Body Language III: Who’s in charge here?
In the third and final episode of this series, we’ll be taking a look at some group dynamics, as it is in group situations that our non-verbal signals give off some of the strongest clues as to our inner thoughts and mental states. When in a group, the way we stand or sit can also ‘communicate’ to others, and can have a powerful subconscious effect on the way we are perceived and dealt with by others. You may well be the brightest accountant in the bank, but if your body language says ‘I’m not really sure’, then your colleagues won’t be either! 
So here we have it: a classic trio of work colleagues. Perhaps one is the manager, and the other two are subordinates. Can you guess who’s who?
Before we give the game away, let’s take a closer look at some of the gestures being used by the three individuals.
On the left, we have a casually dressed male, hands in pockets, legs apart, feet planted firmly on the ground, pelvis thrust forward and upper body leaning back. On closer inspection, his chin is tilted upwards, giving the effect that he is ‘looking down’ at you.
In the centre, we have a smartly dressed male, standing with his feet pointing in a neutral direction in relation to the group, holding his hands in a ‘fig leaf’ position. Taken in conjunction with his uncertain facial expression, what does this say to you?
On the right, we have a female sporting smart-casual wear, rocking on one foot, with the other tucked behind her ankle and her legs twisted round each other. One arm is held across her chest, the other is raised diagonally across the torso to cover her mouth.
All three people are subconsciously using completely different body language to indicate their relative status in the group. With this in mind, can you tell who the boss is?! 
I look forward to hearing from you...
Comments
Hello Sarah, nice to hear from you, and you had come up with an interesting topic on body language. There are different gestures used by the people for the communication depends on the situation they face, however, these gestures might slightly vary on culture and not sure how to cultivate the habit of showing the better gesture that are effective while communicating, at least to the extent of making sure not to be irritable at times. I have quit bad habit of going with arrogant gesture at times, of course, when I get angry while in the discussion. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Moreover, even we know the things that needs to be avoid at some circumstance still we end up with the same gesture which are beyond our control. As learning will be fruitful only when we really practice it and that is even applicable to have effective tacit communication. I have an impression that whoever having the emotional control they should be having better body communication. Overall it’s all about the psychological factor that determines the way we show our gesture during the communication. If we have a face-to-face conversation then it does matter on our body language how we react to the interlocutor, but in case of phone conversation our voice tone plays the major role in our effective communication while I even bad at going with phone conversation. You could please throw some lights on how to have good conversation over phone, I had come across quit useful material here in this site under business English column where they have content specific to this genre. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Even though I had gone through those materials, I could not follow it up and make use of those phrase and it could be because of that I get nervous once get into attending the call. The fear could be that I do not know the person from the other side and make bit anxious if I could go wrong with what I suppose to tell or could it leads to the misunderstanding. Especially, during the teleconference because of my bad listening skills I often interrupt the other person abruptly and that could make others irritable. I am really a bad listener too which I am trying to overcome. Reason for the interference could that I think that either I will forget what I want to say or some urge not to waste the other persons time, or even could be that I understand what the interlocutor communicationg before they finish their talk and to make them to short cut their talk. So I would like to get some suggestions or tips on how to be good listener in your upcoming blogs. Hear from you soon!. Until then tootle-pip
Hi Sarah! I just wondering why you dont't have a conversation with Ilze. She is Your student blogger, and you don't even mention her... I thought that the meaning of this blog is to support the student blogger, correct them, help them. Bye Erika
In my opinion the boss is the male on the left. Are you interested in psychology, Sarah? Bye, Albert
Hi Erika, you're quite correct: the role of the teacher is to support the student blogger. With this in mind, I have commented on her blog, and given her corrections over the last few weeks, but will definitely take up your suggestion and give her more feedback tomorrow. Take care, bye for now.
Hi Sarah! As tomorrow will likely to be your last day as a blogger teacher and sadly I will not be able to post, I say goodbye in advance. It has been fun reading your posts. All the best, Filippo
Hi Sarah, It's very interesting to guess who is the boss. The well dressed man in middle is too humble as he is holding his hands in a fig-leave position. The female on the right is too causal and her standing posture seems to timid & uncertain. My conclusion is the man on the left since he seems to be the most carefree among themselves and as hinted, his chin is tilted upwards, giving the effect that he is looking down on people. He looks confident and open for any discussion. Sarah, I'm very interested in psychology & enjoy this guessing exercise. Cheers!
Dear Sarah I could not follow your body language episodes. Since I was busy with work for the couple of weeks I could not read and make comments on that. I will read leisurely. It is the end of the month. I think we have come to the stage to say good bye. Hope we will meet in this page sooner or later. Thank you for your guidance.
I guess that the boss is the man on the left. He looks more confident than two other people.
Hi Sarah, body language good topic. I suppose that the boss is the guy who stands with his legs open, at the left of the shoot. And I wonder something more. Surely he is a sex bullier because the other two persons are really submited and very timid. Both of them are defending their sexual parts. What do you think? See you, Toni.
Hi Sarah! I found your comments in Ilze's blog (later) just it was strange, that you don't mention her in your blog. Maybe lots of reader didn't saw your comments and thought the same as me. Thank you your answer :D Bye Erika
I think the boss is the man on the left. He feels confortble maong the others and also confident.
Thanks for all your contributions. This blog has now closed and can no longer accept new comments.
