We all read other people's body language--some just do it better than others. In fact, women are better decoders of body language but research by Burgoon and others has shown that they don't tend to act on their perceptions.
It's interesting how nonverbal communication plays out in our thoughts and actions. I received a Christmas card from Dave Bamberg, the Talleytoon cartoon creator (http://www.lindatalley.com/talley-toons/) and it was one of his Christmas cartoons. It was interesting to see how he had put Santa in a confrontational and authority position in the cartoon. I wonder if he thought about this as he was drawing the cartoon.
Santa is sitting directly across the table from 2 of his reindeer which is a confrontational position. Someone is going to win and someone is going to lose. Can you guess who?
Santa is sitting in a high back chair, a status and power symbol. The chair has rollers on it--another high status and power symbol.
Santa is leaning forward and the admonished reindeer are leaning back.
It doesn't take much to read the nonverbal communication of this comical portrayal of the Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer song.
Would Santa want to be seen in this position? Is Santa confrontational? Or is Santa simply using his nonverbal communication and power/status symbols to lead his team so they will lead his sleigh on Christmas Eve?
Dave takes the song to a new level by integrating every day business communication tactics with Christmas fantasy to come up with something that happens every day in business. People with power and people with little power will always be at odds. Thanks Dave for reminding us in a good natured way by using subtle body language in a Christmas card.
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