Interviews, Power Plays and Office PoliticsProfessor Frank Bernieri of the University of Toledo analysed
the performances of job applicants of various ages and back-
grounds during 20-minute interviews in which the interviewers
were asked to rate each candidate on attributes such as ambi-
tion, intelligence and competence. Then a group of observers
was asked to watch video footage of just the first 15 seconds of
each interview. The results showed that the observers' first
impressions in 15 seconds almost paralleled the impressions of
the interviewers. This study gives us further convincing evi-
dence that you definitely don't get a second chance to make a
first impression and that your approach, handshake and overall
body language are the key factors in deciding the outcome.Why James Bond Looked Cool, Calm
and Collected
Research in the field of linguistics has shown a direct relation-
ship between the amount of status, power or prestige a person
commands, and their vocabulary range. The higher up the
social or management ladder a person is, the better he is likely
to be able to communicate in words and phrases. Body lan-
guage research has revealed a correlation between a person's
command of the spoken word and the number of gestures they
use to communicate their message. The person at the top end
of the status scale can use his range of vocabulary to commu-
nicate his meaning, whereas the less educated, less skilled
lower-status person will rely more on gestures than words to
communicate his message. He doesn't have the words so he
substitutes gestures for words. As a general rule, the higher up
the person is on the socio-economic scale, the less gesticula-
tion and body movement they are likely to use.
Special Agent James Bond used these principles to great
effect by having minimal body gestures, especially when he
was under pressure. When he was being intimidated by the
baddies, being insulted or shot at, he remained relatively
motionless and spoke in short, monotone sentences.