Body language cues are most accurate when a speaker is initially put on the spot. So ask candidates hard questions and watch closely
What makes interpreting the sincerity of all those election promises so darn challenging? All the prep time a candidate has gets in the way. Interpreting the nuances of non-verbal communication requires us to detect fleeting cues and they’re more accurate when an individual hasn’t had the luxury of polishing up their rebuttal. Body language cues…
A body language expert looks at Trudeau's latest apologies and analyzes their sincerity
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau seems to be paying attention to experts when they share what it takes to offer a sincere apology. I suppose he ought to – after all, he spent a term being that kind of leader: one who leans on apology to help boost his public image. I’m not saying this is…
The best educators could teach business leaders a thing or two about body language
The best educators could teach business leaders a thing or two about body language. Pygmalion in the Classroom, one of the most controversial publications in the history of educational research, showed how a teacher’s expectations can motivate student achievement. This classic study gave prospective teachers a list of students who had been identified as “high…
If you don’t look like you’re telling the truth, it won’t matter that you actually are
I once spoke to MBA students at the Stanford Graduate School of Business as part of a wonderful program called the Mastery in Communication Initiative. In its expert speakers’ series, Stanford invites “pioneers in the field of communication” to share their insights with business students. In my presentation, on “How to Spot Liars at Work…
The most successful people realize that there are always two conversations going on; so stay equally alert to what isn't being said
You may have "sales" in your job title. But if you are a leader announcing an organizational change, an entrepreneur pitching to a venture capitalist, or an employee on a job interview – you too are in sales. And in any situation where you are selling a product, a service, or an idea, engagement and…
In business interactions, first impressions are crucial
Body language can be your greatest career asset. Here are 10 simple and powerful tips to help you have a super successful year: 1) To make a great first impression, begin before you enter the room. In business interactions, first impressions are crucial. Once someone mentally labels you as “likeable” or “untrustworthy, “powerful” or “ineffectual,”…
Women may be the champions of warmth and empathy, but fall prey to these 10 common traps
A female executive was having problems dealing with her male colleagues. "They like me, but they never take me seriously," she complained. "It's as if they think I'm flirting with them. Which I definitely am not!" After watching her interact with various men on the senior management team, I saw the problem. She was trying…
If you really want to build a collaborative team, make sure you look like you do!
He had assembled a multi-level, multi-functional group – a diagonal slice of 30 people from across the organization – and had taken them off-site for two days to co-create the necessary steps for achieving the company’s new strategic plan. The hope was that collaboration and knowledge sharing would begin at this meeting and expand from…
Leaders can sabotage a great presentation if they underestimate the power of body language
Once upon a time a group of rising-star executives gathered at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to take part in a special competitive event. Each was to present a business plan to be evaluated by the entire group. The best ideas would then be recommended to a team of venture capitalists for final evaluation.…
You have only seven seconds to make a first impression, so make the most of them
You've spent hours crafting the perfect resume. The format is eye-catching and the wording is practically perfect. But you'll need much more than a well-crafted resume if you want to land your first job! You have only seven seconds to make a first impression, and once the interviewer has labelled you as submissive or confident, credible…
What makes interpreting the sincerity of all those election promises so darn challenging? All the prep time a candidate has gets in the way. Interpreting the nuances of non-verbal communication requires us to detect fleeting cues and they’re more accurate when an individual hasn’t had the luxury of polishing up their rebuttal. Body language cues…
