What do you do if your nonverbal cues are hindering your leadership effectiveness?

1 Assess your nonverbal cues

The first step to improve your nonverbal communication is to assess how you are currently using it in different situations and contexts. You can do this by asking for feedback from trusted colleagues, mentors, or coaches, or by recording yourself during a presentation, meeting, or conversation and reviewing it later. Look for any inconsistencies, contradictions, or distractions between your words and your body language, and how they affect your message and your relationship with your audience.

2 Align your nonverbal cues with your verbal message

The second step is to align your nonverbal cues with your verbal message, so that they reinforce and complement each other, rather than confuse or undermine them. For example, if you want to convey confidence, enthusiasm, and openness, you should use a firm handshake, a smile, eye contact, and an upright posture. If you want to show empathy, respect, and attentiveness, you should use a gentle touch, a nod, a lean forward, and a low-pitched voice. Avoid any nonverbal cues that can signal boredom, impatience, defensiveness, or aggression, such as crossing your arms, rolling your eyes, tapping your feet, or raising your voice.

3 Adapt your nonverbal cues to your audience and context

The third step is to adapt your nonverbal cues to your audience and context, so that they are appropriate and effective for the situation and the culture. For example, if you are leading a diverse team, you should be aware of the different meanings and preferences of nonverbal communication across cultures, and adjust your style accordingly. If you are speaking to a large group, you should use more expressive and expansive gestures, facial expressions, and vocal variations, to capture and maintain their attention. If you are having a one-on-one conversation, you should use more subtle and personal cues, such as mirroring, synchronizing, and matching, to build rapport and trust.

5 Monitor and adjust your nonverbal cues

The fifth step is to monitor and adjust your nonverbal cues, so that they are responsive and flexible to the changing dynamics and feedback of your communication. You can do this by paying attention to the nonverbal cues of your audience, such as their facial expressions, gestures, posture, and eye contact, and interpreting their emotions, attitudes, and interests. You can also use open-ended questions, paraphrasing, and summarizing, to check your understanding and clarify any misunderstandings. You can also modify your nonverbal cues, such as changing your pace, tone, or volume, to match the mood, energy, and expectations of your audience.

6 Use your nonverbal cues strategically

The sixth step is to use your nonverbal cues strategically, so that they enhance your leadership effectiveness and impact. You can do this by using nonverbal cues to emphasize, illustrate, or reinforce your key points, stories, or arguments. You can also use nonverbal cues to persuade, motivate, or inspire your audience, by appealing to their emotions, values, and needs. You can also use nonverbal cues to manage conflict, resolve problems, or negotiate solutions, by using assertive, cooperative, and respectful signals. You can also use nonverbal cues to create a positive and memorable impression, by using authentic, consistent, and confident signals.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?