SUBTEXTSitting back and listening to someone while you steeple your
fingers sends out a subtext of confidence. Steepling is holding
the hands together at chest height with the fingers touching and
pointing upward. The higher the hands are held, the stronger
the subtext of confidence, but they should not go above the level
of the chin.
Wagging a forefinger back and forth is a classic negative sign
and sends a subtext of "You are wrong."
Pointing sends an aggressive subtext, and using an object to
point with, a pen or a cigar, extends the threatening finger and
makes the subtext more intrusive, more aggressive.
Another aggressive subtext is sent when you stand with your
hands on your hips, your thumbs back. Here the subtext is confi-
dence and toughness. In speech making, a subtext of confidence
and logic is sent by counting things off on your fingers. It can
make a presentation more forceful.
Rubbing the hands briefly (not wringing them) suggests confi-
dence in what you are saying. Hands clasped behind the back
send a subtext of "I am in charge here."
You can send a subtext of confidence and pleasure in someone
else's presentation by leaning back in a chair with your fingers
laced behind your head.THE NEGATIVE SIDE
These are positive signals you can learn to help yourself or to
interpret the subtexts of others. However, you should also under-
stand the negative signals that send out a loser subtext. It is
important to avoid them yourself and understand them in others.