I watched someone conduct media training who spent more time than I expected analyzing body language. Am I not stressing the importance of body language enough when I conduct media training? She dissected people’s bodies down to their lips. Part of media training is helping participants feel comfortable with the media while being themselves. I wonder how we can expect people to feel comfortable with the media if we are positioning each of their body parts as if working with mannequins.
I’ve read media training experts explain how to stand, place feet and handle eyebrows. This is a case of experts feeling obligated to analyze and going overboard. Sometimes the best experts understand that less is more. I say focus on the big stuff when focusing on body language. If your body language distracts from your interview, then fix it. If your body language makes people not trust you, then correct it. If you make negative faces when reporters ask questions making it clear you hate the journalists sitting before you, then make adjustments. But I’m not for trying to fit a body language template to all people.
We really don’t know about bad body language until we see it in action. What works for some people may not for others. I’ve even stopped myself from over-analyzing. I’ll watch participants during media training and find myself prepared to point out a slight movement that might distract viewers. But I’ve stopped, telling myself not to over-analyze. Keep my mouth shut unless the body language is really too hot to handle.
A good coach makes slight adjustments to a quarterback, eventually leading to big improvements. A good coach knows he doesn’t need to completely re-invent the quarterback’s throwing motion.
Insightful perspective. As an Image Coach and someone that is fascinated by the subject of body language I agree and disagree. But that’s a good thing right? I think it’s important to be able to give others accurate feedback when they are striving to be perceived in a certain light. I recently worked with a young college graduate who was now going to be interviewing for a coveted position with P&G. We did a mock interview – video taped it and made two very important changes. She has too much hand movement and tilting and bobbing of her head. When she watched herself – she saw how she was projecting and she changed it. All good…she nailed the interview.
Thank you Janice for your response. You make good points.