Monday, October 30, 2006
Insider Secrets On How To Read Body-Language
Interpreting vital meanings signalled by posture, gesture and expression
You expect a professional keynote speaker to know a bit about body-language. But when her main subject is self-empowerment, you can be sure you’re getting an extra special brand of insight into the mysteries of non-verbal communication.
“It’s more spontaneous than speech, and often more revealing” says popular motivational speaker Carole Spiers, who regularly addresses management audiences all over the world on a theme that she has made her own: sustainable success.
To be able to interpret that huge hidden vocabulary of body, hand and face is clearly a major asset in business (as well as social life), and should be part of any manager’s toolkit of soft skills. By improving your reading of people, it will improve your reading of whole situations. It can give you the advantage in tough interviews or sales pitches, by providing you with tactical intelligence that you can react-to on the spot. Altogether, it simply turns you into a higher grade of communicator.
As a motivational keynote speaker, Carole has both interpreted and utilised body-language to a high degree, and few people are better equipped to enlighten you about it.
The following tips are just a sample of the many fascinating insights into body-language that Carole has acquired from in-depth study and first-hand observation across twenty years:
When standing…
(i) Head posture
The position of the head reveals much about your attitude towards the other person. The erect posture indicates a neutral position, suitable for inviting a newcomer to state his business. A sideways tilt expresses active interest and encouragement. The lowered ‘charging bull’ angle means hostility and suspicion.
(ii) The hands
Arms crossed or held across the stomach indicate a defensive stance, discouraging an approach. Hands behind the back assert formality, perhaps calling us to order. Hands in pockets clearly show disrespect, and hand-wringing means uncertainty. Best keep the hands loosely held at the sides, casual but alert.
When sitting…
(i) Facial expression
This should normally be kept neutral to avoid distractions and encourage steady dialogue, except when occasionally smiling agreement or registering mild surprise. Fully-raised eyebrows indicate disbelief, half-lowered brows show puzzlement and fully-lowered brows signal anger.
(ii) Gestures
Open palms invite confidence. Gripping the chair suggests inhibition. Thumb gestures indicate control, but may be found disrespectful. Steepled fingers inspire confidence, but can look patronising. A single nod can improve the atmosphere remarkably, as well as relieving an awkward stare.
Communication skills are only one area of Empowerment and Personal Development in which keynote professional speaker Carole Spiers has acquired her enviable niche on the speaking circuit in the UK and abroad.
See Carole live at London Ecademy – lst November 2006
http://www.ecademy.com/module.php?mod=meeting&mid=12163
Carole Spiers – inspirational motivational speaker occupies a special niche as an expert in Personal Development. She brings together the separate cultures of individual empowerment and executive management - proving to corporate business that empowered employees improve performance and output. Carole’s keynote presentations have educated and inspired audiences all over the world. She is also a high profile broadcaster, journalist and President of the London Chapter of the Professional Speakers Association.
Our publications and sales CDs have been sold globally. To sign up for our FREE success quotations http://tinyurl.co.uk/yhgv, or for more information email info@carolespiers.com to telephone +44 (0) 29 8954 1593 www.carolespiers.com
You expect a professional keynote speaker to know a bit about body-language. But when her main subject is self-empowerment, you can be sure you’re getting an extra special brand of insight into the mysteries of non-verbal communication.
“It’s more spontaneous than speech, and often more revealing” says popular motivational speaker Carole Spiers, who regularly addresses management audiences all over the world on a theme that she has made her own: sustainable success.
To be able to interpret that huge hidden vocabulary of body, hand and face is clearly a major asset in business (as well as social life), and should be part of any manager’s toolkit of soft skills. By improving your reading of people, it will improve your reading of whole situations. It can give you the advantage in tough interviews or sales pitches, by providing you with tactical intelligence that you can react-to on the spot. Altogether, it simply turns you into a higher grade of communicator.
As a motivational keynote speaker, Carole has both interpreted and utilised body-language to a high degree, and few people are better equipped to enlighten you about it.
The following tips are just a sample of the many fascinating insights into body-language that Carole has acquired from in-depth study and first-hand observation across twenty years:
When standing…
(i) Head posture
The position of the head reveals much about your attitude towards the other person. The erect posture indicates a neutral position, suitable for inviting a newcomer to state his business. A sideways tilt expresses active interest and encouragement. The lowered ‘charging bull’ angle means hostility and suspicion.
(ii) The hands
Arms crossed or held across the stomach indicate a defensive stance, discouraging an approach. Hands behind the back assert formality, perhaps calling us to order. Hands in pockets clearly show disrespect, and hand-wringing means uncertainty. Best keep the hands loosely held at the sides, casual but alert.
When sitting…
(i) Facial expression
This should normally be kept neutral to avoid distractions and encourage steady dialogue, except when occasionally smiling agreement or registering mild surprise. Fully-raised eyebrows indicate disbelief, half-lowered brows show puzzlement and fully-lowered brows signal anger.
(ii) Gestures
Open palms invite confidence. Gripping the chair suggests inhibition. Thumb gestures indicate control, but may be found disrespectful. Steepled fingers inspire confidence, but can look patronising. A single nod can improve the atmosphere remarkably, as well as relieving an awkward stare.
Communication skills are only one area of Empowerment and Personal Development in which keynote professional speaker Carole Spiers has acquired her enviable niche on the speaking circuit in the UK and abroad.
See Carole live at London Ecademy – lst November 2006
http://www.ecademy.com/module.php?mod=meeting&mid=12163
Carole Spiers – inspirational motivational speaker occupies a special niche as an expert in Personal Development. She brings together the separate cultures of individual empowerment and executive management - proving to corporate business that empowered employees improve performance and output. Carole’s keynote presentations have educated and inspired audiences all over the world. She is also a high profile broadcaster, journalist and President of the London Chapter of the Professional Speakers Association.
Our publications and sales CDs have been sold globally. To sign up for our FREE success quotations http://tinyurl.co.uk/yhgv, or for more information email info@carolespiers.com to telephone +44 (0) 29 8954 1593 www.carolespiers.com
# posted by Carole Spiers @ 11:52 PM 
