Body Language
Five Mistakes People Make
Reading Body Language
–
And Five Nonverbal Signals
That Send Positive Messages
This is one of a series of occasional papers by The
Dilenschneider Group to bring clients and friends a different perspective. We hope you find it of interest.
FIVE Mistakes People Make
Reading Body Language
–
and FIVE Nonverbal Signals that Send Positive Messages
Carol Kinsey Goman, Ph.D.
B
ody language was the basis for our earliest form of communication when the split-second ability to recognize if a person or situation was benign or dangerous was often a matter of life or death.
Today, nonverbal signals play a key role in helping us form quick impressions. But, as innate as this ability may be, not all of our impressions are accurate. Although our brains are hardwired to respond instantly to certain nonverbal cues, that circuitry was put in place a long time ago – when our ancient ancestors faced threats and challenges very different from those we face in today’s modern society. The problem is that the world has changed, but our body reading processes are still based on a primitive emotional reaction that hasn’t changed much since humans began interacting with one another. For example: In our prehistory, it may have been vitally important to see an approaching person’s hands in order to evaluate his intent. If hands were concealed they could very well be holding a rock, a club, or other means of doing us harm. In business interactions today, with no logical reason to do so, we still instinctively mistrust someone who keeps his hands out of sight -- in his pockets, below the table, or behind his back.
Your nonverbal signals don’t always convey what you intended them to. The following is adapted from my new book, “The
Silent Language of Leaders: How Body Language Can Help
– or Hurt – How You Lead.” Here are the five mistakes people make when they read body language – and five nonverbal signals that almost
Reading Body Language
–
And Five Nonverbal Signals
That Send Positive Messages
This is one of a series of occasional papers by The
Dilenschneider Group to bring clients and friends a different perspective. We hope you find it of interest.
FIVE Mistakes People Make
Reading Body Language
–
and FIVE Nonverbal Signals that Send Positive Messages
Carol Kinsey Goman, Ph.D.
B
ody language was the basis for our earliest form of communication when the split-second ability to recognize if a person or situation was benign or dangerous was often a matter of life or death.
Today, nonverbal signals play a key role in helping us form quick impressions. But, as innate as this ability may be, not all of our impressions are accurate. Although our brains are hardwired to respond instantly to certain nonverbal cues, that circuitry was put in place a long time ago – when our ancient ancestors faced threats and challenges very different from those we face in today’s modern society. The problem is that the world has changed, but our body reading processes are still based on a primitive emotional reaction that hasn’t changed much since humans began interacting with one another. For example: In our prehistory, it may have been vitally important to see an approaching person’s hands in order to evaluate his intent. If hands were concealed they could very well be holding a rock, a club, or other means of doing us harm. In business interactions today, with no logical reason to do so, we still instinctively mistrust someone who keeps his hands out of sight -- in his pockets, below the table, or behind his back.
Your nonverbal signals don’t always convey what you intended them to. The following is adapted from my new book, “The
Silent Language of Leaders: How Body Language Can Help
– or Hurt – How You Lead.” Here are the five mistakes people make when they read body language – and five nonverbal signals that almost