Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Negotiation Secret # 83: Protruding Thumbs



French writer Maylis de Kerangal is seen her after receiving the Medicis Book Award for her novel Naissance d'un Pont.  When thumbs are protruding with the fingers hidden, as Ms. de Kerangal displays, this is a sign of high confidence and dominance (Navarro).  She feels superior in the context of winning such a prestigious  award - as most anyone would.  While more commonly displayed in men, it is increasingly prevent with women, and regardless of gender - it is a sure sign of an "alpha" personality. If a mid-level manager uses this "thumbs out" display at work - and then her boss walks in - you'll see an immediate disengagement from this posture - lest she becomes an unemployment statistic. 

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