The opinions expressed by (*5*) authors are their very own.
Most people think that reading body language is so simple as looking at a smile, a twitch of an eye, or the raise of an eyebrow. They know from experience that observing a gesture or movement can assist them accurately assess the intentions of the decision-maker sitting across the table in the conference room. That’s what they teach us, right?
Actually, that is bad.
Imagine an essential investor or partner meeting. At the head of the table sits Mrs. Johnson, a potential partner whose alliance could take your organization to latest heights. As you present your proposal, she briefly touches her necklace. You assume it’s a sign of doubt. However, her posture stays upright, her gaze is unbroken, and her lips are pursed in contemplation – all of which indicate that she is very determined and has a strong opinion.
This mosaic of gestures – the touch of the necklace, a calm look, a composed posture – is the essence of concentration in body language. Focusing on a single gesture could result in misinterpretation and subsequently an incorrect presentation or negotiation strategy. However, understanding the collective message of these signals provides invaluable insight into Ms. Johnson’s pondering. Body language “clusters” are essential in business communication.
Single gestures – taken out of context – will be misleading. However, when multiple nonverbal gestures come together concurrently or in quick succession (and the timeframe in which they occur makes a difference), they reveal a more comprehensive narrative about a person’s internal dialogue, decision-making, or feelings.
For an entrepreneur seeking to grow their business, this diverse understanding will be the difference between entering into a partnership or walking away from a missed opportunity.
Let’s look at ways to read body language in a group to higher understand what someone is pondering or feeling. These insights come from my multi-faceted profession spanning over 35 years, spent 1000’s of hours in meetings, observing presentations, and presentations.
1. Holistic commentary
Instead of focusing on a single gesture, try to know the person’s overall behavior. If a colleague looks away but maintains an open posture, his or her distraction could also be external fairly than a reflection of the discussion. Your job is to look beyond the individual gesture and see what else is going on with that person (or group of individuals). Is the gesture isolated? This is rarely the case. But this one tip could also be the most blatant, so your attention is focused on it. You must approach your observations more holistically and try to find other signals that are reaching you.
2. Situational context
A clenched fist in a relaxed atmosphere is very different from the same gesture during a heated discussion in a conference room – it could indicate anger. However, one other one may indicate impatience or a desire to interfere. Always adapt your reading to the environment and understand any other circumstances influencing behavior. The gesture is not isolated from other gestures, but it is also not isolated from the surroundings and the ongoing conversation. When determining what cues mean, make sure you calibrate all of these elements.
3. Set a baseline
Recognizing people’s usual behavior. The gestures of a naturally animated person may not carry the same weight as those of a reserved person. Try to identify deviations from their norm (as best you possibly can if you’ve got just met someone), because these are often where the most crucial messages lie. You can do this at the starting of the meeting, during the chatting phase. Try to force yourself to note someone’s behavior when the topic is different from the topic of the meeting. This gives you insight into their basic behavior and attitude.
4. Distinguish emotions from cognition
Body language clusters can illuminate each feelings and thoughts. Crossed arms and furrowed brows can indicate physical discomfort. However, simply crossing your arms and nodding your head could signal agreement despite possible reservations. Your job is to watch the person (or people) and then attempt to detect whether the signal they are sending is an emotional response to something that has just been said or whether it is the results of a triggered thought. Knowing which one drives your body language cues will allow you to resolve how you can turn your presentation to your advantage. The only option to learn is to silently ask yourself, “Are they reacting emotionally or logically?” during meetings. Just mindful awareness will allow you to figure it out higher and higher.
5. Engage in purposeful commentary
Take time in your interactions just to watch. During your next essential meeting, take a few short moments to review your sets of nonverbal cues. This deliberate practice will allow you to refine your skills, ensuring they turn out to be second nature when it matters most. You may even practice this every day – in a cafe or food market. Observation is a skill that may only be honed if you give it the care it needs and deserves.
For the seasoned entrepreneur, nonverbal communication is stuffed with insights that may change the way you approach negotiations and presentations. Body language clusters are one of the high-level tools that transform fleeting observations into a deeper understanding of human behavior and decision-making processes.
When preparing for key meetings and business interactions, keep in mind that while a single gesture can provide insight into someone’s mind, clusters reveal the full narrative. It is in these patterns that the true essence of communication and successful outcomes lie. Consider and practice the concepts above to arrange for the first steps needed to note clusters, and then allow each interaction to be a testament to the mastery you are developing.