The Definitive Book of Body Language

The Definitive Book of Body Language

compassion and, from time to time, that you agree with his

thoughts or actions.

Leaving aside interview and questioning techniques for

these illustrations, consider the following points: (1) The

counselling session will be in your office; (2) The subordinate

will be seated on a chair with fixed legs and no arms, one

that causes him to use body gestures and postures that

will give you an understanding of his attitudes; and (3)

You'll be sitting on a swivel chair that has arms, letting you

eliminate some of your own gestures and allowing you to move

around.

There are three main angle positions you can use. As with

the standing triangular position, sitting at 45 degrees gives an

informal, relaxed attitude to the meeting and is a good

opening position for a counselling session.

Opening a session using a 45 degree angle

keeps things relaxed

You can show non-verbal agreement with the subordinate
from this position by mirroring his movements and gestures.
As in the open standing position, their bodies point to a third
point to form a triangle, which can show agreement.
By turning your chair to point your body directly at
someone you non-verbally tell them that you want direct
answers to your direct questions.