Body language

STATUS RAISERS

Certain objects strategically placed around the office can be subtly used non-verbally to increase the status and power of the occupant. Some examples include:

1. 
   Low sofas for visitors to sit on.
   

2. 
   A telephone with a lock on it.
   

3. 
   An expensive ashtray placed out of the reach of the visitor, causing him inconvenience when ashing his cigarette.
   

4. 
   A cigarette container from overseas.
   

5. 
   Some red folders left on the desk marked ‘Strictly Confidential’.
   

6. 
   A wall covered with photos, awards or qualifications that the occupant has received.
   

7. 
   A slim briefcase with a combination lock. Large, bulky briefcases are carried by those who do all the work.
   

All that is needed to raise your status, increase your power and effectiveness with others is a little thought given to non-verbal gymnastics in your office or home. Un-fortunately, most executive offices are arranged like the one in Figure 163; rarely is consideration given to the negative non-verbal signals that are unwittingly communicated to others.

We suggest that you study your own office layout and use the preceding information to make the positive changes needed.

Eighteen


Putting It All Together

Communication through body language has been going on for over a million years but has only been scientifically studied to any extent in the last twenty years or so; it became popular during the 1970s. By the end of this century it will have been ‘discovered’ by people throughout the world and I predict that its impact and meaning in human communication will be part of formal education. This book has served as an introduction to body language and I encourage you to seek further knowledge through your own research and experience and through the examples given.

Ultimately, society will be your best research and testing ground. Conscious observation of your own actions and those of others is the best way for each person to gain a better understanding of the communication methods of the earth’s most complex and interesting beast - man himself.

The remainder of this book is devoted to social and business situations and shows how gestures and body signals occur in clusters and the circumstances that may affect your interpretation. However, before you read the notes, study each picture sequence and see how many you can interpret through what you have read in this book. You will be amazed to find how much your perceptiveness has improved.