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

Chapter 6: Feet First
115
Standing with weight constantly shifting
When uncomfortable, many people fidget and
shift their weight from one foot to the other.
They may also rock back and forth as a way to
calm themselves during anxious moments.
Standing with legs crossed The crossed-legs
stance is most often seen coupled with crossed
arms. It’s another closed and defensive posture
that can also be a sign of low confidence. Many
people stand in this position when they are in a
group of strangers.
Standing with one foot forward When the
body weight is shifted to one hip, it leaves the
lead leg and foot free to point in the direction
of interest.
TRY THIS
At your next business function or social event, watch
the different stances that people take. Can you pick out
those who are uncomfortable or new to the group by
the way they stand? (Most likely they stand with legs
crossed or they shift their weight from foot to foot.)
When people are in a group, notice where the most feet
are pointing. From that observation you can pick out
the person who is the most important or interesting in
the group—without hearing a word being spoken.