How to interpret nonverbal cues

- Having a basic knowledge of non-verbal cues can definitely help you in the workplace. Does your boss actually like your idea or is she just giving it lip service? Does your new acquaintance at the networking reception want to keep talking with you or is he trying to get away? Non-verbal cues don't reveal everything, of course. They're one piece of data among many and it bears mentioning that if you're neuro-diverse, they may be harder to pick up on at times. But as long as you take non-verbal expressions as hints or pieces of information rather than the whole story, they can form useful nuggets you can compare against other sources to help inform you. Here are a few things to keep in mind. First, take a look at whether their body language is open or closed. If they're closed off, they may have their arms crossed or they're otherwise protecting their body. If they're open, their arms are free, their torso is exposed and that's a sign of comfort and trust, just like it is for dogs or cats that let you rub their bellies. Now, a closed body posture could mean a number of things. Number one, most innocuously, it could mean they're cold. So if the heat's broken in your office, don't worry if your colleagues start doing this, but it could also mean they're feeling nervousness or hostility towards you in some way. Again, you have to compare it with other data, but it's worth noticing. Second, take a look at where your colleagues' feet are pointed. This is a subtle tell, but really useful in situations like parties or networking events. People's feet will usually point in the direction they want to be headed. So even if upper body is pointed toward you, if their feet are headed out the door, they're not far behind. That's where their body is telling them they should go. Try to take note and respectfully wind down the conversation. Even if they're not consciously aware they want to be out of there, their subconscious will be grateful to you for not detaining them. Now, if you're communicating digitally, there's a little less information to go on. You're generally not seeing the person's full body, but maybe just the chest up. But there are a lot of non-verbal cues that we display on our face. One thing to watch for is mismatched expressions. If someone's smiling, but the corners of their eyes aren't crinkling, it may be a proforma smile , one they don't really mean. It's sometimes hard to tell for sure, but it's one piece of information you can take in context. Another thing to be mindful of is subtle expressions of contempt. We all know what this looks like if you've ever been or been in possession of a teenager. Rolled eyes, smirking or the like. Adults generally aren't so obvious about it. But if you see quick flashes of those behaviors, that's what psychologists call leakage because people are generally trying to contain it, but it leaks out. Put on your observer hat and if you notice something, even a quick moment, it could be extremely informative. Non-verbal expressions are subtle, but powerful. Learning to recognize and master them can help you understand far better where you really stand with your colleagues and clients. So next time, before you head into a meeting or pick up the phone, or join a video call, slow down and ground yourself so you can pay attention and make the conscious decision to really see the person in front of you. Notice the tone of their voice and their expression in addition to the words they're using because careful attention will tell you a lot about what they might be thinking or feeling, and it can help you see the most effective way to steer the conversation.