Body language is not only powerful, it's usually reliable, too. Body language isn't completely reliable if the person expressing it knows how to manipulate it well. Consider the poker player who has perfected their body language to the point that the other players don't see their "tells." Body language comes through most of the time whether you intend to reveal it or not. However, you need to be careful when assessing someone else's body language. What means one thing to one person might mean something entirely different to someone else. Body Language Examples The following body language examples are common. It's usually easy to discern their meaning once you've learned them. 1. Arms Crossed Across The Chest Sitting or standing with your arms crossed across your chest is nearly always seen as defensive body language. When you do it, you're closed off and disengaged. You may appear angry or stubborn. If you see someone holding this positi...
Why Can't I Be Assertive? You may be surprised to learn that a person's assertiveness is rooted in several concrete, biological factors. The first of these is the stress response. You've probably heard that our bodies are wired to present a "fight or flight" response during stressful situations. This evolutionary adaptation urges you to ignore or attack threats rather than to deal with them in a calm, relaxed manner. Interestingly, since they show an inability to face a threat directly, both extreme aggressiveness and complete avoidance show a lack of assertiveness. This "fight or flight" response is considerably stronger in some people than in others. Belief systems and social roles also considerably impact a person's willingness to stand up for themselves. Here are some common beliefs that hold many people back from embracing their full potential: It's mean/cruel/inappropriate to criticize someone else No one will want to spend time wit...