Here is an insight I often tell our people leaders. One of the most powerful, yet the most troubling way you will relay a message to your people – without speaking a word – is by your facial expression.
If you are a senior leader and you have people reporting to you, you may not know the following, or you may have forgotten it once you started climbing the corporate ladder.
- When you are sitting there, minding your own business, your people are watching you closely.
- You might be in a meeting and listening carefully to what is being said, your people are still watching you, even more closely.
- You might be walking down the hall or entering the lift or going to the kitchen to get a glass of water and everyone who walks past you will be looking at your face. And your general demeanour.
So, bad news here, people leaders. What message or signal are you sending just by having that look on your face?
As a people leader (and you chose this, so this comes with the territory), you have a duty to ensure that your face and facial expressions do not inadvertently terrify those around you.
Managers, your facial expressions are like a beacon, a signal to the world about what is going on. And people will formulate a response (often incorrectly) based on what they see. And yes, this is hugely unfair that something as insidious as your moue gets scrutinised and signals are amplified – but that is what it is.
So how to solve this? Be in the moment and ensure your face is a neutral canvas of general interest and engagement with the people and the world around you. No matter how cranky or stressed or worried you are, do not let this show on your face – unless you want to convey one of Sun Tzu’s tactics.
And stay focused especially in meetings. This is when people are watching you with magnifiers – and this includes your peers. Every micro-emotion on your face will be discussed afterwards in the hallways.
So I’m sorry to remind you of this bad news folks. But go stand in front of the mirror and look at yourself carefully. Now think of 2-3 events from the last week that irritated, upset, worried you. See how your micro-expressions change?
There is no need to reveal everything to the people around you. So practice your poker face. Everyone around you will appreciate it.
#leadership #communication #presentation #executivepresence 