I bet you missed the body language entries. Well, I will try to post more often: there are enough topics to cover, probably as many as small gestures and sudden moves.

We will be talking about a sudden move today, one that betrays feelings such as: impulsive change of disposition, skepticism, disagreement, misunderstanding, tiresomeness, the will do leave, and other inner conflicts. Overall, not a positive attitude: body shift.

Of course, we cannot “read” body language out of a context, so this sudden body movement has its translations derived from a chain of events too.

For example, at the conference table, when the words of one speaker touch a nerve, you will see many non-verbal responses, among which the body shift is probably the most obvious. Other attendants might display a shoulder-shrug, or a lip purse, but the body shifter is clearly the most affected if not the most emotive.

When the body shift occurs, the translations are quite obvious: “are you serious?”, “I totally disagree”, “this makes me feel uncomfortable”, “am I your target now?”, “you lie” and so on. You can add to the list uncertainties, other negative unspoken emotions and a sudden will to leave the room. People do have the tendency to try to escape uncomfortable situations or to avoid conflict (especially when there are no chances that they win).

Body shifting poses are usually easy to spot, but there are some less obvious shifting poses too (picture shows a slight body shift from a woman obviously upset be the man’s words). They all enter the same category. Any sudden shift in posture should worry you, especially when you are the one trying to make the sale.

In business meetings at a high level, avoid such sudden aggressive moves at all costs. Even if you don’t actually see a pair of eyes watching you, your disposition will be noticed.

At a job interview, the human resource manager will most likely unconsciously make you feel uncomfortable. Try not to show your feelings with a sudden body shift. At a subliminal level this will send out the following messages: I am over-sensitive, I cannot control my emotions, I cannot work under pressure, etc. No employer wants something like that.

If you found this entry interesting, you will love The Definitive Book of Body Language.

The complete body language series includes so far:

• Body Language: Body Align
• Body Language: Blushing
• Body Language: Blank Face
• Body Language: Bending Away
• Body Language: Arm-Swing
• Body Language: Arm-Cross
• When Your Words Say Nothing Your Body Tells Me More