Equipped with a whimsical sense of humour, sharp-witted Kenyans, boosted by the power of social media, can easily and creatively make national debates out of jokes and jokes out of national issues. These discussions are often inspired by politics and leaders.
Kenya, being in perpetual political mode, the actions and utterances of leaders are always under close scrutiny and a trigger of exciting viral posts and threads. Even when they do not say much, their body language, as they endeavour to remain relevant in the political palaver, is sufficient to easily result in trending discussions on social media.
In this era when perception is reality, the hilarious, hyped and high-voltage discourses on social media platforms would sometimes draw the attention of high-profile personalities. The discussions would then easily lead to conspiracy theories that may form the basis of political dynamics.
Yes! The consequences of the body language of a political leader may take this trajectory once it finds its way to our lively social media platforms.
Body language is doubtlessly a powerful tool for communication. It plays a significant role in conveying emotions, attitudes and intentions. Ray Birdwhistell, who coined the term kinesics (how people communicate with each other using non-verbal signals), estimated that words carry not more than 30 to 35 per cent of the social meaning of a conversation or an interaction.
Body language is a crucial aspect of all the affairs that are central to the management of affairs both in the private and public sectors. Diplomacy, for instance, which is the most important pillar in contemporary global affairs, is one area where body language is said to play an important role.
From historic moments like the Reagan-Gorbachev summits to the current negotiations that shape the global landscape, the role of body language remains key.
In leadership, it is proven that the right body language can help in communicating more effectively, making better decisions, enhancing reputations and credibility, and improving leadership skills.
By mastering the art of body language, leaders can become more effective communicators, build stronger relationships, and have a greater impact on their stakeholders, including those on social media.
Studies have shown that body language can have a profound impact on the outcome of negotiations. According to some body language experts, negotiators who use expansive, open body language, such as spreading their arms and making large gestures, are more likely to reach mutually beneficial agreements than those who use more closed or defensive body language.
It is worth noting that in the Mehrabian model, developed by Prof Albert Mehrabian, a pioneer in the study of body language, the 7-38-55 rule was established in situations where there was incongruence between words and expression.
According to the rule, in any conversation, seven percent of the meaning is derived from the actual words spoken, 38 percent from the way we speak the words and a whopping 55 percent from our facial expressions.
This research shows that when our verbal and nonverbal signals are out of alignment, people are forced to choose between what they hear and what they see. They will then subconsciously believe our body language. Such is the importance of body language.
The ability to learn and appreciate body language is a combination of both nature and nurture. While some individuals may be naturally better at nonverbal cues, training and experience can help others to develop and improve these skills.
Our leaders should, therefore, at least learn the basics of body language. For example, they should learn and avoid, at least at public events, body language that shows discomfort, distrust or other negative emotions like being defensive or disengaged.
Different cultures have different norms and expectations for nonverbal communication, which can lead to confusion and misinterpretation. For example, in some cultures, direct eye contact may be seen as a sign of respect, while in others, it may be interpreted as a sign of aggression.
Diversity commonly defines societies. Leaders should, therefore, be at the forefront of advocating for the appreciation of the factors that can impact body language, such as cultural and religious differences.
The art of body language is a vital survival skill for leaders to embrace, particularly with respect to the charged streets of social media whose influence in shaping perceptions cannot be gainsaid.
It is a skill that can easily enable leaders to mitigate what is said, seen and perceived of them.
Health executive, Garissa county
