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THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS 'BODY LANGUAGE'. Why The Idea it Exists Obstructs Effective Communication!
There are many suggestions in books and videos that ‘body language’ exists, but in many ways it is a ‘fantasy idea’ that means we think we know what other people are thinking and feeling - and so we don’t have to take the risk of asking them! Unfortunately it is usually used to ‘confirm’ our negative beliefs about people and this makes sense when you recognise that when we think we are ‘reading body language’ we are really just projecting our assumptions and biases and stories on to others.
The famous ‘Mehrabian Myth’ is an example of where the belief in the idea of body language has trampled over the real point of Mehrabian’s research and his results to come to the false representation of his findings to say that ‘Communication is 7% the words, 38% tone of voice and 55% facial expression’. This is completely wrong as a representation of his findings but such is the belief in the idea of body language the myth has gained traction.
In the following link after 23 minutes through the recording, is an interview with Professor Mehrabian himself who talks about how his research is commonly misquoted and his thoughts about that. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b00lyvz9
Alan Sharland has been a Mediator and Conflict Coach for over 25 years working in a wide range of dispute situations including neighbour disputes, workplace disputes, complaints (NHS, Special Educational Needs, University Student), group disputes and others. He was Director of a community mediation service in West London for 11 years and now runs CAOS Conflict Management. https://www.caos-conflict-management.co.uk
Connect with Alan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alansharland
Check out and like the Communication and Conflict Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/communicationandconflict/
Visit the Communication and Conflict website: https://www.communicationandconflict.com
Subscribe to the CAOS podcast on Anchor at: https://anchor.fm/caotica
or on iTunes at: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/caos/id1492578653
BOOKS
How to Resolve Bullying in the Workplace: Stepping Out of the Circle of Blame to Create an Effective Outcome for All https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Resolve-Bullying-Workplace-Effective/dp/1511941316
A Guide To Effective Communication for Conflict Resolution - How Mindful Communication Supports Growth Through Conflict. Purchase the book at this link on amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1790335221
CREDITS Outro Music: All Colours Pt 6 by Bob Holroyd, from album Hollowman: https://music.apple.com/us/album/hollowman/677559200
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By Alan SharlandThere are many suggestions in books and videos that ‘body language’ exists, but in many ways it is a ‘fantasy idea’ that means we think we know what other people are thinking and feeling - and so we don’t have to take the risk of asking them! Unfortunately it is usually used to ‘confirm’ our negative beliefs about people and this makes sense when you recognise that when we think we are ‘reading body language’ we are really just projecting our assumptions and biases and stories on to others.
The famous ‘Mehrabian Myth’ is an example of where the belief in the idea of body language has trampled over the real point of Mehrabian’s research and his results to come to the false representation of his findings to say that ‘Communication is 7% the words, 38% tone of voice and 55% facial expression’. This is completely wrong as a representation of his findings but such is the belief in the idea of body language the myth has gained traction.
In the following link after 23 minutes through the recording, is an interview with Professor Mehrabian himself who talks about how his research is commonly misquoted and his thoughts about that. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b00lyvz9
Alan Sharland has been a Mediator and Conflict Coach for over 25 years working in a wide range of dispute situations including neighbour disputes, workplace disputes, complaints (NHS, Special Educational Needs, University Student), group disputes and others. He was Director of a community mediation service in West London for 11 years and now runs CAOS Conflict Management. https://www.caos-conflict-management.co.uk
Connect with Alan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alansharland
Check out and like the Communication and Conflict Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/communicationandconflict/
Visit the Communication and Conflict website: https://www.communicationandconflict.com
Subscribe to the CAOS podcast on Anchor at: https://anchor.fm/caotica
or on iTunes at: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/caos/id1492578653
BOOKS
How to Resolve Bullying in the Workplace: Stepping Out of the Circle of Blame to Create an Effective Outcome for All https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Resolve-Bullying-Workplace-Effective/dp/1511941316
A Guide To Effective Communication for Conflict Resolution - How Mindful Communication Supports Growth Through Conflict. Purchase the book at this link on amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1790335221
CREDITS Outro Music: All Colours Pt 6 by Bob Holroyd, from album Hollowman: https://music.apple.com/us/album/hollowman/677559200