Body Watching Helps Us Understand Gender Differences at Leadership Retreat at The Old Mill Inn

Dr. Susan Weinkle and Keith Greathouse reverse male/female roles in a demonstration of how different the body language is — it was hilarious.

Professor Janet Mills, keynote lecturer at the WDS Member Renewal Retreat in Toronto in June, spoke on the topic of “Bodywatching.” She gave us the inside scoop on how to distinguish feminine and masculine body language differences and how to use that information to understand what people are trying to say or convey — often times, subliminally. Through playacting where the male/female roles were reversed, we could see how changing ones posture, body orientation, interpersonal space, etc. can change the dynamics of a communication or interaction.

Here are some of the role-playing exercises that were demonstrated by WDS members who were called to the stage to perform:

POSTURE

Feminine Style:
Constrict in space with arms/legs close to body, thus looking smaller

Masculine Style:
Expand in space; extends arms/legs away from the body, thus looking larger

Interpretation of Gender Difference:
Female appears subservient to male

BODY ORIENTATION/ INTERPERSONAL SPACE

Feminine Style:
Pairs face each other directly and stand close to each other

Masculine Style:
Pairs stand side-by-side and keep their distance

Interpretation of Gender Difference:
Male is more concerned with establishing his power status before getting to know someone new

FEET AND LEGS

Feminine Style:
Zero degree intra-femoral angle when sitting (legs held together)

Masculine Style:
5-15 degree intra-femoral angle when sitting (legs spread apart)

Interpretation of Gender Difference:
Female appears less relaxed than male, thus appearing stiff or nervous which creates an image of less authority

ARMS AND HAND POSITION

Feminine Style:
May flip hair back or stroke hair or back of neck

Masculine Style:
Power spread: Arms spread wide with hands behind head at nape of neck

Interpretation of Gender Difference:
Female appears to be seductive which lessens her power, while male shows his ability to be relaxed and in control of the setting

HEAD POSITIONS

Feminine Style:
Tilts the head to demonstrate she is listening carefully

Masculine Style:
Rarely tilts head or lowers head

Interpretation of Gender Difference: With the tilt of the head or the lowering of the chin, the female appears shy and hopeful to please, whereas the male holds head high showing his self-confidence and power

FACIAL DISPLAY

Feminine Style:
Attentive, watchful of environment

Masculine Style:
Relaxed muscles around the eyes, relaxed brows, indirect eye contact

Interpretation of Gender Difference:
Female appears to be motherly (low power), while male exudes a tough and “in control” look.

For more information on gender differences, contact Dr. Janet Mills, Boise State University at: jmills@bsu.idbsu.edu or call: 208-336-1808.

WDS Renewal Retreat at THE OLD MILL INN
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