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Did I Say That?
If you find your people-to-people skills are a lesson you need to learn a bit more about, one avenue to explore is nonverbal communication. While you are saying one thing, your facial expressions and body language may be telling people something totally different.

Here are some tips on how to make sure your message is getting across in words and actions:

• Be sure when you’re talking with people that you pay attention to where you’re looking, whether you’re smiling or frowning – or yawning – and if you tend to cross your arms in front of you. What you’re saying to someone can be overpowered by what your body is communicating.

• When you’re talking to team members or a large group, recognize the nonverbal cues that tell you when you’ve been talking long enough – fidgeting in the crowd, side conversations, people getting up for breaks. They’ve already stopped listening.

• Be aware that different cultures observe different nonverbal communication styles. Don’t jump to conclusions before you take the time to understand where that person is coming from.

While you are saying one thing, your facial expressions and body language may be telling people something totally different.