body language.language.

If you want to win someone If you want to win someone over a good rule of thumb is over a good rule of thumb is

to mirror his or her body to mirror his or her body language.language.

CommunicationCommunicationBegins with a First ImpressionBegins with a First Impression

Every relationship whether Every relationship whether personal or business starts personal or business starts with a first impression. with a first impression. Remember, the right body Remember, the right body language and conversation language and conversation takes just seconds to set the takes just seconds to set the stage for a winning stage for a winning impression.impression.

What do YOU see? Dogs communicate with nearly every part

of their bodies.Can you read these dogs' body language?

Look at eyes, ears, lips, posture, etc.

What do YOU see? Did you know that a nose lick is a "calming signal" or appeasement gesture?

READING DOG BODY LANGUAGE

This dog is under extreme stress.

Looking to handler for reassurance.

Ears back and down, pinned flat against neck. Wide open mouth, lips drawn back, rapid respiration. Center of gravity forward, shoulders lowered, hunched forward. Tail tucked, tension in haunches, probably trembling.

How to greet this dog: Stand sideways, using calming signals - yawn, deep sigh, pick at the floor (imitates sniffing) will help her relax and feel safer. Avoid stroking and cooing "it's ok, it's alright." Excess adrenalin results in suppressed appetite; the dog will be able to take food when her stress level comes down. 

Calming signals, appeasement

Body curved in C-shape

Head lowered and turned away, nose down  Ears lowered but relaxed

Tenseness over eyebrows

Eyes squinted but soft, blinking

Lips soft

Nose, lip lick

Body weight shifted, paw probably raised

Avoidance - aggressive response likely if approached too quickly or cornered.

Dog is in C-shape, looking away, but head is lifted slightly, pupils dilated in a frozen stare, watching with peripheral vision.  Center of gravity is toward oncoming"threat"  Ears back and lowered, tail low. Lips are forward and in tense line.  Tenseness over muzzle, whiskers erect.  Tenseness in the haunches.

"La-la-la-la I don't see you."

Note: this dog is not looking to a person for reassurance, he's looking at the wall - trying to be invisible.  Nose up, ears back.  Whale eye stare. Lips drawn back. (fear) Flight would be his first choice, but he is cornered by being on leash and against a wall.

                                                                           ..                                               

Beware the cornered dog. Always leave an escape Beware the cornered dog. Always leave an escape route!route!

Relaxed, confident and well-socialized.                                                  

Lips, ears, facial muscles, eyes are relaxed, respiration normal. For more information on body language and calming signals, Turrid Rugaas' Calming Signals booklet and video, available

through Dogwise!

This handout may be reprinted in its entirety for distribution free of charge and with full credit given:CAROL A. BYRNES "DIAMONDS IN THE RUFF" Training for Dogs & Their People -ditr_training @ hotmail.com - http://www.diamondsintheruff.com

For more information contact For more information contact Colleen Pate, Career Colleen Pate, Career

Development CoordinatorDevelopment CoordinatorAngela Jeffrey, Academically and Angela Jeffrey, Academically and Intellectually Gifted CoordinatorIntellectually Gifted Coordinator

(Pender County Schools)(Pender County Schools)

[email protected]@pendercountyschools.net