Body Language Magic
Introduction 4
Chapter 1: Reading the Signs 6
Chapter 2: Mirroring 21
Chapter 3: Body Language in Negotiations 25
Chapter 4: Body Language in Selling 28
Chapter 5: Body Language in Job Interviews 34
Chapter 6: Body Language in Meetings 40
Chapter 7: Body Language in Flirting 42
Conclusion 49
Introduction
Have you heard of the word Body English? I remembered one basketball
game when the sportscaster said, "Air Jordan used a little Body English to coax
that ball into the hoop, as he released the free throw." He meant that the player
moved his hips sideways, as if using mind control, so that the ball will go through
the basket.
Body English is just one of the myriad of examples of body language that
we do and apply to our lives every now and then, consciously or unconsciously.
What is Body Language?
Body language is the unspoken or non-verbal mode of communication that
we do in every single aspect of our interaction with another person. It is like a
mirror that tells us what the other person thinks and feels in response to our
words or actions. Body language involves gestures, mannerisms, and other
bodily signs.
Would you believe that in real life situations, 60% to 80% of the messages
that we convey to other people are transmitted through body language and the
actual verbal communication accounts for only 7% to 10%?
Our ability to use body language in a positive way and to read other
people's minds through their body language separates the men from the boys (or
women from girls), and can be a powerful tool to our overall personality
development. Imagine creating a great impression for work, business, and love
by being knowledgeable in this not-so-common yet powerful field of study. It is
the unspoken tool to a successful life.
So read on and find out how you can read and utilize body language - the
most used yet most misunderstood secret language in the world.
Chapter 1
Reading the Signs
We use body language everyday in our lives to get our message across,
to achieve positive feedback in our lives, and to get whatever we want. We use
this language all the time, but we may not be aware of it. Moreover, this language
doesn't only involve the mouth but the whole body as well.
Could you even imagine the awesome power of applying it? With it, you'll
be able to interpret other people's inner emotions even if they're not directly
expressing it. You'll also be able to modify your behavior to fit the situation. You'll
get them to like and trust you. What words cannot do, body language can.
In this chapter, we shall explore the various body gestures or movements
conveyed by people in different scenarios. Let's begin.
Suggesting Interest
It is important to know if people are interested in what you are saying;
otherwise, you are just wasting your time.
Just imagine you are a chemistry teacher. You have always been
interested in chemistry, so you assume that your students feel the same way as
you do. But are they really interested? Are your teaching methods good enough
to arouse their interest? Unless you can recognize the different body signals your
students are conveying, you would never know how they are adapting to the
subject matter. And unless you find out if staring continuously at you without
blinking the eyes is a sign of interest or an indication of being in dreamland, you
simply could not take the necessary steps to adjust to their learning needs.
Here are some of the movements exhibited by people who are interested
in what you are saying:
• They maintain eye contact more than 60% of the time. The more wideopened
the eyes are, the more interested the person is. In fact, a
person maintains eye contact more when listening than when talking.
• Their heads are inclined forward.
• They are nodding their heads. Such action means that they're agreeing
with you. That means they're attentive and listening.
• Their feet are pointing towards you.
• They smile frequently. But take note, not all smiles convey the same
feeling. An oblong smile is not genuine. It is used to show courtesy, but
not necessarily happiness or friendliness. The lips are withheld
completely back from the upper and lower teeth, forming the oblong
shape. This is usually the smile that many people exhibit when they
feign to enjoy a lame joke.
Indications That They're More Open to Agree with You
When you were a young child, have you ever tried to decode what your
parents' facial expressions mean when you ask them to buy you a new toy or to