Body language
Featured in the The Team Leader's Development Manual training manual
By Mike Fenwick
Category: People Management and Motivation
Credit price: 4 download credits (Single user)
Sometimes, as a team leader, we can send the wrong messages through the use of body language. Messages that might, for example, suggest to a team member that we are not interested in what they are saying, when in fact we are just under pressure. Often we deal with team members, other team leaders or our line managers when they themselves are under pressure and possibly behaving aggressively. In these circumstances, it is easy to slip into aggressive body language ourselves, raising the probability of entering the aggressive spiral. Team leaders, therefore, need to be constantly aware of the body language they use and the messages they are sending.
You begin this training activity with an exercise called ‘The three-minute passive', where participants are divided into groups of three, each member of which is given a different role – either role one, two or three. Number ones from each group are brought together to be briefed, and told to prepare to talk for three minutes on a subject of their choice. Whilst they are preparing to do this, all the number twos are given a crash course in passive body language, and the number threes are briefed to be observers. The groups then complete an exercise in which number ones talk to their number twos, number twos ‘ignore’ them through passive body language, and number threes observe. You then introduce the participants to the concept of the four elements of body language and the three forms of body language and the messages each form can send. In a final exercise, the participants again work in groups to discuss what messages team leaders want to send to their team, and the situation in which we can inadvertently slip into inappropriate body language. You conclude the training activity by explaining the aggressive spiral and stressing that controlling body language is an essential skill for the team leader.
Who is it for: This training resource is intended for use by trainers to demonstrate to participants the power of body language and the different messages we can send through eye contact, posture, gesture and facial expression.
| Resource Type: | Activity |
| Min Group Size: | 4 |
| Max Group Size: | 20 |
| Typical Duration: | 01:30:00 |
| No of Pages: | 22 |
Resources: View standard resources for Fenman training activities
Purpose: This training resource is intended for use by trainers as part of a team leadership programme or communication skills programme, or as a stand-alone training activity in body language. It can also be used in programmes on assertiveness, considering others, influencing others, leadership, motivation, and teamwork.
Download the training activity, Body language as featured in the Fenman training manual; The Team Leader's Development Manual