By Communication Consultant Julia Mancuso (Finance, ’24)
You may have heard the advice that, when one is working to help an individual, it is important to “Get on their level.” One important strategy for getting on the same level is to sit next to one another, elbow-to-elbow, a strategy we use in the Rauch Center. When one is directly on the level of those who they are assisting, in both a literal and figurative sense, studies show a higher success rate. In Maximize The Impact of Seating Formations, research has shown that the location of where you are seated compared to that of your counterpart can enhance collaboration. Sitting next to one another in a corner-like position decreases “territorial division” and increases a sense of cooperation among both individuals.
The psychological perspective of getting on the same level can play a role in emotional or academic support. At the Rauch Center for Business Communication, student tutors are ready and available to assist students in business core classes. Through a multifaceted approach, RCBC tutors help with assignments ranging from professional emails to end-of-semester papers. As a team, we focus on both the assignment as a whole and the specific editing strategies we can teach students. With an individualized approach on the same level with our users, RCBC tutors provide guidance and a learning experience that improves students’ writing.
A tutor sitting next to the individual whom they are assisting is associated with a greater learning experience. At a rounded table in the RCBC, students are encouraged to ask questions and learn new writing strategies. Whether it be through a dynamic conversation or collaborative editing, RCBC tutors provide assistance to students every step of the way.
Join us at the Rauch Center for Business Communication for in-person or virtual help today! Find us on the third floor of the Rauch Building. For more information regarding our services and hours of operation, follow this link:
https://business.lehigh.edu/centers/philip-rauch-center-for-business-communication!
Get information and resources about our center at The Philip Rauch Center for Business Communication.
Parts of this article were adapted from the following sources:
https://westsidetoastmasters.com/resources/book_of_body_language/chap17.html