How to tell what your teachers are thinking

Do you know that more than half of communication is non-verbal? We tell eachother what we think all the time by the way we sit and smile and stand and move. Most of this type of communication is biological and whether you realize it or not you already can read it to some extent. But what differentiates some of us from the rest, is when we take this form of communication to the conscious level (good politicians and leaders are experts at this).

As a university student, you're going to spend hours of your life watching teachers which can prove to be massively more interesting if you tune in to that form of silent communication they're constantly showering you with. Here are some very common signals to watch for... the benefit is huge!

Just one thing to mention... these moves must be looked at holistically, as a group and not individually. One negative gesture amidst many positive ones should be discounted. You get the point. So take these tips with a grain of salt. :)

Courtesy of Flickr: Tim Ellis

1) Hands in the pocket

It means "I don't want to talk." That's pretty much a deal breaker for me if you do this right before talking to any audience. Hands by the way, do lots of talking, some cultures more than others, but if you hide them in your pockets your telling them that you're not interested really. Try it! Next time you go to a party stand around with your hands in your pocket. It's a sure way to be avoided.

2) Touching, scratching or rubbing the head and face

Watch out as this could mean a lot, including lying! But not always. Most people who want to project power and authority rarely reach for their face or head. Scratching the head may be an indication of thought... or dandruff. But watch out for the tell tale nose, neck or eyebrow scratch that's accompanied by a somewhat suspicious statement. "If you study well, you'll do well." + nose rub = change the teacher! (I'm exaggerating). Here's another move. If you ask the professor a question, lets say, and his immediate response is to bring his hand on his face, very briefly covering his eyes than mouth, he most likely wishes that you'd disappear and he doesn't need to say anything. Hands over the mouth, similarly could mean, he's restraining himself from saying something or doesn't want to talk. 

3) Closed hands, closed soul

If your prof's hands are crossed or come together it's usually a negative gesture. It doesn't mean that you're the negative stimulus. Share bad news to someone who you know likes you and they might adopt this gesture to protect themselves from the bad news, symbolically speaking. But lets say you ask a question and the teacher folds her arms, it's a sign of her discomfort. She could be challenged by the question, annoyed that you asked it or simply uncomfortable with being there.

4) The podium

Grabbing the lectern tightly and leaning on it is usually a sign of discomfort and lack of confidence. The more open, confident and authoritative figures will move away from the podium or only and occasionally lightly embrace it provided that they have the freedom to move away from it. 

5) The legs tell you the true story

A man with legs apart is usually quite confident... he's exposed but shows strength in allowing himself to be exposed. Crossed legs while delivering a lecture means they are defensive... or need to go the bathroom. Tapping feet can show impatience and if the prof's always pointing his feet to the door, he's showing you that he really can't wait to leave!

6) Watch the palms

Open palms facing you are a good sign that the teacher is being open with you. Get a little rowdy and noisy and watch how those palms turn downward "Ok, enough guys". That's an authoritative sign. The worst one is the pointed finger. Very, very negative gesture. Studies have shown that you retain far more information when the teacher uses open palms as compared to the downward facing palm, and very little of the lecture with the pointed finger. Dictators (and parents) often use the pointed finger... seriously. 

7) The steeple 

If the finger come together lightly touching each other at the tips with a slight bounce, it means he's got the answers.

8) Office chairs

I didn't design my office but the way the chairs are arranged in it are to project power and authority while minimizing the student. Here's how they do that - you give the teacher a big chair, with arm rests and a taller back. (Think thrones and kings). You place a desk and on the other side two shorter, smaller chairs, with a straight back and no arm rests. If you sit in the teacher's chair you'll feel the power. If you sit in the smaller chair, it'll force you to look small and you'll actually feel smaller. You don't have to give into this by the way. Sit on the student's chair, lean forward and maybe place your hand on or elbow on the table. You've effectively claimed your territory! But if you're there to get something you know you don't deserve (like bonus grades), it's better to look small and sad and not be so challenging.

9) Hands grasping each other behind the back

I'm in charge! This walk exposes the front (mostly men do this) and it's a sign they are not afraid. Imagine your teacher doing this as he walks down the aisle when you're taking an exam.

There's so much more to mention but I think this is a great place to start. I'm sure it's bound to make you're lectures more interesting. 

Want some more? Next time I'll write about what gestures to adopt to give a better impression to your teachers. You can subscribe (click here) so that you'll be to see it when it comes (plus you'll get a gift!).

Enjoy.

Marc Mikhael, Ph.D.
The Apprentice's Compass - Navigate University!