Defensive position, rivalry position (B3)

With this arrangement, the opponents sit opposite each other. The table in this case serves as a barrier, which immediately creates a defensive atmosphere, an atmosphere of rivalry. When opponents sit on different sides of the table, everyone stands firm on his own, since the table is a powerful and insurmountable barrier.
In a business setting, 56% of respondents called this position defensive or rivalry position. However, in an informal setting, for example, in a restaurant, 35% of respondents called such accommodation friendly, inviting to a conversation. So most often lovers sit down on a date, however, most likely, this is happening at the initiative of the waiters, and not the customers themselves. However, this placement is quite suitable for a couple in love, because it provides good eye contact and at the same time unobtrusively emphasizes gender differences - partners sit on opposite sides of the table. In a business setting, their colleagues or boss and subordinate competing with each other sit in this way. This location on its own territory immediately allows you to establish the relationship "boss - subordinate".
Defensive position, rivalry position

WHY SOME CHIEFS DON'T LOVE SO?

We noticed that in a business setting, a defensive / rival position forces people to speak in shorter sentences. In addition, people remember worse and more prone to disputes.
A. G. White conducted an experiment. It turned out that the presence or absence of a table in a doctor's office has a significant impact on the patient's condition. Only 10% of patients could relax when the doctor was sitting at the table. In the absence of the table, 55% of patients felt comfortable. In 1990, we interviewed 224 senior managers and 127 middle and lower managers to find out how they would like to arrange furniture in their offices after the move. 76% of senior managers chose to set the table so that it separates them and subordinates. Only 50% of low-level managers would set the table this way, with men choosing this arrangement twice as often as women.
The most interesting thing was that subordinates preferred managers who did not place the table as a barrier. They were called more fair, more willing to listen to other people's ideas and not prone to favoritism.

Do not sit opposite each other in a business setting. This placement creates a tense atmosphere.

If Officer B wants to convince Officer A about something, the rival position greatly reduces the chances of successful negotiations, unless she has been chosen as part of a planned strategy. For example, if A is the boss who will have to report to a subordinate, the rival position will give additional weight to his words. On the other hand, if Officer B wants A to feel like a more powerful and powerful person, he can intentionally sit opposite.
Whatever business you do, if it is associated with communication with people, your task is to understand the point of view of another person, create a friendly atmosphere and generally like the other person. The rival position does not contribute to this. If you want to achieve mutual understanding and cooperation, choose the angular location or position of cooperation. In a rival position, conversations are usually much shorter, and the interlocutors rarely change their point of view.