As you begin to read this article, I am inviting you to uncross your arms and legs, if they are crossed. No, it’s not because I think you are being defensive. I’ll tell you why I’m inviting you to do this, at the end of the article (resist the temptation to jump there, now). As I recently led a 4-day leadership workshop, one participant demonstrated strong body language. She sat with her arms, legs and ankles crossed for the entire first two days. She didn’t smile although she did participate in all of the activities we invited the participants to do. On day 3, my curiosity got the best of me and I said, “Are you finding value in this workshop?” She said, “Oh yes. This is the best workshop I’ve been too. In fact it’s already been life changing in both my personal and work life.”
I said, “Oh that surprises me. I thought by your crossed arms and legs that you didn’t like it.” She said, “I always sit like that. If I didn’t like it, I would have got up and walked out.” Go figure. There’s a lot to body language that most people don’t know. As a leader it’s important to understand your own body language because others are constantly assessing it (and usually incorrectly).
A good mood means they can bring up an issue or concern. A bad mood means, avoid at all costs. How can you positively broadcast that you want to collaborate?
Remember if you don’t tune in to the other person with your body language, they will interpret it as disinterest. You cannot create a respectful work environment if you are broadcasting ‘disinterest’ with your body language. At the beginning of the article I asked you to uncross you arms, legs and ankles, remember? Research says people who sit with their arms and legs uncrossed remember 38% more than those who don’t. The research is when listening to a lecture but I’m hoping it works when reading an article too! While broadcasting positively is important, there are additional strategies required to create an engaged and respectful work environment. If you want sustainable strategies that work, then I invite you to contact me for a Free 20 minute phone call. Click Here to Contact Me for your free call.
See how you can create an even better workplace.
Barb
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