(Bk Business) Carol Kinsey Goman Ph.D.-The Nonverbal Advantage_ Secrets and Science of Body Language at Work -Berrett-Koehler Publishers (2008)

110 The Nonverbal Advantage
Foot Lock
I was gathering background information for a changemanagement
speech by interviewing various leaders at my
client’s company. Knowing that the impending change would
have vast implications for her department, I was especially
interested to talk with the head of customer service.
When I asked her, “How do you feel about the changes
going on here?” the manager replied, “I have no problem.
It’s all fine with me.” At which point she crossed her feet
tightly at the ankles. “Are you sure?” I asked. She paused for a
moment, uncrossed her ankles, and said, “Well, actually, I’m
worried sick that we’ll offshore this entire function.”
A foot lock or ankle lock, in which a foot wraps around
the opposite leg at the ankle or lower calf, is like having a
“closed” sign hanging over the door.
As a therapist, I noticed that individuals who were not
revealing information often locked their ankles and, when
they finally allowed emotions to flow, they’d unlock their
ankles. I’ve seen passengers who are nervous or uncomfortable
during airplane takeoffs display the same foot-lock gesture.
Human resource professionals notice that most interviewees
These feet
show who feels
included and who
feels left out.