Why the big emphasis on body language now when we’re working more virtually, often wearing sweats, and clicking and texting away?

In her new book, The Silent Language of Leaders, author Carol Kinsey Goman persuasively explains how body language can help—or hurt—how you lead today. And just as convincingly, she paints a picture of how body language acumen is becoming an essential skill as our world becomes even more connected.

According to Carol, creating collaborative, networked teams that span corporate and national boundaries will be the only sure way to achieve future productivity gains.

This business approach requires leaders to rely more on their actions than their words. In particular, leaders’ actions need to show they “understand, support, and care about the people in their charge.”

To support collaboration, leaders must serve more as coaches and less as rulers. They need to be inclusive, transparent, and empathetic. That’s because “leadership becomes less about projecting power and more about building relationships.”

With leaders coaching on the front lines instead of giving edicts from corner offices, leaders will be more visible as well as available and accessible. As a result, employees will be able to watch their leaders’ cues more closely. They may see their leaders in person, on video, or through visual technology tools, such as Cisco’s TelePresence.

And during these interactions, people will note their leaders’ appearance, posture, gestures, facial expressions, eye contact, spatial relationships, and everything else that makes up the field of body language.

And because people read body language and other nonverbal communication instantly and subconsciously, they may make up their minds about your messages before you open your mouth. That’s one of the reasons why leaders need to learn how to match their body and verbal language as well as read the body language of others.

In her book, Carol explains how to use body language strategically to collaborate, negotiate, lead change, and work with global teams. She cites the neuroscience and other scientific research that shows the links between body language and leadership results.

This book either on its own or in combination with her earlier book, The Nonverbal Advantage: Secrets and Science of Body Language at Work makes a convincing case that this topic is worthy of study for anyone who strives to be a more effective leader.

Whether it’s a joyful topic is a totally different subject. I know that we’re in a visual revolution and people are expecting more visual contact. But I’ve never been all that comfortable on video.

And I have to confess when I’m around people who speak eloquently and possess extreme poise—such as Carol—my inclination is to feel intimidated. (And even though Carol—whom I know through IABC and The Communication Leadership Exchange (formerly Council of Communication Management, CCM)  —is very friendly and gracious regardless of the setting, I can’t let it out of my head that she’s an expert in body language and is watching me!!!)

So rather than improve my performance, I’d prefer to run off to the dog park and retreat to the company of dogs. Dogs could care less how people look and sound.

But then I realize the folly of my yearnings. Dogs are masters of reading body language and other signs. They often respond more to smiles, voice intonation, and hand gestures than they do words.

So I should take a deep breath and learn to master communicating better with body language. If I can build rapport with dogs and earn their trust, I should be able to do so with people…in person….or in video conferencing….not video yet though, please…..

How is your body language helping or hurting you?
Liz Guthridge, Connect Consulting Group

Are you nonverbally illiterate?

Don’t laugh, you read the question correctly. Are your words in sync with your body language? Were you aware that a person’s true strengths and weaknesses can be revealed by their body language? Carol Kinsey Goman, executive coach and management consultant, shares extensive research in her book, The Silent Language of Leaders – How Body Language Can Help – or Hurt – How You Lead and proves conclusively that nonverbal signals can make or break a leader’s success.

As a leader, you are always “on stage.” Employees watch as you walk around the office, they watch you in the lunch room, they watch the speed of your gait as you enter offices and close doors, and they watch you standing casually near open doors chit-chatting and issuing orders. Are you aware that people scrutinize your every movement? Perhaps, in an effort to become more aware of your behaviors and interactions, you should pretend that you are a Hollywood celebrity and your employees are members of the paparazzi. This may force you to think twice before shouting at an employee in front of others, before you cross your arms as you look at a group of employees, or before you look all over and avoid eye contact with people.

The concept of MBWA was introduced, which translates to management by walking around. Leaders: how often do you take time to walk around your office and talk to employees? Employees: how often do you encounter your president or other members of senior management walking around the office talking to people they pass in the hall? MBWA creates accessibility, which can be, and is, priceless to employees.

According to Goman, “When properly used, body language can be your key to greater success. It can help you develop positive business relationships, influence and motivate the people who report to you, improve productivity, bond with members of your team, present your ideas with more impact, work effectively in a multicultural world, and project your personal brand of charisma. It’s a ‘secret weapon’ that many great leaders have learned to use to their advantage. Now you can too!”

The reviewer: Debbie Laskey, MBA is a brand marketing and social media consultant to non-profits and start-ups. Follow her Blog (http://debbielaskey.blogspot.com) or on Twitter @DebbieLaskeyMBA.

“Carefully researched, elegantly written and enormously useful, this brilliant book finally unravels a pivotal aspect of leadership, long ignored: the mystery of how our body language can enhance or undermine our capacity to lead.”
Warren Bennis, Distinguished Professor of Business, University of Southern California
Author of Still Surprised: A Memoir of a Life in Leadership

"There are no words, literally, to express the importance of reading 'The Silent Language of Leaders' in today's competitive business environment. Carol Kinsey Goman offers invaluable insights and tips that espouse the true value of listening, not just with our ears, but with our eyes, helping us navigate and interpret the subtle body and facial cues that can mark the difference between success and failure. Don't talk, just click or walk into your nearest bookstore, and order it now."
Linda Kaplan, CEO and Robin Koval, President, Kaplan Thaler Group
Authors of New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller, The Power of Nice

"Great coaching for global leaders of the future!"
Marshall Goldsmith
New York Times best-selling author of MOJO and What Got You Here Won't Get You There

“This book is an outstanding resource to help managers at all levels become better communicators and leaders."
Shirley Gaufin, Chief Human Resources Officer, Black & Veatch Corporation

"The Silent Language of Leaders" is destined to become a classic in the field of nonverbal communication and business.”
David Givens, Ph.D., Director, Center for Nonverbal Studies
Author of Your Body at Work, Crime Signals, Love Signals, and The Nonverbal Dictionary

"Learn to align your verbal and non-verbal communication and you are on your way to becoming a better leader. The Silent Language of Leaders is the only book you need to bring yourself up to speed.”
Karen Tucker, CEO, Churchill Club 

“Carol Kinsey Goman has written an important book that is based on real life experience and not just theory. This is a book that must be read by leaders and those who aspire to lead.”
Robert Dilenschneider, Founder, The Dilenschneider Group
Author of Power and Influence: The Rules Have Changed

"Successful business executives understand and achieve higher levels of effectiveness when their words are in sync with their body language. Carol Kinsey Goman's new book showcases the important body language techniques needed to build trust in a rapidly changing world. Savvy executives will use her recommendations immediately to build stronger relationships, shape perceptions and get results."
Lee Hornick, Program Director, The Conference Board

"Whether it's in front of an individual or a large group communication is a key component of your leadership success. And a major aspect of that success is your body language. This silent method of communication can be deadly if you don't know the signals that you are sending. Carol Kinsey Goman provides a guidebook that can help you navigate this complex (or perhaps - subtle, overlooked, vital, challenging) aspect of leadership."
Jon Peters, President, The Institute for Management Studies

“Leadership is much more biological than we have realized. Carol has done a great job of outlining the biological impact that leaders have through their body language.“
David Rock
Author of Your Brain at Work

"People don't realize how their true strengths and weaknesses are revealed by their body language. Carol Kinsey Goman's observations and insights are unique."
Charles Lynch, Chairman, Market Value Partners