How to Use Nonverbal Communication for Leadership Presence

💡 The Pre-Meeting Emotional Check-In: A Game-Changer for Leaders 🧠 Neuroscience Insight: Ever walked into a high-stakes meeting feeling stressed, only to realize your tone or body language unintentionally set the wrong vibe? That’s because stress triggers a cortisol spike, increasing heart rate, shortening breath, and leading to emotional hijacking. But here’s the fix—preparing before the meeting can rewire the brain for composure and control. 🔄 A Quick Story: I once coached a leader preparing for a tough conversation with an underperforming employee. Their instinct? “I need to be firm. They need to hear the truth.” But their stress was hijacking their tone—coming off as harsh instead of constructive. ✅ The Shift: A Simple Pre-Meeting Check-In 🔹 Three Words to Embody: Calm, Encouraging, Solution-Oriented 🔹 Mirror Practice: Rehearse a balanced, supportive tone: 💬 “I appreciate your efforts and want to help you succeed. Let’s work on a plan together.” 🔥 The Outcome: Instead of shutting down, the employee engaged in the conversation. The leader communicated with clarity, respect, and vulnerability, turning a difficult discussion into a collaborative problem-solving session. 🚀 CRAVE Leadership in Action: ✔ Communication – Leading with intention and clarity. ✔ Respect – Treating team members as valued contributors. ✔ Vulnerability – Being open to difficult conversations with composure. ✨ Your Turn: Before your next meeting, try this: Write down three words that describe how you want to show up. How does it change your presence? Drop your three words in the comments—I’d love to hear them! ⬇️ #DrAmin #CRAVELeadership #NeuroLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #CommunicationSkills #ExecutivePresence #EmotionalIntelligence

You will continue to s*ck at leadership until you change this… …or at least that’s what I had to do. Ten years ago, when I was 33, I thought I was a great leader. I was not. I would run from meeting to meeting, half listening, half working on the thousand other priorities that demanded my attention. This mistake? I confused being physically present (or virtually on Zoom) with emotional presence. ...and it cost me. Team members felt left out and unheard and ultimately became frustrated. It hit me when I received a text message from a manager, “I know you’re busy, but could I just get 10 minutes of your time to make sure we’re on the same page.” …about the exact topic we had just had a meeting about. Presence is a superpower. Teams need more than your attendance. They need your focus. Your energy. Your understanding. Being emotionally present means looking people in the eye, listening to their concerns, and showing up with empathy and clarity. I used to think that because I showed up, I was doing enough. But really, I was checking a box and getting through my day. The minute I started genuinely being there, everything changed. Here are 5 simple hacks to be present for your team: 1️⃣ Check in Emotionally - Before the meeting, take a moment to assess your emotional state. If you're feeling stressed or distracted, acknowledge it internally to set it aside and be fully present for the team. 2️⃣ Engage in Eye Contact - Eye contact signals your team that you are engaged and care about what they say. It also helps to foster connection and make conversations more personal. 3️⃣ Reflect Back Key Points—Paraphrase what your team members say to ensure understanding. This not only shows that you are listening but also helps clarify and solidify key points in discussions. 4️⃣ Eliminate Distractions—Put away your phone, close unnecessary tabs on your computer, and silence notifications. Give your team your undivided attention and show them that their time and input matter. 5️⃣ Active Listening - Focus entirely on what’s being said without interrupting. Show that you’re engaged by nodding, maintaining eye contact, and asking clarifying questions. Once I became more present, productivity increased, trust deepened, and the team started solving problems without me. ❌ If you’re still ‘multitasking’ during meetings, it’s time to change. Lead with presence, not just proximity. This is the way. - Hanley p.s. if you enjoyed this post, repost and follow Ryan Hanley for ideas on how leaders Finish Big. #leadership #mindset

After negotiating billions in contracts, I’ve discovered a game-changing secret to success: the right body language often speaks louder than any proposal or argument. Ready to take your influence to the next level? Mastering body language could be your game-changer. We’ve all seen plenty of advice on using verbal communication to influence others, but how often do we focus on the power of body language? Nonverbal communication plays a critical role in influencing effectively—it conveys confidence, builds trust, and strengthens your message. How the industry leaders execute it: 1. Establish Open and Confident Posture Stand or sit up straight with shoulders relaxed and chest slightly forward. Avoid crossing your arms or legs, which can appear defensive or closed-off. 2. Make Intentional Eye Contact Maintain steady eye contact to show interest and confidence. Avoid staring; instead, balance eye contact with natural breaks to avoid discomfort. 3. Use Gestures to Reinforce Your Words Use purposeful hand movements to emphasize key points (e.g., open palms to convey honesty). Avoid fidgeting, pointing, or overusing gestures, which can distract from your message. 4. Mirror Your Audience’s Body Language Subtly align your posture and gestures with the other person’s to create rapport. Avoid mimicking; instead, aim for natural alignment that signals connection and empathy. 5. Exude Calm and Confidence Slow your movements and avoid rapid or erratic gestures to project calm authority. Take controlled breaths to maintain composure, especially in high-stakes situations. 6. Align Facial Expressions with Your Message Smile genuinely to build warmth and trust, but ensure it aligns with the context. Use expressive eyebrows or subtle nods to show engagement and understanding. 7. Control Your Space Stand or sit firmly within your space to project presence and authority. Respect personal boundaries while subtly leaning in during conversations to show interest. 8. Pay Attention to Your Hands Keep hands visible; hiding them in pockets or behind your back can create mistrust. Use gestures like steepling (fingertips together) to convey confidence and thoughtfulness. 9. Watch Your Feet Placement Stand with feet shoulder-width apart for a grounded and confident stance. Avoid shifting weight excessively or pointing your feet toward the exit, which signals disengagement. 10. Adapt to Cultural Contexts Be mindful of cultural differences in body language and adjust accordingly. What may convey confidence in one culture might be perceived differently in another. Be mindful of your nonverbal cues and how they might be perceived. Record yourself or seek feedback to refine your body language for influential communication. Mastering these aspects of body language can enhance your ability to lead, persuade, and build meaningful connections. Nonverbal cues often speak louder than words—use them intentionally to leave a lasting impact!

93% of communication impact comes from nonverbal cues. In our virtual-first world, your nonverbal signals speak volumes about your leadership. After analyzing hundreds of executive interviews, I've identified 8 nonverbal signals that dramatically impact trust in virtual meetings: 1. Open Palms Visible hand gestures with open palms signal honesty and openness.   ✅ According to anthropological research, showing palms has been a universal trust signal across cultures for millennia. 2. Eye Contact Looking directly at the camera when making key points creates connection.   ✅ Most leaders look at faces on screen instead, missing this critical trust signal. 3. Head Nodding Deliberate nodding while listening demonstrates active engagement. ✅ This small gesture signals respect for others' ideas. 4. Upright Posture Sitting tall with shoulders back conveys confidence and attention. ✅ Poor posture subtly communicates disinterest. 5. Authentic Background A personal yet professional environment signals transparency. ✅ Research suggests artificial backgrounds can create psychological distance. 6. Facial Animation Natural expressions that match your content demonstrate genuine engagement. ✅ Flat expressions create disconnect. 7. Frontal Orientation Facing the camera directly communicates full presence and attention. ✅ Angled positioning suggests divided focus. 8. Mirroring Subtly matching others' pace and tone creates unconscious rapport. ✅ This established psychological principle works even through screens. The most successful leaders don't just focus on what they say. They strategically manage how they appear. Which of these trust signals could you strengthen in your next virtual meeting?

It was truly a pleasure to join Heather R. Younger on her “Leadership With Heart” podcast to discuss the balance between strength and compassion in leadership. Our conversation took a fascinating turn when we talked about how body language impacts leadership effectiveness - something I’ve observed throughout my career but rarely gets enough attention. One of my favorite insights from our discussion centered on how we carry ourselves into a meeting. As I shared with Heather, I used to carry my materials in front of me, almost like a shield. Now I deliberately carry them at my side, which creates a more open, approachable presence. These subtle shifts can dramatically change how accessible we appear to our teams. We discussed how, in board meetings and around conference tables, many women tend to make themselves small, staying compact and keeping their spot tidy, while others lean back and take up as much space as possible. My advice? If you’re in the meeting, you’ve earned your place at the table - literally and figuratively. Take your space confidently. What also struck me was comparing leadership body language to what we see in elite athletes. Just as Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce’s nonverbal cues before halftime in the Super Bowl sent messages to their team, how we show up as leaders communicates volumes before we say a word. Whether it’s turning your camera on for virtual meetings, being fully present rather than multitasking, or making that critical first impression count, these unspoken elements of leadership can build or erode trust faster than any corporate communication. Leadership is felt as much as it’s heard. In my experience, caring deeply for your team isn’t a liability - it’s the foundation for transformative results. Thank you 💜Heather R Younger, J.D., CSP® for the thoughtful conversation! I encourage everyone to check out the Leadership with Heart podcast for more inspiring discussions on leadership and personal growth. Our episode “Striking the Balance between Soft and Hard in Leadership” is available here: https://lnkd.in/eHsRChvi

🌟 Harnessing the Power of Body Talk: A Transformative Leadership Lesson 🌟 As a public speaking coach, I often emphasize the subtle yet profound impact of body language in communication. Recently, I witnessed a remarkable transformation that truly encapsulates this principle. During a high-stakes meeting, I observed a promising young executive, Alex, who initially struggled with his presence. His ideas were innovative, yet his slouched posture and averted gaze didn't convey the confidence needed to captivate the senior management. Realizing the disconnect, we worked together to harness the power of assertive body language—straight posture, steady eye contact, and purposeful gestures. The change was not just physical but psychological. At the next meeting, Alex entered the room with a presence that was palpable. He stood tall, his eyes engaging his audience, his movements deliberate and confident. The room's dynamic shifted; people leaned in, they listened, engaged, and nodded. Alex's ideas were the same, but his delivery had transformed. He wasn’t just heard; he was felt. This moment was a testament to the empowering potential of body language. It's more than aesthetics; it’s about visibility and credibility. Alex's story is a powerful reminder that our bodies speak volumes before we even utter a word. In leadership, how we say something can be as impactful as what we say. Let’s remember, great leaders not only inspire with their words but also with their presence. What story is your body language telling?

Recent work and world events have convinced me that practically everything you say and do as a leader must be thought of as a "media" appearance. It's likely that your video meeting is being recorded for playback. You're in a small box, competing with multi-taskers and so you must heighten your voice, expressions, and body language to convey energy and hold interest. And if you're speaking while sharing your screen, you're in an even smaller box! Think about it: Every audience member is in possession of a video and audio recording device. Almost every meeting is recorded and transcribed. Even if you can't see the device, you should proceed as if you are being audio recorded. So, speak as you were trained to do in media appearances: 👄 Use vocal variety: Vary pace (fast & slow), pitch (high & low), pause, power (volume), placement (where in the body) 👋 Use your hands so they are visible on the screen. Put down your pen and your notes! 👀 Use your eyes and eyebrows to convey emotion. 💬 Speak in short sentences that are easily editable on the periods. 🌍 To the extent possible, provide context in each sentence. 🌉 When answering questions, don't repeat negatives. i.e., Not, "No, we're not disappointed" but rather, "We're very happy that..." And, use bridging language to return to the message you want to deliver. i.e., "Let's go directly to our solution..." 🌟 Use highlighting language, such as, "The most important thing to know is..." and "The real issue is..." 👓 If you are going to read your notes, print on only the top 2/3rds of the page so you are not looking down and losing eye contact with the audience. #leadershipcommunication #presentationskills #mediaskills

A sales prospect stopped me mid-pitch this week. Not to ask a question. Not to object. But to compliment me. “You’re such a great communicator,” they said. I was flattered. But here’s the truth... I wasn’t born a great communicator. I trained for this. Hundreds of Hollywood red carpet interviews. Hours of media trainings. And most recently, studying the work of communications expert, Vanessa Van Edwards. Why? Because communication is the cheat code. ✅ To closing more deals ✅ Building more trust ✅ Making more money And it’s mostly nonverbal. Here are 7 high-impact lessons I recently learned from Vanessa that will instantly level up your presence on any call: 1) Steeple your hands. Shows confidence without arrogance. 2) Triple nod—slowly. Makes people feel heard (and say more). 3) End your sentences on a DOWN note. No questioning tone. Speak like a leader. 4) Expose your ear. That subtle head tilt signals warmth and openness. 5) Don’t say “How are you?” Try: “What’s good with you today?” → Warm + curious. 6) Open with a personal anecdote. “I just found the best little coffee shop in Scottsdale.” → Human connection before business. 7) Eye contact timing. Look away while speaking, lock in when you finish → authority + impact. These cues cost nothing. But they can make you rich. Ignore them, and they might keep you broke. So here’s the million-dollar question: When’s the last time you practiced your communication the way you practice your offer? Let’s stop winging it. In sales calls, in presentations, in podcast interviews. Your future clients, followers and investors can feel the difference. 🙏🏻💫

The other day I posted a longer version of this on my website, but here’s the short version. You can tell when a leader walks into the room. It’s not the title. It’s how they carry themselves. Words matter—but presence speaks louder. A glance across the room. A pause before a handshake. The stillness before speaking. These quiet signals shape how people feel around you. Say “I’m listening” while checking your phone? Nobody believes you. But stay calm and present in a tough moment, and the whole team steadies. I once worked with a leader who never raised his voice. But when he slowly set down his pen, the room went silent. That was enough. Nonverbal cues aren’t tricks. They only work if they’re real. That’s why alignment matters. Match your words to your presence. Lead from who you are, not from someone else’s playbook. People don’t remember every word. But they’ll remember how you made them feel.

Great leaders are "extraspective."    This is a word I use to describe the ability to see yourself in real time the way others see you.    It’s rare, but with practice, it’s a trainable skill.    Here’s why it matters:    Most leaders assume they’re being clear, but people can’t hear what you think. If your team isn’t aligned, the problem might not be strategy—it might be how you show up.    This is when being extraspective counts most.    Here are 3 ways to flex your extraspective muscle: 1️⃣ Become aware of your nonverbal communication.    55% of communication is nonverbal. Your tone, body language, and expressions set the energy in the room before you say a word.  Get this right, and your team feels it. Get it wrong, and they feel that too. 2️⃣ Align your words with your convictions.    People have finely tuned phony filters—if you don’t believe what you’re saying, neither will they.  Extraspective leaders match their words to what they actually believe, creating trust and alignment. 3️⃣ Read the room and adjust.    Are they engaged? Confused? Checked out?     Pick up on cues and adjust in real-time to ensure clarity and connection. Leaders, remember this: You are emotionally contagious.     Your team absorbs your energy, your confidence, and your clarity—or lack of it. Learn how to see yourself through their eyes, and lead accordingly.    Would you consider yourself an extraspective leader? Drop a comment below👇    #Leadership #Communication #Team