SUBTEXTthe weight on both feet leaning forward and with head held forward
Leaning away from a situation signals disinterest, noninvolvement
distaste.
As with the subtexts for liking and disliking, the subtext for
paying attention depends on posture. The degree to which you
face the person you are talking to indicates the amount of attention
you are paying to that person. Face someone squarely with your
upper body, increase eye contact, and lean toward that person
and the subtext is "I am paying attention to you."
Stand with the body turned away and only occasionally turn
your head to face the other, and the message is "I am paying
only a minimal amount of attention." Turn away altogether and
you terminate the conversation. There is an insulting subtext in
this posture if it is done while the other person is talking.
If more than two people, standing or sitting one on either side,
are talking to you, it's difficult to pay attention to both. This
dilemma is usually solved by turning one part of the body to one
person and the rest to the other. You might incline your head to
the one on the right while the rest of your body faces left. From
time to time, alternate positions. The subtext is obviously "I am
interested in what both of you are saying."
Then status comes into play. The higher the status of the person
you are talking to, the more inclined you are to face him or her.
While the face-to-face confrontation sends a subtext of attention,
it is also a necessary posture for dominance. Facing that person,
standing and moving toward him or her, combined with an aggres-
sive stare, sends a clear subtext of dominance.
An executive can assume a loose and relaxed position during
discussions, but when a forceful statement is needed, a shift to
an aggressive posture emphasizes the statement.