Body Language of Splayed Feet or Feet Pointed Outward
Cue: Splayed Feet or Feet Pointed Outward.
Synonym(s): Feet Pointed Outward, Duck Feet.
Description: While standing, the toes are pointed or splayed outward away from each other.
In One Sentence: Splayed feet are a dominance indicator.
How To Use it: When trying to appear dominant rather than submissive, splay the feet outward rather than inward. This helps to create a larger expansive profile. This is effective in business as well as any other position where having a high rank is beneficial or desired.
Context: General
Verbal Translation: “When I point my toes outward or splay them, I’m expanding my profile to appear more dominant and authoritative.”
Variant: See Pigeon toes or Tibial Torsion.
Cue In Action: He positioned his arms behind his back, chin up, chest puffed out, his feet splayed. They knew the principle of the school meant business.
Meaning and/or Motivation: Usually the feet of the military man are splayed outward to take up more space and dominance, which is opposite to tibial torsion when the toes point inward to signal submission. When the feet are turned outward, they indicate that a person is upset, being threatened or is threatening others.
Cue Cluster: Coupled with splayed feet are other dominant cues such as shoulders back, head up and chin out, chest puffed out, and arms crossed or behind the back.
Body Language Category: Amplifier, Arrogance or arrogant body language, Aggressive body language, Authoritative body language, Dominant body language, Expansive movements.
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