Did you know where you sit at a table says a lot about you?
August 8, 2017
By Brian Maynor
How often do you find yourself sitting around a table conducting business in a week?
Chances are a lot, but have you ever stopped to think about why you choose where to sit, or what it says about you? How about what it says about the other people around the table?
Where we sit around a table and how we sit are messages, just like body language, that provide great insight into not only power dynamics, but also motives and level of engagement.
Here are a few insights behind table real estate and how to interpret them:
1. The corner spot. This is an advantage place to sit when you are attempting to build or relay trust. It is convenient for sharing and reviewing notes together, implies that you’re on their side, and allows for other body language cues of camaraderie. Sitting directly across from someone can appear aggressive or competitive, while sitting directly beside them can feel a bit too intimate.
Choose the ‘right’ spot, literally. Sitting to someone’s right has all the inferred connotations, but it is also less threatening. Also, most people are right-handed and subconsciously favor things on that side.
2. Stuck in the middle. While this can be less than ideal when you’re on a plane, sitting in the middle at a conference table is very advantageous. While we all know that sitting at the head of the table facing the door is the most powerful position, sitting in the middle is the second. This position is ideal for you to showcase your leadership skills by acting as a mediator. You can easily engage with both ends of the table and visually bring ideas and conversation together. Being surrounded by others makes this position feel comfortable, possibly explaining why these seats tend to ask most of the questions and drive the discussion.
3. Opt for round tables. Unless you are trying to convey power and hierarchy, round tables are better for collaborating because there is no clear head of the table. Instead everyone feels on equal footing, and empowered to participate. Plus, you can clearly see everyone sitting at a round table.
4. Avoid rows. We’ve all been in classes or presentations where the seats have been arranged in rows, so we know the difficulty of engaging the people sitting on the sides or in the back. This is also less than ideal for the presenter because they end up only talking to and interacting with the people at the front of the room. If possible, rearrange the room into the shape of a horseshoe. That way the presenter can stand in the middle and more effectively engage with everyone.
It’s amazing how we still carry over thoughts and ideas from lifetimes ago, but this is proof positive. We trust people sitting to our right more than our left. We tend to sit at the head of the table when we want to convey our power and authority, and gravitate to round tables when we want collaboration. Look around the room in your next meeting and see if you can pick up on any of these insights. Or you can try them out yourself and choose the seat that corresponds with your goal.
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I am always curious to hear from you and what you see in the workplace. Send your questions, comments and pet peeves to [email protected]. Also find each of these storyboards at http://brianmaynor.polyvore.com with links to purchase each item.
About Brian Maynor
Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.
