How do you help people feel comfortable in your presence? First of all, consider that everyone is influenced by their unconscious mind – their primitive brain. The primitive brain is always asking the question “Am I safe?” How do I help your unconscious mind know that you are safe when you’re in my presence? One way is to always keep my hands visible. Your primitive brain is reassured that I don’t have a weapon in my hands and can then relax because it doesn’t need to remain vigilant.
In a scientific study, jurors assumed that defendants whose hands were under the table were assumed to be sneaky, deceitful, and untrustworthy! You don’t want to be perceived as sneaky, deceitful, and untrustworthy so keep your hands visible! Keep your hands above the table and gesture while you speak.
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