What Every BODY Is Saying : An Ex-FBI Agent's Guide to Speed Reading People

TORSO TIPS 91

something distasteful one minute and something favorable the next, our
bodies will reflect this shift in our feelings.
A very powerful way to let others know that you agree with them,
or are consciously contemplating what they are saying, is to lean toward
them or to ventrally front them. This tactic is especially effective when
you are in a meeting and you don’t have the opportunity to speak up.

The Torso Shield

When it is impractical or socially unacceptable to lean away from some-
one or something we dislike, we often subconsciously use our arms
or objects to act as barriers (see figure 32). Clothing or nearby objects

A sudden crossing of the arms during a

conversation could indicate discomfort.

Fig. 32