He observed the body language of the opposite member and noticed an increase in his opposition. He thought: this intervention is not going well. I will show stronger determination through my body language when I speak. And that will enhance my words.
Even those who aren’t astute at reading body language get carried away by their gestures. Some see them and others miss them; your subconscious can capture the latter. That can lead someone to think, ‘I had a hunch or a feeling about it. But I didn’t know what it meant. Actually, that was his intuition summoning his conscience. When one notices the slightest gesture of someone biting their lips, hands on hips, or an intense gaze, those gestures convey a message.
You can use the following information about reading body language to resolve opposition to your position.
Identify alliances:
Always know who is aligned with whom before attempting an intervention. Without that perception, you don’t know who your true friend or enemy might be. That is important because, without that knowledge, you cannot confront the real force that opposes you. Therefore, there may be a stronger force with higher powers that are not addressed. And that could leave you wandering around wondering why you’re not moving forward.
To identify potential factions aligned against you, consider planting misinformation about one group into the other. And be aware of what that information does within those units. In particular, look at what the information does for new alliances being formed by the opposition. You can gain additional information by visually inspecting the coalitions when you are in the same environment. Do this by observing who congregates with whom and any other non-verbal exchanges that occur. You are looking for the slightest of changes to increase your advantage. If the forces are still engaged with each other as before, that could indicate that the information was insufficient for its purpose. It could also imply that there is a stronger alliance than you imagined. And FYI, this tactic works best if you have a confidant among your targets in the midst of information.
While this maneuver may be considered covert by some, depending on the threat you face, it can be well justified, even if some insult you. Just keep in mind that those who have the most to lose will be the ones who will fight you the most. Once discovered, they will be the real opponents that will challenge your position.
Understanding an important tail of body language:
To identify alliances through body language, look at the gestures that members of the opposition exchange. Gestures such as one member placing a hand on another’s shoulder while she is speaking can silently indicate that she is seeking support from that person. Someone can also be seen looking for help when a person speaks, and someone in their group puts a hand on their shoulder. Since the prior gesture can also be a form of control (ie let’s not go that far), take note of when it occurs and who initiates the action. If it’s a “let’s not go that far” intent, the person showing the gesture may be a leader behind the scenes or someone you can use later to control the person speaking. Using a veiled leader in that capacity would allow him to use the hidden powers of an influence.
climbing signs:
Some body language gestures are like canaries in a coal mine: they herald imminent danger.
- face to face
You may feel some body language gestures before the screen alters. Thus, these screens reflect the emotional state of that individual at that moment. Those signals are called microexpressions.
There are other signs to watch for such as flexing of the hand, hand making a fist, grimacing as he approaches you, and increased rate of speech. Such indicators can be the sign of emotional upheaval, which can lead to hostile escalations.
It is important to notice such signs because they can indicate a change in mental temperature. And that could put you in a worse position, which can make you and them less receptive to logical thinking.
- On the phone
When talking on the phone, pay attention to the deep breaths, the deliberateness of the words, and the rate of speech of the person you’re talking to. As someone’s anger rises, you’ll hear their rise through those non-verbal tails. Note if you are also displaying such gestures. Because regardless of who commits those actions, it’s an opportunity for you to shift the conversation in a direction that suits your purpose.
Reflection:
You can tell the effectiveness of your efforts by the changing positions your opponents adopt. Be aware of the change verbally and physically when you are in person. That will indicate their attempts to search for an opening that they can exploit. Which means they’re on the defensive.
Therefore, when you intervene in situations, depending on the value of the result, do so vigorously, without hesitation. Dithering can waste your time and hinder your position. And that’s something you can’t afford. Use the aforementioned body language signs before, during and after a speech. They’ll put you in a more powerful position… and all will be right with the world.
Remember, you are always negotiating!
Listen to Greg’s podcast did https://anchor.fm/themasternegotiator
After reading this article, what are you thinking? I would like to know. contact me at [email protected]
