How can you help team members read nonverbal cues in communication?

The research is consistent: the value of consciously analyzing body language is grossly overrated. There's a reason nobody has ever created a "Body Language Rosetta Stone." Nonverbal cues are complex, context dependent, and idiosyncratic. If you want to focus on something, skip body language and laser focus on their speech. When we can hear someone but not see them, empathic ability declines only about 4 percent. When we can see someone but not hear them, the drop-off is a whopping 54 percent. Pay less attention to whether they cross their legs and more attention to when their voice changes.

As an executive coach, I train team members to read nonverbal cues by increasing their awareness and observation skills. We practice interpreting body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice in different scenarios. I use role-playing exercises to illustrate how nonverbal cues can alter a message's perception. We also discuss the cultural variations in nonverbal communication to enhance understanding and empathy in diverse teams.

Observe and use empathy. When working with a group of people, always assume that someone has a problem that he or she doesn't want to verbalise. Always assume that people are doing their best. If someone is typing on an iPhone during a meeting, don't assume that person is posting on Facebook or sending a trivial email. Maybe the conversation is about caring for a disabled person or a loved one in intensive care... When you ask: "How are you?", mean it! Listen and look for signs that the person is hesitant to share a real concern.

Helping teammates read non verbal communication is even more important than ever. My mentor speaks about having a decoder ring to pick up on things that may not be clearly spelled out. Understanding when patterns or behaviors have changed or seem foreign to you to be able to pick up on the context clues. Being curious enough to ask the tough questions and observing the climate around you and know when there is positive or negative energy present.

You shouldn't have to. When people are genuine, it's obvious. So hey people - why don't we just bring our authenticity to others so they don't have to figure out if we're playing games.

As an executive coach, I train team members to read nonverbal cues by increasing their awareness and observation skills. We practice interpreting body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice in different scenarios. I use role-playing exercises to illustrate how nonverbal cues can alter a message's perception. We also discuss the cultural variations in nonverbal communication to enhance understanding and empathy in diverse teams.

Another good place to practice is within your family. My husband and I speak with our 5 yr old often about how what she says comes across. I’ve found that in being more vocal about her body language, I’ve become more cognizant of mine.

Practice makes Perfect ! I totally agree that role playing brings a good skills for the team, and the higher value comes when you put them in a real-life situation (similar to what they have trained for) and monitor their progress/interactions even with unexpected scenarios.

As a person that should serve and train my team, I often ask them when entering a supermarket : "what do you see"? Then we compare among group members what each of us has observed. It is a stimulating practice.

Share information about common nonverbal cues such as facial expressions, body language, gestures, eye contact, and tone of voice. Provide examples and explain how these cues can convey emotions or attitudes.

In my past experience, what I've found helpful is to get to know the person in the conversation, prior to making judgement of non-verbal cues...

As (often) the most senior member in the room, I make sure I am the last one to speak so that everyone gets to share his/her true opinion. I also encourage everyone on what they just said so that they have no cues about what I agree with. This allow diversity and deeper discussion about the facts and the search for a real solution.

One consequence of not being adept at reading nonverbal cues is the build up of resentment over time, creating barriers to any subsequent attempts at explanation or apology. Interpersonal relationships are important, as they leave room for the benefit of the doubt and the opportunity for feedback and clarification.

I like to listen to everyone’s perspective of whatever is going on. Whether it’s a problem or a new idea. How they present it and their way of conveying it with language l, body language and interpretation is very important. Helps me under how to communicate effectively.

For myself, I've had to learn to manage my hand gestures, as I know that certain gestures may be more acceptable than others. I am always conscious of how I'm using my hands when presenting, so it is something that everyone can learn to be more comfortable with.

This is the most powerful statement in the post: "Reading nonverbal cues is not a fixed or innate skill, but a dynamic and evolving one" Let this be a reminder that we must always focus on and prioritize our learning and development to ensure we are growing with our people not behind them.

Always be learning. This phrase can be applied to improving nonverbal communication. Having the mindset of “always be learning” has helped me in my professional career over 24 years. For example, as leaders, you’ll often give a vision, a direction, or both. Anytime you provide a vision/direction, pay particular attention to the nonverbal cues from Team Members. Through consistent practice, I find that I pick up on when a vision isn’t clear; or, there is a skepticism about a vision/direction that can be better refined by openly communicating & receiving feedback from your team.

Everyday I learn new ways to listen and communicate to others through observing what they say, do and how their reactions are to whatever is being discussed

Don’t be a d*ck. And learn how to receive feedback with the intention of being a better giver of feedback. Self awareness is a proactive, continuous exercise and communication is a skill that improves every area of your life, not just work. Be the best at getting better.

Every situation is different and adopting is key to stay on top. Observing others and learning from others has been my mantra for transition to new roles and cultures. In countries where you are not well versed with the local language, non verbal communication becomes such an important aspect for Adaptation.

As a neurodivergent leader, I think it is an important topic to highlight! Some people, including myself, struggle with social cues and sometimes social skills. Sometimes we interpret or express ourselves differently than expected and that can throw off others. For that reason, I think the best investment we can make in a team is to grow to a point of vulnerability with each other so that we can comfortably understand each other, rely on people for their strengths and also be able to call out weaknesses or make observations. For example, I’m naturally very open and honest. However, I’ve had to work on my delivery and building rapport to avoid coming across as blunt.

Nonverbal cues don't always have the same meaning across cultures. For this reason, it's important to ask clarifying questions rather than assuming you know what a person from another culture is communicating.

One way that I found very useful in the past is having a meeting after the meeting to discuss what went well and what could have gone better. In such a meeting you can discuss nonverbal queues that were picked and those that weren't, and agree on what could be done in the future to facilitate this. Always consider the meeting after the meeting as as a learning and coaching opportunity, and make sure the team understand it as that.

It is critical to make a safe space so your team is open to learn and improve, as well as to connect and bond with each other.

For me I always introduce Acronyms to my teams and in my training’s To Aid your team in reading non-verbal cues with the acronym "HINT": 1. Hone:Sharpen your observation skills to pick up subtle cues. 2. Interpret:Understand the context and meaning behind non-verbal signals. 3. Notice:Pay close attention to gestures, expressions, and body language. 4.Tune In:Be attuned to the emotional atmosphere in the environment.