Pharos University In Alexandria
Faculty of Mass communication
Communication Skills
Dr. Enjy Mahmoud
Week #:7
Lecture #:7
Fall 2013-2014
By Dr Enjy Mahmoud
MOVING THE SHOULDERS
 Slumped shoulders (while standing or sitting) say your
prospect is indifferent.
 Shoulders hunched is often viewed as an aggressive
posture.
 Likewise, shoulders high and forward, stand for
domination. This person is hard to lead!
COMING TO THE ARMS
 Arms tightly folded against the chest signifies hostility.
Your message is not getting through.
 Are your prospect’s arms back and hands clasped on the
chest? This may mean he is a humble person, but not
necessarily the right person to clinch the sale.
 Watch out for elbows on the knees or dangling hands.
This often means you’re not with a decision maker.
DROPPING TO THE FEET
 Both feet pressed solidly on the floor are a protection
stance meaning the client feels threatened.
 Feet relaxed, tipped upward or off the floor is a sign of
control and confidence.
 Swinging the feet or legs crossed with feet wagging says
“impatience”…this person wants to get the discussion
resolved, quickly!
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Brisk, erect walk Confidence
Standing with hands on hips Readiness, aggression
Sitting with legs crossed, foot kicking's lightly Boredom
Sitting, legs apart Open, relaxed
Walking with hands in pockets, shoulders hunched
Dejection
 Hand to cheek Evaluation, thinking
 Touching, slightly rubbing nose Rejection, doubt, lying
 Head resting in hand, eyes downcast Boredom
 Sitting with hands clasped behind head, legs crossed
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Confidence, superiority
Open palm Sincerity, openness, innocence
Tapping or drumming fingers Impatience
Tilted head Interest
Stroking chin Trying to make a decision
Looking down, face turned away Disbelief
Pulling or tugging at ear Indecision
SPACE
 In order to communicate effectively with people, whether in our own
culture or in others less familiar, we need to understand accepted
boundaries. The use of space between people who are communicating
has been studied extensively. Here is a brief description of how we use
space in the communication process:
 Public space ranges from 12 to 25 feet and is the distance maintained
 between the audience and a speaker, such as the President and
reporters at a press conference, or a professor and students in a
classroom.
 Social space ranges from 4 to 12 feet and is used for communication
 among business associates, as well as to separate strangers using public
 areas such as beaches and bus stops.
 Personal space ranges from 2 to 4 feet and is used
among friends and family members, and to separate
people waiting in lines at teller machines or fast food
vendors for example.
 Intimate space ranges out to one foot and involves a
high probability of touching, as in whispering and
embracing. We reserve intimate space for parents, our
children, spouses, and close friends.
 Use of public, social, personal, and intimate space is
interesting to observe in all cultures
 Disgust: To offend the good taste, moral sense, and cause
extreme dislike or revulsion
 Content : Satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting
more or anything else.
 Happy Delighted, pleased, or glad, as over a particular
thing
 Threaten : A declaration of an intention or determination
to inflict punishment, injury, etc., in retaliation for, or
conditionally upon, some action or course
 Frustrated: To make (plans, efforts, etc.) worthless or of
no avail; defeat; nullify
 Frown: To contract the brow, as in displeasure or deep
thought; scowl.
 Grimace: A facial expression, often ugly or contorted, that
indicates disapproval, pain.
 Suspicious :Tending to cause or excite suspicion;
questionable: behavior
 Fear : A distressing emotion aroused by impending
danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or
imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid
Tips for best body language
 Don’t cross your arms or legs make you seem
defensive or guarded
 Have eye contact, but don’t stare
 Taking up space by for example sitting or standing
with your legs apart a bit signals self-confidence and
that you are comfortable in your own skin
 Relax your shoulders Try to loosen up by shaking the
shoulders a bit and move them back slightly
 Don’t slouch, sit up straight But in a relaxed way,
not in a too tense manner
 Lean, but not too much show that you are
interested in what someone is saying, lean toward the
person talking.
 If you want to show that you’re confident in yourself
and relaxed lean back a bit. But don’t lean in too much
 Smile and laugh lighten up, don’t take yourself too
seriously. Relax a bit, smile and laugh when someone
says something funny
 Don’t touch your face It might make you seem
nervous and can be distracting for the listeners or the
people in the conversation
 Keep your head up your eyes on the ground, it might
make you seem insecure and lost
 Slow down a bit makes you seem more calm and
confident, less stressed
 Use your hands more confidently to describe
something or to add weight to a point you are trying to
make. But don’t use them to much or it might become
distracting.
 Don’t stand too close Let people have their personal
space, don’t invade it.