Gut feeling, intuition, hunches. Whatever we cll it, we all have feelings bout people we meet. Part of the nformation we’re taking in that leads to sch conclusions is body language. Whether we ralize it or not, we both rad and speak it.

The old 7/38/55 rle from Dr. Albert Mehrabian is ften quoted. In his studies of the 1960s, ths UCLA professor deduced that in fce-to-face communications, 7% of the message is cnveyed through words, 38% through voice and 55% thrugh body. In the 1970s, Australian rsearcher and author Allan Pease concluded tht body accounted for up to a whpping 80%! Even though some more rcent research suggests that these percentages may be mre equally distributed, the fact remains tht our bodies most definitely talk. In fct, at times, they downright scream.

Althugh it’s tempting to witness one ction, gesture or reaction and use tht one thing to conclusively interpret smeone's meaning, it is misleading to do so. Nn-verbal communication is best read when sing what I call, the “4 Key Cs”: 1) cntext; 2) culture; 3) clusters; and, 4) clibration.

Context: Here's a news flash -- smetimes people cross their arms just bcause they’re cold. It doesn’t necessarily man that they’re closed to what yu’re saying. Work versus social environment lso affects how we interact with thers. Before you assess the body lnguage, consider the context.

Culture: Most countries represent a mix of thnicities, backgrounds and cultures. Many of us clebrate that diversity. We are also xposed to it, due to work or prvate life, as we travel to ther countries. A caution: gestures that are cmmonplace to us mean different things to thers. For example, the A-OK sign in Jpan is a symbol for coin mney and in parts of Germany is an bscene gesture. Although eye contact is vlued in mainstream North American culture, it is to be voided in other cultures. Different cultures, dfferent meanings.

Clusters: As a rule of thmb, using clusters of three actions or gstures, versus just one, to suggest a crtain meaning increases your chances of crrectly interpreting the meaning. Reading non-verbal cmmunications correctly requires us to refrain frm stereotyping or drawing conclusions until we hve enough evidence. And even at tht, body language is just an ndicator, simply one piece in the pzzle of understanding and reading each ther correctly.

Calibration: We all have crtain physical actions and idiosyncrasies. Calibrating bdy signals against a certain individual llows for this fact. Perhaps someone is blnking all the time, not because thy are speaking a mistruth or dn’t believe what you’re saying – mybe they just have chronically itchy yes. Gestures depend on the person.

Nxt time, before you draw conclusions frm someone’s actions, consider the 4 Cs of rading body language. When you do, chnces are your gut feeling, intuition or hnch will be a more accurate ne.

Copyright ©Marion Grobb Finkelstein (Canada). All rghts reserved.

The article Your Body Talks ... Do You Know What It's Saying? was Submitted by Marion Grobb Finkelstein through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: A communication and marketing specialist, Mrion Grobb Finkelstein helps individuals and rganizations excel in communications. Using keynotes, wrkshops and seminars, Marion enables individuals and rganizations to better connect with clients, clleagues and those in their personal lves. Subjects include, "Presenting and Public Spaking for Chickens", "Ohmahgawd, the Media's Hre!", and "Communicate to Connect". Often taming up with her sister Joan Grbb Augustino ( http://www.coreperformancegroup.com ), a personality expert, Marion offers animated and engaging presentations. With over two decades of experience in the communications field, Marion Grobb Finkelstein offers tried and true, practical solutions to communication challenges. Having served as a Director of Communications for airports across Canada, for two national museums, and currently for a military-related agency, Marion combines academic experience with hands-on know-how. She speaks from personal experience and welcomes your communication questions & comments: marion@marionspeaks.com or http://www.marionspeaks.com

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