One Mistake a Host of a Party or Event Should Never Make

One Mistake You Should Never Make as the Host of a Party

Do you want people to feel warm and welcomed into your home and have a lasting positive memory of your party? As a host you should always make it a point to greet your guests as they come into your home and say goodbye as they leave. A bad host is so caught up in the food and other details of the event that he or she ignores the most important element, the guests.  Immediately greeting your guest says nonverbally, "You come first." Greetings are designed to let those entering the space know everything is safe. Our primal limbic brains are wired to be on guard until we are warmly welcomed into a space. If you are extremely busy in the kitchen, you can give a close friend or family member the job of greeting the guests. Tell them exactly what their "job" is. Whether that is standing near the door and welcoming with a hug or a handshake, taking coats or serving each guest their first beverage.  Making sure everyone feels welcome is the MOST important thing.  (By the way if you have a excitable dog that barks and jumps make sure you arrange for a positive greeting from your pet or put the pet out of the way with a chew toy till most of the guests are there.)

In addition, kissing and or hugging goodbye symbolically says, "I leave you with affection." With a touch goodbye, the last memory your guest has of leaving the home is that he or she is surrounded by love. Touching on greeting are small social rituals with big impact. There is one fallback tactic that allows you to change this ritual.

So if you are hosting a large family gathering, office party of friends these are tips to make you a great host.




Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.

Body Language read of Will and Jada Smith

Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith brought the ice to the Vanity Fair Oscar party in March, according to Patti "the tightness of Jada's neck, head and mouth shows that she is angry."  Will exudes warmth - toward the camera but not her,
Their affections heated up when they hit the beach on June 9.  "Jada is pushing her heart up to him and Will's belly is pressed against her and his whole face is pointing toward her.  They have a sensual and a spiritual connection , observes Patti.

Patti gives this couple in March a 2 on the True Love Rating scale for Life & Style

Patti gives this couple in June a 5 on the True Love Rating scale for Life & Style


Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.

Johnny & Amber - Chill in the Air

Engagements are meant to be blissful, but Johnny Depp, 50, and Amber Heard, 28, didn't get the memo.  At a May 6 event, Johnny forced a smile and put his arm around Amber, but Patti observes that Amber is not giving herself fully.  The way she holds her arm over her pelvis shows she has been harmed by infidelity.  The ice barely thawed as Amber visited Johnny on set June 2, notice how Amber has crossed her arms in front as he kisses her.  As if she does not want to be kissed!

Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.

Magic Phrases

When you get nonverbal signals such as comfort cues around a particular topic there are magic phrases that you can use to get the person to tell you the truth about what's going on. 

What can I do to make you feel comfortable talking about this? 

I know you'll feel so much better if we can talk about what's going on.

I know you'll feel so much better and the tension you're feeling will ease as soon as you share what's going on. 

  

When giving coaching or criticism or asking for a change in behavior you want the person you're giving the coaching to to feel comfortable listening to you fully and assure them that the working relationship is important. 

Especially for supporters and influencers on the disc personality assessment who are people that are focused and they need to know you will still like them after you criticize them.  You need to make them know you value them as team members

I value our working relationship 

I want you to know as I share a way to take your game to a new level this is about your game not about you. 

Let's talk about a way you can play even better for the team.

I value you as a team member.

  

After you've given somebody an assignment you can ask some of these questions.

What's the best way to make this happen quickly? 

Is this the best way to make this happen easily?

What would be a barrier to making this happen?

What would keep this from being able to happen quickly and easily?

What are your concerns going forward with this?

What are your top three concerns going forward with it?

What are two thoughts you have about this project? 

I don't know if I've been clear with this assignment or not can you pretend like you're sending me an email to do it and tell me what you'd say in the email? 

What are the questions that you have about what I expect from you on this?

What would make this easy to do or what would make this easier to do? 

What would be the challenges to making this? 

What would be the first thing that you would need to do to make this happen?

What would be the first to make this happen?

When you get back to your desk what will you need to make this happen?

What can I do to make you feel comfortable talking about this?

Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.

Walking Styles of Men and What They Reveal

Patti was interviewed by Men's Health on the walking style of men.  Check the link below to read her insights.

http://www.menshealth.com/best-life/walking-style

Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.