GETTING A LEG UP ON BODY LANGUAGE 59they represent a true tell or just excess nervous behavior. For example,
if a person has naturally jittery legs (a kind of restless-leg syndrome),
then it might be hard to distinguish happy feet from an individual’s
normal nervous energy. If the rate or intensity of jiggling increases,
however, particularly right after a person hears or witnesses some-
thing of significance, I might view that as a potential signal that he or
she now feels more confident and satisfied with the current state of
affairs.
Second, moving feet and legs may simply signify impatience. Our feet
often jiggle or bounce when we grow impatient or feel the need to move
things along. Watch a class full of students and notice how often their
legs and feet will twitch, jiggle, move, and kick throughout the class.
This activity usually increases as the class draws to a close. More often
BOX 14: A SIGN OF THE FEETJulie, a human resource executive for a major corporation, told me she
began noticing foot behaviors after attending one of my seminars for bank
executives. She put her new knowledge to good use just a few days after
returning to her job. “I was responsible for selecting company employees
for overseas assignments,” she explained. “When I asked one potential
candidate if she wanted to work abroad, she responded with bouncing,
happy feet and an affirmative, ‘Yes!’ However, when I next mentioned that
the destination was Mumbai, India, her feet stopped moving altogether.
Noting the change in her nonverbal behavior, I asked why she didn’t want
to go there. The candidate was astounded. ‘Is it that noticeable? I didn’t
say anything. Did someone else say something to you?’ she asked in a
startled voice. I told the woman I could ‘sense’ she wasn’t pleased with
the intended work location. ‘You’re right,’ she admitted, ‘I thought I was
being considered for Hong Kong, where I have a few friends.’ It was obvi-
ous she did not want to go to India, and her feet left no doubt about her
feelings on the matter.”