Kinesics is the interpretation of body language such as facial expression and gestures or,more formally, non-verbal behavior related

to movement, either of any part of the body or the body as a whole. [source:wikipedia]

Kinesics is the science of body behavioral communication. Any person who has learned how to behave in public and is at all aware of his response to the awkward or inappropriate behavior of others recognizes the importance of body motion behavior to social interaction. It is more difficult to conceive that body motion and facial expression belong to a learned, coded system and that there is a language of movement comparable to spoken language, both in its structure and in its contribution to a systematically ordered communicative system Thus it is more primitive and less controllable than verbal communication

Kinesics is therefore very relevant to management and leadership, and to all aspects of work and business where communications can be seen and physically observed among people. Kinesics is also very relevant to relationships outside of work, for example in dating and mating, and in families and parenting. Communication includes listening. In terms of observable body language, non-verbal (non-spoken) signals are being exchanged whether these signals are accompanied by spoken words or not. Body language goes both ways: Your own body language reveals your feelings and meanings to others. Other people's body language reveals their feelings and meanings to you.

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The sending and receiving of body language signals happens on conscious and unconscious levels. Our body posture and gestures speak for us and conveys a message to the audience. For example, gestures can emphasize a point or relay a message, posture can reveal boredom or great interest, and touch can convey encouragement or caution.[ The movement of the body, or separate parts, conveys many specific meanings and the interpretations may be culture bound. Thus Kinesics is study of body language which includes: Facial expressions Dressing Sense Eye contact Para Linguist Gestures Posture

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Paul Ekman, a psychology professor at the University of California, San Francisco, believes that we make unconscious flashes of expressionscalled microexpressionsthat demonstrate our true feelings. And because they involve muscles that cant be activated at will, these expressions are uncontrollable. But recognizing these hidden emotions requires learning to read between the furrowed brows and stretched lips. The Seven Universal Expressions Microexpressions pop up extremely briefly, ranging from 1/5 to 1/25 of a second in length, so most people dont pick up on them without training. Ekman came up with seven standard expressions and their key components to look for when trying to figure out how the person youre speaking with really feels.

It's true that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but people still do. In the case of human beings, that "cover" is in large part your clothing and others are looking at it to help gauge an impression of who you are. There are very few instances where your clothing doesn't matter. That's because, even in instances where you're the only one who knows what you're wearing, those clothes can affect your mood and how you face the day. Example: 1. The Sloppy Dresser: If your clothes are wrinkled, stained, or mismatched, others typically take this to mean that in a figurative sense you are too. Sloppy clothing sends the message that you don't really care about your appearance, your job, your future or otherwise. 2. The Designer Dresser: Every item on your body is brand name, and you're sure to let others know it. People may take this to mean you're successful, choosy and "put together," but they may think you're overly materialistic or a bit insecure. 3. The Business Casual Dresser: Business casual, when done correctly (i.e. casual loafers, not flip flops), can be a sign of a confident, well-meaning individual. 4. The Drab Dresser: Do you always dress in neutrals and plain slacks and shirts, and never dare stray from this uniform? A drab dresser can be an indication that you're trying to blend in with the crowd and don't want a lot of extra attention. 5. The Casual Dresser: This is the guy or gal who never puts on anything but jeans and a t-shirt. Fine for a weekend at home, but over time this look can make you appear one-sided or lacking a creative flair or dimension.

How to Use Clothing to Your Advantage In reality most people are a combination of clothing styles, wearing casual clothes one day and business garb the next. The key to using clothing to your advantage is to dress so you feel ready to take on the world. In fact, experts have found that dressing in this way has a real impact on your mood and your outlook.

A person's eyes reveal much about how they are feeling, or what they are thinking. Blink rate can reveal how nervous or at ease a person may be. Consistent eye contact can indicate that a person is thinking positively of what the speaker is saying. It can also mean that the other person doesn't trust the speaker enough to "take their eyes off" the speaker. Lack of eye contact can indicate negativity. On the other hand, individuals with anxiety disorders are often unable to make eye contact without discomfort

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Paralinguistic communication is the study of voice and how words are said. When you open your mouth to speak, you reveal much about yourself that often has nothing at all to do with the words you are speaking. Paralinguistic signals and cues refer to every element and nuance of your speech. Paralinguistic communication can be much more subtle than other forms of nonverbal communication. For example, a loud, booming voice is not at all subtle. However, a firm voice that conveys conviction is more nuanced than a pointing finger, big gestures, or invading someones personal space. Here are some common paralinguistic vocal cues and examples: Rate/Speed:Rapid rates of speech (and quickly coming up with a response) have been correlated with composure and self-assurance. Volume Research indicates that confidence, assertiveness, and boldness are reflected in louder speech. This doesnt mean that you go around speaking loudly but if you need to "raise the stakes" or occur more assertive, raising your vocal volume will help you to do this.

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Pitch A high-pitched voice can often time sound squeaky or childlike. Many people associate lower pitches with greater credibility, maturity and authority. Inflection/Vocal variety Inflection refers to variations in pitch. Imagine a storyteller reading a book to children. You would expect an almost singsong inflection. But too much inflection in other contexts, like the business world, can undermine credibility. On the other hand, we all know what its like to be nearly put to sleep by a monotone speaker who will definitely be perceived as less charismatic or even flat out boring. Quality Quality usually refers to the vocal characteristics that allow you to differentiate one voice from another. Is a persons voice small, feminine, or shaky; thin, throaty, or aloof; tense, flat, grating, nasal, harsh, or shrill? All of these represent different vocal combinations of rate, pitch, and volume. Intensity/Tone Finally, how emphatic are the statements? For example if someone says, "I want you to do it now!" The intense delivery can be a direct indicator of the speaker's passion and commitment or lack of it. The tone also reveals emotions behind the words being spoken.

They say a picture paints a thousand words and the same can certainly be said for gestures. We all subconsciously give away hints as to our true feelings, through our movements and gestures. Do use your hands. They don't belong on your hips or in your pockets or folded across your chest either or held behind your back. Use them-to help emphasize a point, to express emotion, to release tension, and to engage your audience. Most people have a gestural vocabulary at their disposal. Anyone can all think of a gesture that supports words such as "short" or "tall;" however, the gestures of everyday conversation tend to be too small and often too low to use in front of a large audience. Presenters need to scale their gestures to the size of the room. The most effective gestures arise from the shoulder, not the wrist or elbow. Shoulder gestures project better across the distance and release more of the presenter's energy, helping combat any tension that can build in the upper body

A slumped posture indicates that you have low spirits, fatigued or that you feel inferior. Whereas, an erect posture shows high spirits and confidence. If you lean forward it implies that you are open and interested. Leaning away shows disinterest and defensiveness. Maintaining a rigid posture may mean that you are defensive, while a relaxed posture may translate to openness. Crossed legs and arms shows unwillingness to listen while uncrossed arms and leg indicates that you are approachable.

Kinesics is important in a number of situations. In a job interview, the proper kinesics can drastically improve an interviewee's chances of being hired, while the wrong kinesics can seriously hamper an otherwise successful meeting. Some interviewers are trained to detect body language indicative of dishonesty. Police also use this technique during interrogations.

We can cantegorize body language in five types based on eye contact,geture,posture and various other componenets of kinesics.
CLOSED AGGRESSIVE body language 1. Hands on hips 2. Legs too wife too macho 3. Invading personal space too close 4. Aggressive gesturing finger pointing 5. Standing over someone 6. Over firm handshake 7. Eye balling out staring CLOSED DEFENSIVE body language 1. Crossed arms or legs 2. Hunched shoulders 3. Poor eye contact 4. Leaning away 5. Tight voice CLOSED NERVOUS body language 1. Nail biting 2. Dry throat swallowing / coughing 3. Blushing face/neck/chest 4. Weak handshake 5. Avoiding eye contact
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CLOSED BORED body language Looking around the room Looking at watch Drumming fingers Yawning Shifting weight Rubbing face OPEN INTERESTED body language Firm handshake Good eye contact On the same level Confident stance Confident gestures chosen gestures Showing interest head nod / slight lean in

On scientific analysis, it has been found that the different aspects of communication comprise 55% bodily movements and gestures, 38% vocal tone and only 7% words or verbal communication. It is thus clear that about 93% of communication is nonverbal, as many times, words are inadequate. This shows that correct use of body language serves as an effective nonverbal communication tool to convince fellow-workers at workplace, as well as family and friends, eventually leading to overall organizational success through self-development. It further leads to personal and professional growth of an employee, ultimately benefitting the organization.