151 Quick Ideas to Improve Your People Skills

133

Watch Your Body Language—It Speaks Volumes

Not only do your words and voice speak volumes in a disagreement, but so do your body language and tone. In fact, these are usually more damaging than the words you use—we forget that more than 80 percent of our communication with others is nonverbal.

Assignment

Ask a trusted colleague to watch your body language when you interact with someone with whom you’re having tension, and ask him to give you feedback on what that body language is saying.

That’s right! The vast majority of what you say never comes out of your mouth, but it’s on display for all to see. For example, if you start to doodle on your notepad while someone is talking, you send the clear message that you don’t value what that person ...