In the workplace, body language is a very important aspect of communication that is combined with verbal language. Some common analysis scenarios are job interviews or group meetings. For this reason, we will see in this post about non-verbal communication postures common in the business environment and how to interpret them correctly.
A first step
There are many «manuals» or «guides» that act as a dictionary to tell us what each gesture or, in our case, each posture, means. However, non-verbal communication is influenced by many variables that make it impossible to establish an exact equivalence between gesture and meaning.
Before analysing non-verbal communication, postures or any other expression of body language, we must always remember that there are variables that can influence them:
- The situationbody language will not be the same for an interviewer who is perceived as threatening as it is for an interviewer who is perceived as friendly.
- Environmental conditionsa person will have different postures if he/she is in a hot environment (e.g. arms and legs outstretched) or if he/she is in a cold environment (arms covering the chest).
- Personal circumstancesFor example, an itchy neck can cause you to scratch your neck without necessarily meaning that you are nervous, as they say.
- ProximityThe posture will also vary if a person is a metre away from the speaker (relaxed posture) or a few centimetres away from the speaker (backward posture).
Therefore, the aspects of non-verbal communication mentioned below can be influenced by these variables. It is the responsibility of the individual to take them into account when analysing the non-verbal communication of his or her interlocutor.
Non-verbal communication: standing postures
Now that we have established the basics that any body analysis should take into account, let's look at some aspects of body analysis. standing position.
There are two body systems that we must assess when analysing the standing posture of another person: they are called axial and satellite.
- The axial system is composed of the pectoral area, the feet and the head:
- The pectoral area is the one that tends to indicate the most where a person's attention is directed. If it is directed towards you, they are usually giving you their full attention.
- The feet also indicate your interlocutor's interest. If they are facing the door, it is likely that they want to leave and that your conversation is not to their liking (or that they may be in a hurry).
- The orientation of the head can also indicate how much attention your interlocutor is giving you, although to a lesser extent than the previous two elements. However, it is the most reliable element when it comes to analysing the active listening.
- The satellite system is formed by the arms. Remember that, in non-verbal communication and posture, there are no strict rules. If a person is standing with their arms crossed, they are not necessarily protecting themselves, as is often said. Perhaps they are simply more comfortable in that posture.
Non-verbal communication: sitting postures
In the business environment it is very common to hold conversations in a chair. Here are some of the things to consider when it comes to the most common sitting postures:
- Look at the shoulders Are they relaxed or tense? This can give you indications about their emotional state.
- Do the legs are they crossed or spread apart? Generally, those who spread their legs wide apart are comfortable and safe.
- In the case of crossed legs, If a person is usually comfortable with their legs crossed and at some point they do not have them crossed, it may be a sign that they are nervous.
In short: there is no exact guide on how to interpret non-verbal communication and postures, but there are tips that we can take into account when establishing a first analysis. After that first analysis, we must check that what we believe is really true. This is the only way to be 100% convinced that we have correctly interpreted our interlocutor's posture.
