Thu, November 19, 2009 - 10:06:50

Let Your Feet do the Talking

Sure, we’ve all heard of palm readers who claim they can learn everything about you just by examining the lines and crevices on your hands, but in reality could learning how to read feet actually give you a leg-up on the competition?  That’s what author Carol Kinsey Gorman, Ph.D. claims in her eye-opening book The Nonverbal Advantage:  Secrets and Science of Body Language at Work.  While many of us assume that facial expressions and hand gestures expose people’s true emotions, Gorman says they’re only telling part of the story.  And if you want to know what’s really going on, you have to look down.

It might seem like a trivial detail, but Dr. Gorman explains that while many people, such as skilled actors, politicians, and leaders have learned to alter their facial expressions and upper body posturing to match their verbal message, the feet are usually ignored and can be a dead giveaway of a deception.  And you don’t have to be a CEO or Commander-in-Chief to learn how to read others cues and clues.  All it takes is a little observation.

For example, if you are on a first date and everything seems to be going well, look away from their enthusiastic smile and animated hands and discreetly check out how he or she is sitting.  As Gorman writes, if the legs are crossed with toes pointing toward you, you’re off to a good start, but if the toes are pointing away, don’t expect a call any time soon.

If you’re feeling a little skeptical about foot-reading, we don’t blame you, but consider the science behind Gorman’s reasoning: “Our feet and legs are not only our primary means of locomotion, they are in the forefront of reactions to “fight, flight, or freeze” survival strategies,” she writes.  “The limbic brain is at the center of our emotional response system. Its major function is to react instantaneously to incoming information from the environment. Emotional reactions, as we know, occur prior to thought. Before we’ve had time to develop any conscious plan, our limbic brain has already made sure that our feet and legs – depending on the situation – are geared to freeze in place, run away, or kick out in defense.”

In addition to watching the subtle hints given by other people’s foot gestures, paying attention to your own can help you create a more positive impression.  For example, Marc Chernoff of Marc and Angel Hack Life writes that constantly shifting from foot to foot creates an air of nervousness or anxiety, so to appear calm in a high-stress situation you should keep your feet planted firmly on the ground.  And while you’re at it, make sure to keep your stance wide, as it portrays confidence, while Dr. Gorman states that a narrow stance appears insecure.

As we say in THE POWER OF SMALL, paying attention to the subtle signals you give and receive through body language can help you throughout your life, from making a deal to making a friend.  So, open your eyes to the little clues that are all around you before they trip you up.

Posted by Linda and Robin