Leadership isn’t just about the content of your communication but also about how you convey it. Non-verbal cues—such as your body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions—play a crucial role in how your messages are received. If your non-verbal embodiment contradicts your spoken words, it creates mixed messages and confusion.
For example, if you invite feedback in a meeting but your embodiment seems tense, your eyebrows are furrowed and your arms are crossed across your chest, your team may sense a wall rather than an invitation to share. If only they knew that your furrowed face & pensively crossed arms are just how you look when you’re “thinking”?
Being mindful of how you move, stand, sit and communicate can help ensure that your non-verbal cues are in harmony with the verbal messages you intended.
10 mins Self-Awareness experiment:
If you’re feeling brave, and ready for a little truth serum, here’s an idea for you to try out with a trusted friend or colleague. Follow these 3 steps to get some invaluable feedback about how aligned & embodied you are coming across to others.
1. Choose a Specific Focus: Select one specific issue, theme, or person you would like to talk about. It could be a project that’s giving you gray hairs or a colleague who seems to think “feedback” is a four-letter word. The more contentious it is, the more your reactivity will silently surface.
2. Speak Openly: Discuss the chosen topic openly, covering the good, the bad, and the ugly aspects of it. Be candid about your thoughts and feelings. This can be a monologue or a full on conversation. (Note that’s its harder for your friend to just observe if they are participating).
3. Invite Observation: Ask a trusted friend or colleague to observe your tone of voice, mannerisms & overall embodiment. Have them take note of your embodiment, including:
· Facial Expression: Are your expressions relaxed or tense?
· Tone of Voice: Is your tone fast, harsh, soft, or connected?
· Eye Contact: Is your gaze squinty, direct, intense, soft or avoidant?
· Posture: Are you leaning forward or back, standing tall or collapsed?
· Physical Tension: Are your shoulders tense, your fists clenched, or your jaw tight?
4. Reflect: Use their feedback to understand where discrepancies lie between your verbal messages and non-verbal signals. This activity can shed some serious (not always flattering) light on how your automatic reactions show up in your physical body. Notice all the ways your body is speaking (shouting?) at the same time as your voice.
5. Adjust: Become more mindful in the moment and work to change your habitual patterns. This is by far the hardest part and getting a trained Embodiment Coach can help you laser in and speed up the process.
We all know that leadership is an ongoing journey of growth and adaptation that goes far beyond the bottom line. Aligning your words, actions, and non-verbal cues is crucial for effective leadership. By viewing yourself through a new lens and ensuring consistency across all forms of communication, you can enhance your credibility and build a stronger connection with your team. Remember, leadership is about more than just what you say—it’s about what you DO. Embodiment is about how you live out your values every day, with a little bit of flair and authenticity too.
If this topic interests you, reach out and book your first complimentary Jumpstart Session today. It’s far more powerful to experience it for yourself than to just read about it.
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