Rob Bauer

February 18, 1999

On Thursday February 18^th, Cohen & Company held a network team meeting. As a consultant in Network Services, I am obligated to attend this meeting. It was held in Cohen's Cleveland office in the Bond Court Building at 8:30 AM. The meeting was held in the conference room, which offers large padded chairs and a large conference table. The team consists of seven members, of which six were in attendance. Of the six, there were two females (a senior consultant and consultant.) Including myself, there were four males (manager, senior consultant, consultant (myself), and a salesman.) Everyone maintained about two feet between each other.

The meeting started at 8:30 AM and nonverbal communications were observed throughout the meeting which lasted for about 2 hours. Last names have been omitted to protect the innocent. Eric (manager) started the meeting. Sitting at the head of the table, he was leaned forward with both hands clasped together on the table. He made eye contact with each member from 5 seconds to 30 seconds and every now and then looking down or off in the distance. Members at the table appeared relaxed and focused. They were sitting comfortably (backs against the chairs, arms resting on the armrests or resting in their lap). The facial expressions tended to lean towards concerned and groggy. Eye contact was focused on Eric. The meeting turned over to a discussion. One member, Kathleen (senior consultant), communicated her thoughts and while doing so, shifted her body forward and move her hands out slightly and moved them around with her palms facing up. Meanwhile, Eric had sat back in his chair and put both hands behind is head and nodded slightly. Other members turned slightly toward Kathleen and tilted their head slightly. Some also put a finger over their mouth or fiddled with a pen. The discussion went on for a while and then a very technical network presentation was given. All the members of the team are very technically inclined except for Joe who just started with Cohen as a salesman. The presentation started with Eric and Mike (senior consultant) jumped in to explain and give examples. With in minutes, members around the table shifted forward and put a finger (or hand) to their mouth. Jean (consultant) rotated around to face the presenter and propped her head up by her left hand. As more ones and zeros were drawn on the white-board, technical members facial expressions appeared very focused and border-lined confused. At this point, Joe sat completely back with arms resting on the arm rests. He maintained eye contact with the presenter, but his facial expressions were relaxed. After twenty minutes or so, facial expressions on Kathleen and Jean (and myself) turned from focused to puzzled. Questions were asked and Mike explained while the hand motions became more frequent. Ten minutes later the topic was declared dead and the meeting was wrapped up.

The previous description of nonverbal communication contains a variety of gestures. Many of the gestures are effects of the situation. Other gestures broadcast subtle meanings which can misinterpreted, but in the context of the situation, help that person or the others around.

Hand gestures were very common throughout the meeting. Eric used them to focus attention to particular points of interest on his handouts. Although, Kathleen used hand gestures to emphasize her ideas as she was speaking them. The presenters (Mike and Eric) used many hand gestures to help communicate their ideas and lessons. The mentioned gestures were not invented, but are a part of our culture. They appear to help drive an idea or point across to the person that is to receive them.

Facial expressions too had changed throughout the meeting. There appeared to be two major facial shifts. The general focused if not groggy facial expression at the beginning of the meeting and the very focused yet puzzled or confused facial expressions during the technical presentation. The change in expressions, if read correctly, helps the presenter tailor the information. Although never a substitute for asking questions, it does tend to help the owner of the puzzled or confused facial expression. The relaxed expression on Joe's face might mean he is listening, but not worried because his career does not rely on the technically detailed information.

These gestures are used throughout our culture. The team meeting showcased a couple stereotypical gestures and facial expressions. In the computer-consulting field, these stereotypical gestures are needed to communicate with our clients.