Very recently Donald Trump, Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer negotiated live in front of media about whether border security demands that a wall be constructed for the US or not. Here are eight body language tips on what to avoid during negotiations in order to communicate more effectively with your counterpart. We have maintained the time of the snapshot in the clip so that you can refer to it if you wish.
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TIP ONE
Most of us who are aware of basic body language would acknowledge that leaning forward shows interest in the topic being discussed. We would recommend limiting just how much forward you lean. Here we can see Trump not only leaning forward but also sitting towards the edge of the chair. It could work against making you look powerful.
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TIP TWO
Can you see the lips of both negotiators moving at once – Trump and Pelosi? Often when we don’t see eye to eye on a topic, and don’t want to be the one to take a step back and appear less dominant, we shift our conversation partner to someone else but the person we really want to negotiate with. Is this helpful? We would want to think not. This is why communication plays a pivotal role in ensuring negotiations remain productive.
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TIP THREE
We see Trump constantly speaking without maintaining eye contact with Pelosi which can happen when two people don’t see the same issue in the same light. Here the context also could be that since these leaders are all seated in front of cameras, they also want to look at the reporters while speaking. But no eye contact with your fellow negotiator is not only disrespectful, it can also heat up the debate in what is already a tough situation to begin with.
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TIP FOUR
Here you see Trump so eager to influence Pelosi that he shifts forward from a position where he is already seated on the edge of the chair. The effect of this? Pelosi shifts backwards because she subconsciously sees Trump to be entering her personal space by moving forward, and placing his foot forward. This could also put her on the defensive without her realizing it.
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TIP FIVE
Trump is smiling with contempt at the proposal being made by his counterpart Schumer. Really? One of the easiest ways to offend a fellow negotiator is by showing contempt for the points being put across by him. This behavior could even impact one’s career if repeated in professional settings.
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TIP SIX
The tilted neck is “supposed” to show Trump to be listening to Schumer. But here again is the smile of contempt on his face, undermining his posture of listening. Body language never lies and the good observers can make out when you are trying to show something different than what you feel.
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TIP SEVEN
The very next second after we paused the clip here, you see Trump making a comment that he agrees with Nancy. Not if you look at his body language in this snapshot. The crossed hands and the pursed lips suggest he has something else in his mind while she is putting her points across. This again is an example of what happens if you are not watchful of your body language, which is quick to reveal your true thinking and, this time, how it is different from what you are saying.
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TIP EIGHT
Mirroring can be effective way in which parties connect with each other since the similar actions make them feel they are on the same side. But mirroring can work against a conversation if signals of closed body positions get mirrored, whether consciously or unconsciously. Here is Trump mirroring the closed body position of Schumer. At the very next second after this body language, we see them starting to disagree even though previously they were verbally trying to come to an agreement.
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Photo credit: Youtube, Washington Post
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