What are the most important nonverbal cues to focus on in an Executive Coach interview?

1 Body language

Your body language can convey confidence, openness, and interest, or it can signal insecurity, defensiveness, and boredom. To project a confident and professional image, you should adopt a posture that is upright, relaxed, and balanced. Avoid slouching, crossing your arms, or fidgeting, as these can indicate nervousness or lack of engagement. To show openness and interest, you should lean slightly forward, nod occasionally, and mirror your client's gestures and expressions. Avoid leaning back, turning away, or invading your client's personal space, as these can indicate arrogance, disinterest, or aggression.

2 Facial expressions

Your facial expressions can reveal your emotions, attitudes, and reactions, or they can mask them. To express genuine and positive emotions, you should smile warmly, raise your eyebrows, and relax your forehead and jaw. Avoid frowning, furrowing your brows, or tensing your lips, as these can indicate anger, confusion, or displeasure. To show empathy and understanding, you should match your client's facial expressions and emotions, but not exaggerate or mimic them. Avoid showing incongruent or inappropriate expressions, such as smiling when your client is sad or angry, or looking bored when your client is excited or passionate.

3 Eye contact

Your eye contact can establish trust, respect, and rapport, or it can break them. To maintain a trusting and respectful relationship, you should make eye contact with your client for about 60-70% of the time, and look away briefly when you are thinking or listening. Avoid staring, blinking excessively, or looking around, as these can indicate dishonesty, nervousness, or distraction. To build rapport and connection, you should use eye contact to signal when you are speaking or listening, and when you are inviting or giving feedback. Avoid interrupting, ignoring, or avoiding your client's eye contact, as these can indicate impatience, rudeness, or disconnection.

4 Voice tone

Your voice tone can convey your enthusiasm, interest, and confidence, or it can convey your boredom, indifference, or insecurity. To communicate your enthusiasm and interest, you should use a voice tone that is varied, expressive, and clear. Avoid using a voice tone that is monotone, dull, or muffled, as these can indicate boredom, indifference, or lack of clarity. To communicate your confidence and credibility, you should use a voice tone that is moderate, assertive, and calm. Avoid using a voice tone that is too high, low, loud, or soft, as these can indicate insecurity, aggression, or fear.