More than 80 per cent of what is communicated is not in the words we use, and what we intend may or may not be what is ‘read’ by the receivers and peripheral participants. Cadence, eye contact, gestures, body angles and weight placement all have implications, which change depending on the social situation, the cultural background and gender of the giver and receiver, the status of the participants, and so on. As an actor whose specialty is Physical Theatre — and also as a person with a keen interest in interaction, empowerment, and culture (and a BA in Anthropology), I have given a great deal of my life’s attention to these non-verbal cues.
Along those lines, this week I taught a couple workshops with some wonderful college students who are going into health-related fields, and who want to learn how to be better at reading a patient, and giving them the focus and attention they need most. I share with you some primary ideas, in hopes that they will be another way of looking at a moment, and perhaps useful.
* Unpacking what’s happening
Status Yours, theirs, the situation’s. Social Status and ‘Playing Status’
What is it? What do we mean? What is the most utilitarian understanding? (macro & micro)
Using status to make the situation go well by making small adjustments and watching what the other people are doing; being aware of
the impact your status has.
Fun performance exercise about status
Reflection-what did we notice? Seeing it, using it, understanding it exercises.
Why is it important?
Care-giver and client
Client and client
Care-giver and care-giver
Subtext
What is it? “What’s really being said”, even unintentionally. Remember: intention and reception are NOT the same — arms crossed over chest reads as “I’m not receptive”, even if all you feel is “I am cold”!
Seeing it in action
Unpack and relive:
Body Language
Vocal Stuff
First 30-40 seconds
First part of diagnosing (even in a non-health situation!) is in the first 30 seconds — how does the person feel about being there now? Are they ready to talk about condition or a treatment plan? Probably not. Look for the body clues for stress, anxiety, resistance find a way to address these first. No matter WHAT field you are in, a successful outcome requires addressing these conditions first. Find a way to ‘yes’ the emotional experience, even if you need to ‘no’ a current practice or habit as part of your treatment plan.
Understanding by design
What does a successful outcome look like? What does well-being look like?
General healing moments
Conflict resolutions:
long term/short term
private vs public
strategic moment, hearable, impactful outcome
understanding the importance of client resistance
* Body Language
Reading others — Look for tension, weight positioning, open/closed body language.
Making choices — Most importantly, attend. Believe in the value of the other person, even if you disagree with their choices — it will increase your chances of success. Remember, a strong, established status through body language means your words do not need to be as forceful. Also, use the least amount needed; too much makes you threatening.
– Hold your head still when you speak
– Relax (add and release tightness/tension as needed)…especially your core, and try to breathe evenly
– Smooth, not fluttery movement
– No extra movements or word bits — better to be silent for a second than have ums, ers, and uhs
– Eye contact — direct without challenging, when to look away
– “Male” and “Female” head angles (right angles vs. tilt)
– Use of space and of objects in that space
– Point your open heart to the client!
* Verbal Language
Think About…..
– Opening ‘address’. Use of title (Mr., Miss, Ms. Mrs.)? Use of first or last name, or nickname? Use of a cultural modifier (Dude, bro, yo, sweetheart, etc)? How connected or detached are you? This is your opportunity to set the TONE and the RELATIONSHIP.
– Humour. Yes, no, mixed. What kind? NOTE: Humor must NOT devalue the seriousness of the incident.
– Breath, pace
– Avoid extra words, ums, and charged language (but you already knew that)
– Building in their success
– Holding your ground when all else fails….. if you are in the position of greater status, do it as gently as possible
* Cultural Norms
“Kiss Bow Shake Hands”; “Cultural Differences in Non-Verbal Communication; health screening for children and adolescents by the Vermont Department of Health” & more
Eye Contact, Physical Contact, Space, Vocals
* Quick note: learning, attending styles (yours and theirs)
Text, Aural, Visual, Kinetic
* Group practice/problem solving: common situations. Remember to look for creative solutions to similar outside of your field as well! (e.g. Early Childhood Education tips)
Support rabble today!
We’re so glad you stopped by! Thanks for consuming rabble content this year.
rabble.ca is 100% reader and donor funded, so as an avid reader of our content, we hope you will consider gifting rabble with a donation during our summer fundraiser today.
Whether it be a one-time donation or a small monthly contribution, your support is critical to keep rabble writers producing the work you’ve come to rely on as a part of a healthy media diet.
Become a rabble rouser — donate to rabble.ca today.
Nick Seebruch, editor
