Reading Body Language
Non verbal communication, or
body language
“First Impressions”
• “A picture is worth a thousand words.”
The picture “you” create will have great influence.
Most impressions are formed within the first 7
seconds of meeting someone. Early judgment is
based strictly on appearance. Furthermore,
studies reveal that employers consistently ask
the question, “does the individual look right for
the job?”
“Psychology Today”
• 7% is conveyed by words
• 38% by vocal tones
• 55% by facial and body expression
Reading body language is an important skill!
First Impressions
Positive gestures create
impressions.
“Acceptance”
• Hand to chest
• Open arms and hands
• Touching gestures
• Moving closer, one to another
• Preening
“Confidence”
• Steepling
• Hand behind back authority position
• Back stiffened
• Hands in coat pockets with thumbs out
• Hands on lapels of coat
“Expectancy”
• Rubbing palms
• Jingling money openly
• Crossed fingers
• Moving closer
Cooperation, readiness, openness
• Open hands
• Hands on hips
• Sitting on edge of chair
• Arms spread, gripping edge of table or
desk
• Moving closer
• Hand to face gestures
“Evaluation”
• Head tilted
• Stroking chin
• Peering over glasses
• Taking glasses off and, and cleaning
• Putting eye glass ear piece in mouth
• Getting up from table and walking around
• Putting hand to bridge of nose
“Reassurance”
• Touching
• Chewing pen or pencil
• Rubbing over thumb
• Hands in pockets
Key Factors/Favorable First
Impressions
“Your Appearance”
• Good personal hygiene
• Tasteful clothing
• Clean, sharp, and ironed
• Coordinated
• Limited accessories
“Eye Contact”
• Steady
• Relaxed
• About 5 seconds
“Your Smile”
• Relaxed and sincere
• Slightly open
• Use all facial muscles
“Eyes”
• Communicate more than any other part of
the human anatomy. Staring or gazing
can create pressure and tension.
Maintained eye contact can show if a
person is trustworthy, sincere or caring.
“Your handshake”
• Dry
• Firm
• Maintain eye contact
“What to Avoid”
• Playing with your hair
• Crossing your arms
• Fidgeting, foot tapping
• Touching your face
“The Secret Language of
Success”
David Lewis, author and
psychologist
It only takes a few seconds
to make lasting first impressions.
“Manage your impression”
• Practice good posture
• Shape up
• Demonstrate self-control
• Banish negative thoughts
• Be conscious of your body language
(look alert, interested, pleasant)
Non-Verbal Behavior
Let’s observe……
What “impression” do you
formulate?
A brisk, erect walk?
The answer?
Confidence!
Sitting with legs crossed, foot
kicking slightly?
The answer?
Boredom!
Arms crossed on chest?
The answer?
Defensiveness
Walking with hands in
pockets, shoulders hunched
The answer?
Dejection
Touching, slightly rubbing
nose?
The answer?
Rejection, doubt, lying
Hands clasped behind back?
The answer?
Anger, frustration, apprehension
Rubbing hands?
The answer……
Anticipation
Sitting with hands clasped
behind head?
The answer?
Confidence, superiority
Tapping or drumming fingers?
The answer?
Impatience
Tilted head?
The answer?
Interest!
Social Skills
• Work on vocal cues, space, and gestures.
When you interact socially you develop
listening and observation skills.
• This is a great opportunity to practice
“first impressions” and good body
language.
If you want to win someone over
a good rule of thumb is to mirror
his or her body language.
Communication
Begins with a First Impression
Every relationship whether
personal or business starts with a
first impression. Remember, the
right body language and
conversation takes just seconds
to set the stage for a winning
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 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
Colleen Pate, Career Development
Coordinator
Angela Jeffrey, Academically and
Intellectually Gifted Coordinator
(Pender County Schools)
patec.htsh@pendercountyschools.net