QUESTION

Conducting One’s self in Professional and Ordinary Interaction

Professional and public interaction often require some level of etiquette of body language and verbal language. Both body language and verbal languages are acceptable ways of communication. Consequently, the level of communication defines the type of language to be used, whether body language or verbal language. In either cases, there is always the formal, professional, friendly, casual and ordinary language depending on setting, relationship, time, and the prevailing atmosphere. This assignment analyses a body language Ted talk video on YouTube and presentation on professional behavior.

From the PowerPoint and the video, three things stand out namely, effect of personal behavior and personality and the power of body language on first impression, building confidence and winning attention. The presentation specifically focuses on some of the common behavior expected at professional interaction level. It particularly dwells on public place etiquette and most specifically etiquettes of public lifts and formal meetings. Theses etiquettes are some of the body languages which speak volumes on manners, responsibility, fairness, patience, orderliness, respect and gentleness. Being patient with other people in the lift, respects people’s personal space, managing the button when nearest to it, letting ladies to go first, not blocking the entry/exit, using the stair where applicable, being in time for meetings, excusing one’s self, and proper management of phone calls and using the staircase where applicable are demonstration of these etiquette (Booher 83). They not only demonstrate responsibility, but respect for the people around and people one is interacting with.

Another very important aspects of creating impression, confidence and wining of attention is one how one uses body language and most specifically the palm. The palm of one hand is a powerful tool for expression of emotion, authority, confidence, and stamina. The palm is the used for handshake. The hand shake is communicative of several things including attitude of the person whose hand is being shaken, authority of the people involved and the relationship. Depending on how it is done, palm up of down, up-down shaking or back-forward shaking (Lewis 241). During a hand shake, the party whose pal is up always attracts the first authority and confidence. When both the palms of the parties remain vertical, then both of the parties command same authority and confidence in the handshake. Otherwise the person whose palm is down generally accepts the confidence and authority or rather power of the one whose palm is up (Allan n.p.).

Besides the handshake, the posture, gesture and movement of the palm while addressing an audience also matters. The making of a palm up gesture is not the same as the gesture of the palm facing down. Generally, when the palm is facing up, audience consider it as appealing to the ancient brains of the audience. Alternative when the palm id facing down, the audience feel ordered to responds to a speaker. Worse is when the speaker instead uses pointing fingers, he/she is interpreted as giving directive (Allan 267).

In conclusion, one can manipulate his or her audience by the way of behaviors and communication. A gestured communication using the palm can be interpreted in different ways depending on the gestures, the posture and the movement of the palm.

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