I think modeling positive body lanquage is more effective because a student maybe conveying negative body language and not be awre of it.
Nichole,
Modeling positive body language is a great place to start when you begin to build rapport, especially if you sense that the other person is uneasy or nervous. Modeling positive behaviors can help put the other person at ease.
Dr. Jean Norris
Modeling positive body language. Your body language will determine how a person will communicate with you and/ or be open to you. If your body language is telling people you are stand off ish they will fall back from being open in communication with you.
Mandy,
Excellent point! What happens when the student does not follow along in the behavior you are modeling?
Dr. Jean Norris
I believe that modeling positive body language is the most important and the more effective means of communication. When meeting with prospects, the interviewer should set the professional example with their positive body language. In most cases, the prospect will follow the lead of the interviewer. Regardless, it is the interviewers responsibility to exhibit the appropriate body language so the prospect can take that away from the meeting. I am excited to talk about the importance of positive body language with my team.
Laura,
Agreed, and excellent point! Thank you for sharing.
Dr. Jean Norris
I believe modeling it because we are the refection, students are always observing us and will do exactly what we do. It is so important that we provide a professional manner at all times.
Being professional and modeling positive body language is important so we can maintain our credibility and that of our institution, however mirroring can help to build rapport with the person who might be apprehensive to open up. How do you think you can balance the two for the best result?
Dr. Jean Norris
I believe modeling positive body language is a more effective for communication when dealing with students because you want to come across an not only the person in charge but also as one who is truly want to help that student. You want to be the positive example you want the student to follow.
There is a skill to mirroring and staying professional. Using the scenario you mention, how can you mirror that student without giving up your professionalism? What else can you mirror besides the body language?
I do believe modeling positive body language is more effective for communcation because sometimes people do things they don't realize and if you're mirroring them, they may get the wrong idea and think you're being lazy or rude. For instance, if a student is sitting with elbows on the desk and their arms holding their head up, you don't want to mirror that kind of body language.
Once we are in rapport with our students we can take the opportunity to model positive body language. Admissions professionals need to be professional at all times, but mirroring our students can help to build rapport. Thanks for your post Bill.
I feel both are extremely important. But I would you modeling positive body language is very important. If you give your student positive body language and are up beat then your body language should help change there body language. Also making them feel more comfortable and getting them engaged.
In using both during a conversation, do you think that you need or want to do one before the other?
I think you can both. During a conversation you can model positive body language to let the listener know you are interested or enthusiasm or to establish authority. However, I think you can also mirror a student's body language to connect to them and let them know that they can express themselves to you because you are showing you are approachable.
That's very interesting. You bring up a valid point about how modeling positive body language allows us to be more confident in our work. The combination of mirroring and modeling has proved to be a good formula for many folks. Thanks!
I think you're right, there is a skill to mirroring because we still need to maintain professionalism while trying to connect with our student. Thank you for your post.
As a certified hypnotherapist, I use a combination of mirroring and modeling. Even when I have a client under, I still model body behavior. It helps me build rapport and exudes my confidence that what I'm doing will work for them...and it does.
Mirroring can be a very effective way of building rapport with the student. Their subconscious sees the mirroring as, "There is something about this person that is like me, but I'm not sure what that something is..."
I'm not saying to "mock" their body language, because mirroring takes some skill.
I believe that modeling positive body language is the most effective way to communicate with students. It is important to stay positive, professional and poised. Some times students are not so positive and agents and admissions should be able to communicate the opposite to individuals.
If we mirror the wrong type of behaviors like students, there may be sever consequences to follow. We have a higher level of standards to uphold. It is important to always model the correct way to communicate with students.
