You’ve completed your presentation before your client’s group and you’re taking questions. You notice the marketing director’s chin rests upon her thumb, her index finger points upwards, and she has a slight smile.
- Is she having positive or negative thoughts?
- What does her posture say?
- What should you do?
Answers
- Most people think this is a signal of interest. It’s not. She’s having negative or critical thoughts about you or your presentation. Even though she has a smile, the negative gestures outweigh the positives.
- Leaning away from you with her arm in front of her torso completes the cluster of negative signals that should warn you to do something.
- Get her involved immediately. Simply stating, “You seem to have some concerns. Would you mind telling me what you think?” will get her to change her body language and attitude.
