Body language

Body language 

Autonomous signals

The autonomous signals are the signals we can’t handle immediately, for example to blush, to sweat or shake. There is nothing you can do about these signals immediately, but the more secure you are in your role, the less other people will recognize the autonomous signals when they occur. In addition, other people don’t see the signals the way you think they do.

Displacement activities

A displacement activity is a movement that is not immediately connected to the subject you are talking about. An example could be that you are rocking with your legs under the table or you are staying in front of people clicking a pen while you are giving an instruction. These activities are activities that now make sense.
Displacement activities are a kind of models that you have more or less incorporated in your communication. These activities calm you and relax you when you feel nervous or need time to think. Many displacement activities are characterized by touching yourself or a thing e.g. a pen, and that touch gives security. Displacement activities can also be a way to use extra energy.
A displacement activity you are doing again and again can distract your audience’s attention. They will pay more attention to your activity than to your message.

The language of your hands

It can be very difficult to keep your hands and your arms at rest when you are communicating with other people. The reason for that is that the movement – the gesture – often supports the words you say:
• We repeat what we have just said
• We underline what we say
• We draw pictures of what we say
• We conduct the conversation
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We use sounds which have no meaning
any people are aware and train to keep their hands at rest. But if you make yourself free and let your hands speak their own language, it will automatically support your words and your audience will be more interested in your message. You increase your power.

Eye contact

an important part of the body language is eye contact. If we can’t get eye contact with other people, we suspect it is because they don’t like us or because they are dishonest. When you read this, think about colleagues in your group, is there someone who has more influence or who is more popular than others? Is he or her good at keeping the eye contact?
The connection between eyes and sympathy:
• We are looking more in a person we like.
• We are looking more at others, when we expect a positive result.
• We interpret missing eye contact as expression for anti-sympathy or missing interest.

the connection between eyes and status:
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We are looking more at the most important persons
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The most important persons are looking more at others, when they are speaking.
• Different cultures have different rules for eyes and status.