Geard Egan SOLER Theory, What Does It Mean?

SOLER stands for Sitting Squarely, Open posture, Lean in, Eye contact, Relaxed atmosphere.

In the event of communicating with others in a professional but friendly and approachable way:
Face the client SQUARELY
Adopt an OPEN posture
LEAN toward
Maintain EYE contact
Be RELAXED and natural
=SOLER
(Egan.G, 2007, The skilled helper:75-79)

SOLER means:
S- face squarely Adapt a bodily position that indicates involvement with the client. A desk between you may create a psychological barrier between you that is not advised. It is important that you convey the message that you are involved with the client. If the square positioning is too threatening then a more angular position may be suitable. The point is the quality of your attention.

O- Open posture Crossed arms and legs can be seen as not willing to involve yourself with the client and that you aren't availability to talk. Open posture suggests that you wan to know what the client has to say and that you are involved in their needs.

L- Lean People should lean towards the client to show they involved with the conversation. The client should see this as you being interested in them and you being with them.

E- Eye contact Eye contact with the client shows you are interested in them, steady eye contact is seen as being in deep conversation within a North American cultural context.

R- Be relaxed Egan feels that it is important not to fidget and to be comfortable and relaxed with non verbal behaviour. If you do these things the client may begin to wonder if they are making you nervous. Being relaxed makes you more comfortable with using your body as a vehicle of personal contact.