Body Language

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

Our signal
Their signal Awareness & Attitude
interpretation
interpretation Imbalance
Five C’s

Clusters Consistency

C C C C C
Context Congruence Culture
Gestures

Palm Hand &

Eye signals
gestures thumb

Arm Hand to
barriers Handshakes face
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
Hand Gestures

Both hands vertical Hand palm down Hand palm up

Different Handshakes

Hand Hug Bone Crusher Pull In

Push Away Wet Fish Fingertips

Hand and Thumb Gestures
Rubbing hands

Clenched hands

Steeple hands

Grip hand at back

Thumbs up/out
Hand to Face Gestures

…or how to spot a liar!

Hand to Face Quiz

1 2 3

Mouth Cover
Lying Nose Touch
Lying Eye Rub
Lying
4 5 6

Ear Rub
Lying Neck Scratch
Lying Collar
Lying Pull
Chin and Cheek Gestures

Chin rests on open hand, Closed hand resting on

which is taking the full cheek with index finger
weight of the head. pointing upwards.

Index finger points up the Hand strokes the chin,

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

Hand strokes the chin;

person sits back with arms
and legs crossed.
Pupil Dilation

Excited or Happy: Negative or Unhappy:

Pupils Dilate Pupils Contract
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 be
appealing 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 Intimate
Social gaze
gaze gaze
Eye Accessing Cues
A person’s eye movement, shown as you face them

Visually constructed Visually remembered Kinaesthetic

Auditory constructed Auditory remembered Auditory (internal dialogue)

Bringing it All Together
Objectives
Now you can:

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