I believe the Mirroring has been more important to me due to the fact that I feel that the students feel like they are speaking with a friend, someone they can relate too. Mirroring students body language really puts me at there level and help me relate with them more and our communication goes to another level.
Breanne, Agreed. Negative behavior is not to be modeled or mirrored. So, if a student is demonstrating negative behavior, what are some specific things you can do to help the student out of that negative behavior?
Elizabeth Wheeler
I feel you can do both if the prospective student is mirroring behavior that can be ok but a negative modeling I would try to mirror positive behavior to make the student feel better.
Catherine, Agreed! Thank you for posting.
Dr. Jean Norris
Modeling positive body language will go a long way in making communication with students more effective. The students need to understand that we care for their needs. We want to show engagement through good posture, good eye contact, smiling and actively listening to the students' needs.
Stacey, That is a great point. Thank you for sharing!
Dr. Jean Norris
I think that modeling positive body language is important, because you are the one setting the tone. The prospective student is nervous when they come in and if you come across standoffish then you are not going to be able to uncover an "hot buttons" or make them feel like they can trust you. If you come across with positive body language and you are open and engaging and truly listening and responding and reflecting then you are going to win that person over.
LeAnn, Excellent! You hit on a key point there- positive body language. Always keep it positive- nicely done!
Dr. Jean Norris
I think it completely depends on the scenario. I would certainly start off with positive body language, but may begin to model the student's body language if the conversation took some sort of turn. That seems natural to me, and can be an additional form of empathizing.
Virginia, We agree that modeling professional/positive behavior is key. What do you do when you find your students are not following your lead?
Dr. Jean Norris
I believe the best thing an instructor can do is to model positive language.
Maybe I come from a very traditional background where people use to say please and thank you Ma'am all the time and also dress nice to go to school.
Times have changes and I believe I can model professional posture, language and attitudes to my students.
Virginia
Julie, Well said! It's very important to make the distinction between mirroring the right behavior. Great awareness and thank you for sharing!
Dr. Jean Norris
I think it depends. If the student is exhibiting positive body language, I would try to mirror it. However, if the student was exhibiting negative body language,I would model positive body language and encourage the student to relax and feel more confident about their surroundings. It's sometimes easy to influence the interaction when you are self-aware of the body language going on in the room.
Michael, You make a great point, but what if the student is exhibiting negative behavior?
Dr. Jean Norris
I believe mirroring your students' body language is effective because it makes them feel more comfortable with you. It also makes them feel as if you're in-tune to what they are feeling.
Rachael, Thank you for sharing. I'm curious, what if the student behavior is negative?
Dr. Jean Norris
Mirroring is a more effective communication in my job as an admissions representative because it is important that I am relating to my prospective students, I always try to find common ground to talk about but mirroring is another way to make the other person feel more comfortable around you as you seem similar to them.
Great point, Ricky. Modeling good behavior sets an example. Thank you for sharing.
Dr. Jean Norris
Modeling of course, because it sets a positive tone. It provides a sense of security to the person or persons you're speaking with, and creates a magnetic type of relationship that makes that person want to be a part of an institution, volunteer program, or club.
Mirroring is robotic in nature and creates an awkward uniformity.
andrea,
That is a good point. You can help the student, non-verbally, adjust their body language just by modeling positive body language. What would happen if you were to mirror the negative body language being conveyed?
Dr. Jean Norris
