Alex is a solicitor at a top law firm. He was recently put up for partnership,
but was unsuccessful. The partners told him that he came across as arrogant
and aggressive. Although I thought these were natural traits of a lawyer the
partners felt that his body language put people off. On first glance, Alex’s
behaviour can be perceived as arrogant. He often lifts his head, juts out his
chin, slightly turns away from you when he speaks, frequently crosses his
arms over his chest, and when challenged adds what sounds like a sarcastic
laugh to the ends of his sentences. These behaviours create an impression of
arrogance and aggressive superiority that make others feel uncomfortable
and threatened. What those of us who know him well recognise is that these
actions are covering up a lot of insecurity. His lack of body awareness com-
bined with his self-doubt is sending out negative messages.Displaying aggression ..........................................................................
If someone approaches you in an aggressive state you may notice, if you have
the time and the courage, that the head is thrust forward from the shoulders
as if it were a weapon. In extreme cases, someone who’s really angry may use
the head as a missile, projecting it forward in a head butt to hit the other
person – a not uncommon behaviour among professional soccer players.Figure 3-1:
Arrogance
can be
conveyed
by the head
tilt and jaw
thrust.
Chapter 3: Heading to the Heart of the Matter 47