Жести й міміка у спілкуванні. Жести доречні та недоречні #9

Key wellness / self-care / productivity takeaways (nonverbal communication)

• Use body language deliberately to reduce misunderstandings

  • Nonverbal cues (facial expressions, posture, gestures) shape others’ impressions before you speak.
  • Make your words, facial expression, and movements match—otherwise people may distrust you.

• Know the “signal split” between words vs. nonverbal

  • Researcher Alan Pease is cited: ~7% through words, ~38% through sound (intonation/timbre), ~55% through nonverbal communication.

• Adopt effective posture for openness and professionalism

  • Open posture: face the other person, arms slightly open to the sides, head tilted toward the interlocutor.
  • Closed posture to avoid in interviews: crossed arms, arms held defensively, head lowered/turned away.
  • For online/distance contexts: remember correct posture and a comfortable viewing distance from the screen.

• Choose appropriate gestures for the situation

  • Mechanical/automatic gestures to watch out for (e.g., adjusting hair, rubbing nose, pointing).
  • Descriptive gestures (useful when words are insufficient).
  • Emotional gestures (e.g., joy, applause) used naturally.
  • Symbolic gestures (bowing, gratitude gestures, greeting).
  • Avoid overly intense/anxious movement
    • Frequent position changes can signal nervousness.
    • Excessively active gestures can create negative emotions.

• Interview/public speech “do’s and don’ts”

  • Do
    • Sit with a straight posture.
    • Keep hands visible (e.g., on knees or on the table) to show readiness.
    • Maintain eye contact.
    • Control tone and facial expressions so they align with what you say.
  • Don’t
    • Don’t cross arms (signals protection, not dialogue).
    • Don’t show anxiety (avoid fidgeting).
    • Don’t cover your mouth while answering (interpreted as insincerity/distrust).
    • Avoid “avoidance” cues in public speaking (example given: hands clasped behind the back; crossed legs used as a defensive signal).

• Read others’ nonverbal signals (to improve communication)

  • Signs of boredom/disinterest
    • Looking at the ceiling, at the watch/phone.
  • Aggression
    • Clenched fists + frowned eyebrows.
  • Doubt
    • Rubbing temples.
  • Distrust/withholding
    • Mouth covering gesture (in the example: journalist/candidate context).
  • Trust-building
    • Mirroring the interlocutor’s posture (used as rapport-building).

• Use nonverbal “phrases”/idioms intentionally

  • The video mentions gesture-idioms related to meanings like:
    • deliberately not paying attention,
    • assurances/convincing,
    • despair, worrying,
    • indifference,
    • reconciliation,
    • sincere waving and hand-on-heart sincerity.

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Presenters / sources mentioned

• Alan Pease (writer/researcher of body language)