Want to know your boss? Check out the body language

SYDNEY: If you find it difficult to understand your boss, note his or her body language as it can surely give you a clue.
 
An Australian survey found that body language speaks louder than words for most employees, especially when it comes to interpreting the boss' directions or making sense of a conversation at work. Around 79 per cent of the respondents felt so.

Furthermore, 87 per cent of the 1,568 people surveyed say they are usually correct with their interpretation.

They pick up the warning signs far quicker from understanding body language than analysing words which can be ambiguous.

"Body language is a vital part of everyday communication and having the capability of understanding physical signals can have a significant impact on corporate success,'' said Campbell Sallabank, CEO of networking company 'Linkme' which conducted the survey.

It found that 82 per cent of respondents are conscious of their body language towards others, believing how they present themselves is key to determining what people think of them and vice versa.

"Well-crafted body language helps people in all areas of their career particularly in interview situations where first impressions are crucial, '' Mr Sallabank said.
 
Just six per cent of people rely on the spoken word for determining the impressions others have of them.
 
He says successful business people, particularly politicians, spend significant time and money perfecting the art of body language ensuring they convey their intended message.

"Email are misinterpreted so often because the words on screen do not convey the all-important tone, expression or nuance,'' Sallabank said.