Janine Driver: Body Language on the Job

Our body language sends signals to our bosses and co-workers all the time. Body language expert, Janine Driver shows us some gestures that could impact your career.◦

Janine Driver: Body Language on the Job

Abdullah Gul meets with Amir Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah

Turkey's President Abdullah Gul meets with Amir Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah of Kuwait during his official visit to Kuwait, on December 21, 2009.

Here we see two powerful people, who are both happy, with the confident and often times negative finger pointing gesture.

While it is still perceived as negative what is important is how neither wants to be perceived as weaker, so they match each others gesture.

In this case whomever holds it higher wins. Based on the picture it would be likely Amir Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah of Kuwait was first to make the gesture and Turkey's President Abdullah Gul followed suit.

In a way it is gesture gamesmanship, and in politics it is important to master- especially in the Middle East.

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Abdullah Gul meets with Amir Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah

Who has the Upper Hand in this Handshake?

WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 19: U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (R) and Prime Minister of Iraq Nouri al-Maliki talk to reporters after a meeting at the State Department on October 19, 2009 in Washington, DC. Al-Maliki is in Washington to attend a conference to promote investment in his country's economy. He will also meet with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.

Whomever has their hand "over" the others hand -palms facing down- has the upper hand and is more dominant.

It is also a bit "yecky" because it is almost a finger handshake, which no one likes!◦

Who has the Upper Hand in this Handshake?

Allan Pease Talks a Little About the Handshake

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Allan Pease Talks a Little About the Handshake

Winning Body Language: Mark Bowden Speaks about the Handshake

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Winning Body Language: Mark Bowden Speaks about the Handshake

Clinton and Obama Handshake at Fifth Annual Meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative

Sep 22 2009
Former President Bill Clinton at the Fifth Annual Meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) held at the Sheraton Hotel. The Fifth Annual Meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative brings together leaders in politics, business, science, academics and religion to discuss global issues such as climate change and peace in the Middle East. Pictured: Former President Bill Clinton and President Barack Obama Picture by: Splash News

As we all know, when being photographed the more powerful looking is the person standing on the left, both know this. It is one of the things that they are taught when they become President by the official White House photographer. It is nice to see Obama show his respect for the former President by allowing him to stand on the left.◦

Clinton and Obama Handshake at Fifth Annual Meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative

Obama More Than a Simple Handshake

ARLINGTON, VA - SEPTEMBER 11: U.S. President Barack Obama greets family members of victims of the 9/11 attack during a rememberance ceremony at the Pentagon September 11, 2009 in Arlington, Virginia. Obama joined staff and family members at the Pentagon to comemorate the eighth anniversary of the September 11 attacks. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Here we see Obama give more than a handshake by touching the family member's arm it creates another touch connection, which conveys more emotion.

There are different degrees of emotion even in an handshake, there is hands only; and the free hand touches forearm or upper arm; there is the free hand on the shoulder; and there is the free hand enclosing the hands that are shaking in a "hand hug." Each progressively conveys more emotion and attachment.◦

Obama More Than a Simple Handshake

RICKY PONTING AND ANDREW FLINTOFF SHAKE HANDS

Aug 24 2009
RICKY PONTING AND ANDREW FLINTOFF SHAKE HANDS 5TH ASHES TEST MATCH 5TH ASHES TEST MATCH,NPOWER TEST SERIES 2009 THE BRIT OVAL, LONDON, ENGLAND 23 August 2009 DIB7196 AiWire Photo via Newscom

What we see here is a more personal hand shake than the typical businessman's hand shake. By placing the free hand on the shoulder it is somewhere between a handshake and a full hug.

Other variations include placing the free hand on the other's forearm or enclosing the other person's hand in a sort of hand hug- these all are taking the handshake to a different level of intimacy.◦

RICKY PONTING AND ANDREW FLINTOFF SHAKE HANDS

Who is More Powerful?

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 18: New Zealand Prime Minister John Key imeets the Premier of Victoria John Brumby at the Victorian State Government Dinner at the Investment Centre, Collins Street on August 18, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. Key is on a 2 day visit to Victoria, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

I have to admit I have never seen either of these two gentlemen before, but one thing I know is the person photographed on the left is the more powerful.

Whomever is on the left in a photograph appears more powerful and better.

See how the handshake between the two places one person in the lead position? We can see more of the hand of the person on the left.

People who have been trained in body language and are in the public eye often will jockey for this position.◦

Who is More Powerful?

Julia Roberts and James Franco Filming In NYC

Aug 5 2009
Julia Roberts and James Franco photographed while on the set of 'Eat, Pray, Love' currently filming on location in New York City. Pictured: Julia Roberts and James Franco Picture by: Splash News

I always like to take a look at pictures of movies being filmed because good actors play their roles to the maximum and use body language to complete their characters.

Take a look at how Julia is holding James' hand. When we shake hands in a typical greeting and one person uses both hands it is equivalent of a hug; it is showing more emotion.

Look how her left hand is positioned...so the camera can see some of both of her hands, it would have been just as easy to position it higher, but when filming it becomes disconcerting if you see the wrist but the hand disappears.

Sunglasses signifies something to hide. We like to be able to see the eyes and feel some uneasiness when we cannot; eyes give us clues of feeling and emotion, and the direction of future movement.

James has a true smile- see the lines spreading out from his eye.

They are perfectly in sync with their walking- this is by design.

On aside, take a look at the accessories: Julia's belt buckle and necklace, and James bracelet- these are all added to make the characters more visually interesting to look at. ◦

Julia Roberts and James Franco Filming In NYC

Photo Ops for World Leaders

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi (R) greets U.S. President Barack Obama as he arrives for a round table session at the G8 summit in L'Aquila, Italy on July 8, 2009. (UPI Photo/Alex Volgin) Photo via Newscom

Leaders always want to be photographed on the left hand side of the picture, long ago it was learned that those on the left look more powerful and in control of the situation. Sometimes it can be funny how they jockey for position.

Obama likes to get in close to those he is being photographed with; I believe it is to create a sense of 'we're friends' and I also believe it has contributed to his rock star appeal and charisma. This sometimes doesn't work with other world leaders and in cultures where there is more distance between individuals greeting each other, and can lead to awkward moments.◦

Photo Ops for World Leaders