Secrets and science of body language at work; The Silent Language of Leadership -

Every research report on employee communications presents one consistent conclusion: Face-to-face communications is the employee's medium of choice.

A large (and largely unexplored) part of a leader's effectiveness as a communicator is determined by the nonverbal cues he or she sends and receives. Knowing how to read these cues in an audience - and making sure that manages' verbal and nonverbal messages are congruent - is a key skills for leaders at all levels of the organization.

The growing need for high touch in a high tech world.

We are surrounded by technology that allows us to instantaneously interact with our colleagues and customers around the world. But just because we can, doesn't mean we should. If a leader is going to talk about new initiatives, major change, strategic opportunities, or if a first-line supervisor has to deliver bad news, the most effective strategy is to do so face to face. Likewise, any team (even one that is geographically dispersed), gains an advantage if it can have an initial an in-person meeting.

This is because in face-to-face encounters, our brains process a continual cascade of nonverbal cues that we use as the basis for building trust and professional intimacy - both of which are critical to high-level collaboration, negotiation, persuasion, and communication. But, leaders don't only need to meet in person, they need to know how to optimize those meetings by understanding the power of those nonverbal signals that are being sent and received.

Face-to-face is going virtual.

For a long time business professionals have hidden behind technology. After all, who cares about body language when text messaging, or sending an email, or talking over the telephone, or (until recently) during a teleconference?

But now, Cisco Systems is one of several companies working on products that make the virtual experience almost the same as a face-to-face interaction. Cisco's TelePresence Meeting uses a "life-size" high-definition video (which allows participant to make eye contact and to see body language and facial expressions) and directional sound technology that makes voices seem to come from where a user is located at the remote site. Now that our bodies are being "exposed," we'd better know learn how to get the best results from this "virtual face to face" experience.

Globalization.

In the high stakes world of international business, body language often speaks for itself. Unfortunately, much of the meaning may be lost in translation. The most innocuous of gestures - when misinterpreted - can wreak havoc on business dealings.

Today, everyone is part of the global marketplace and business professionals may be required to deal with their counterparts in other countries or lead a multicultural team. Understanding the nonverbal nuances of cross-cultural communication will be increasingly critical.

It's also interesting to note that not all nonverbal communication differs by culture.  Research shows there are six expressions that are universally recognized and understood: happiness, sadness, fear, anger, surprise, and contempt/disgust. From the jungles of Papua New Guinea to the jam-packed streets of New York City, wherever you go in the world, everyone will share and recognize these facial gestures - and relate to the emotions they portray.

Science continues to validate nonverbal communication.

Evidence from psychology, neurobiology, medicine, sociology, criminology, anthropology, and communication studies has given nonverbal communication scientific credence. And one of the findings from evolutionary psychology is that our brains are "hard-wired" to respond to nonverbal signals - but most of us aren't consciously aware of the process.

Carol Kinsey Goman, Ph.D., is a consultant, author and keynote speaker who addresses association, government, and business audiences around the world. Her latest book, THE NONVERBAL ADVANTAGE: Secrets and Science of Body Language at Work, will be published by Berrett-Koehler in the spring of 2008.  For more information, contact Carol by phone: 510-526-1727, email: CGoman@CKG.com, or through her website: www.CKG.com