What you think, you communicate.
Leaders, when you interact with others please realize that most of your communication is non-verbal. Regardless of what you say, be mindful of what you are communicating.
What’s really on your mind?
When leaders say one thing but think another, what they communicate may be much different than what they intend. Even when leaders say nothing, their facial expressions and body language may be clearly indicating what’s really on their mind. Think of when a simple look across the table quietly signaled to your associate what was on your mind. Rarely however is it good for leaders to get their words, thoughts, and expressions out of sync.
Mehrabian’s Math.
Albert Mehrabian, author and UCLA Psychology Professor Emeritus, wrote about numerous aspects of communication in his book Silent Messages . One often quoted aspect is that of inconsistent communications — the relative importance of verbal and nonverbal messages. The book discusses how communication related to feelings and attitudes can be perceived as inconsistent if nonverbal cues differ from spoken words. Specifically, messaging related to approval or “liking” is mostly nonverbal:
Total Messaging = 7% Verbal + 38% Vocal + 55% Facial
What’s a leader to do?
One simple solution to the nonverbal dilemma is to first check your thoughts and attitudes about whatever and whoever you choose to engage. If you have strong feelings, good or bad, about a situation or person, it’s likely they will be revealed in your voice and expressions. If instead, you temper the feelings and emotions in your head, you can then engage with others with significantly less complexity, anxiety, and the added burden of strong nonverbal messaging.
It’s written on your face.
Some leaders believe that by carefully choosing their words, or staying silent, they are masking their true feelings of disapproval, skepticism, frustration, mistrust, or anger. In reality however, their face may be screaming something entirely different.
Rob Marchalonis (Rob@LSP123.com) helps business owners and leaders increase employee productivity and morale with various leadership, strategy, and process solutions. Email, or message Rob on LinkedIn.
More Business Advice
Business owners, employers, and leaders can sharpen their skills with the content below.
Launch Productive Employee One-to-One Meetings
"One-to-Ones Could Be Your Most Productive Activity as a Leader" by Rob Marchalonis. The benefits of one-to-one meetings with employees are numerous, but many leaders aren't sure how to begin or the best way to structure these engagements. As a result, they can be...
Who is Flying Your Plane?
Do You Need Pilots or a Flight Instructor? by Rob Marchalonis. Business owners, are you flying with "experienced pilots"? Not in the air, but rather on the ground in your business. Are your top leaders, those who are "piloting" the key functions of your organization,...
Scale Up Talent
12 Talent Options for Business Leaders By Rob Marchalonis. Business leaders, what talent do you need to tackle your current challenge or project? Do you have the talent in-house? If not, what's your plan? If you are thinking about hiring a person full-time, hold on!...
Are Smartphones at Work Smart?
by Rob Marchalonis. When I work with business owners and leaders to improve employee productivity, the topic of smartphone use often comes up. What to do about these pocket-sized devices that were a non-issue just a decade or so ago? Used to be that only the...
12 Steps to Launch Your Leadership
A-Team Advice for “Young” Leaders by Rob Marchalonis. Are you a young leader? Regardless of your age, have you recently accepted a new leadership role? Perhaps you’ve done well in a job and were moved into a different position with more responsibility. Did someone...
Three Legs of Leadership
By Rob Marchalonis. As I work with top leaders, I find that their role is often different than what others may think. Which of the "three legs of leadership" are you experiencing right now? Perks From the outside, it may look like being the leader is quite glamorous...
C-Suite Time Management
Virtually every C-level executive that I work with suffers from a critical shortage of one precious resource - time! Nothing they can do will produce any more of it in a given week. The only solution is to manage the time they have available very deliberately and...
The Role of Leaders
Great leaders develop smart strategy, establish processes for they're workgroup, and then use their wisdom, experience, and authority to deal with exceptions.Read for More Business Advice Whether you're a C-level leader, entrepreneur or looking to sharpen your...
Congratulations to AL and LSP!
I'm admittedly not the biggest Alabama or even sports fan, but I'm continually amazed at the display of world-class LSP in televised football. Live, up close, HD, plus slow-motion replay and analysis. Leadership, Strategy, & Process in 1-2-3 order is a simple...
Who’s In Your Trusted Inner Circle?
"You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with." Jim RohnRead for More Business Advice Whether you're a C-level leader, entrepreneur or looking to sharpen your leadership skills, the content below will help you level-up your business leadership....