ARTICLE BY MICHALIS MARCOS, MBA*
EXECUTIVE OFFICER,
BUSINESS CONSULTANT & BUSINESS ADVISOR PROFESSOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION/MARKETING
Stop & Head Movement
The head moves when we speak and when we listen and the most common movement we make is nodding. The nod indicates agreement, confirmation, approval. The speed of nodding can reveal the patience or lack of patience of the listener. A slow nod shows that the listener is interested in what the speaker is saying, while a fast nod shows the person you are talking to that you have heard enough or that you want to finish a conversation or that you are asking for a chance to speak too.
Head nodding is a wonderful tool to create a friendly atmosphere and to reach an agreement and cooperation.
There are three basic head postures. In the first (neutral posture), the person does not tilt his head to the right or left and keeps a steady eye contact to the front.
Tilting the head to the right or left demonstrates an exposed and often vulnerable neck and makes the person look smaller and more submissive.
When someone smiles and at the same time tilts their head slightly towards us, it indicates interest.
When someone has their head up with a slight backward movement, this indicates arrogance or an aggressive attitude. When the head is lowered, it means obedience, humility, disapproval or rejection. It can also mean shame or keeping his distance because of his distrust. When someone smiles and at the same time tilts their head slightly towards us, it indicates interest.
Moreover, when a person raises his head quickly, he immediately shows his interest, especially if it is accompanied by a raise of the eyebrows, except of course in cases where he simply looks at the ceiling, which means boredom or indifference.
The shrugging of the shoulders and the crinkling of the head between them allows one to protect one’s vulnerable throat and larynx from injury. When used on a personal or professional level, it implies a request for forgiveness, which diminishes the person using it in any meeting in which they are trying to show confidence.
In addition, touching the head can mean a self-punishment, such as touching the forehead with the palm of the hand, while if combined with touching the head (at the back) and with the 2 hands in the catapult position, it shows arrogance or insolence and this gesture is considered as the number one gesture that women dislike in men. This gesture is intended to intimidate others or imply a relaxed attitude, so that you are lulled into a false sense of security. It’s a trademark of those who want to make you think they know everything (know-it-alls).
Mr.Markou is a Consultant/Scientific Partner of FCA Group (FCA Capital Hellas-FCA Bank) with more than 19 years in the automotive/financial services sector in various managerial positions, either in the FIAT Group (Fiat Credit/FGA Capital Hellas) or in the CREDIT AGRICOLE Group (Emporiki Rent). At the same time, he has worked as a professor of Business Administration & Marketing, in the largest educational groups in Greece (NYC, ALFA, AKMI, DELTA, DOMI, DIDACTA, etc.).
He is a certified adult educator (EOPPEP & OAED), a Vocational Counselor of the Institute of the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (INSEETE) and previously he had served as Deputy Director of the Institute of Tourism. member of the Board of Directors of the National Centre for Public Administration & National Council of the National Council of the National Council of Public Administration and Local Government (EKDDA).
He holds 2 Master in Business Administration degrees from the ESCEM Business & Management School of France and from the Open Greek University (Hellenic Open University), while he also holds a degree in Business Administration from the UK.
His articles on topics related to Business Administration, Sales, Marketing and Human Resource Management have been published in various prestigious magazines & sites.
