Body Language

Revealing personality and character ...............................................

Are you King of the Jungle or Misty Milk Maid? Do you see yourself as a

winner or a loser? How you hold your body, whether it’s upright and crisp or

down trodden and limp, shows the world who you think you are.

Think of yourself as an iceberg like the one in Figure 7-4. Below the water line

is what makes you tick. This inner core contains your sense of self and is the

base from which your actions arise. Here you find your values and beliefs,

your drivers and motivators, and your strengths and unique selling points

(USPs). Above the water line is your outer self, what other people see. The

way you gesture, the way you carry yourself, your manners and mannerisms,

plus how you choose to dress, reflect how you feel about yourself and all

that’s going on below the waterline.

If your self-perception is that of a strong, forceful, and dynamic Master of

Mayfair your body is upright, your stride purposeful, and your gestures

focused and contained. If you see yourself more as a simple, quiet, country

lawyer your body may be more relaxed, your way of moving a bit easier, and

your gestures more fluid. Whereas if you’re Jack the Lad from southeast

London, your body may strut and swagger, and your head movements appear

quick and sharp.

Dress and appearance

Voice

Body language

Behaviour

Etiquette

Values
Beliefs
Unique selling points (USPs)
Motivators and drivers
Standards
Strengths
Figure 7-4:
The iceberg
reveals the
whole you.

Chapter 7: Take It From the Torso 113