If you speak to anyone who has had the privilege of meeting a great leader, phrases such as “he has such a presence and charisma” or “she really is authentic” or he/she “really cares about people” are bound to emerge. It is expected that the true leader will not only “do or say the right things” but will radiate leadership qualities from his/her being, embodying the notion of leadership at all times. How are the signals of leadership or perceptions formed? How do these qualities come across so noticeably in some and not others?
In non-verbal communication, the key is congruency. What we mean is an alignment between the verbal message and the signals that the limbic structure reads of the persons movement in space. We do not consciously process meaning, but our limbic brain does the calculation for us, giving us the feeling of congruency or a mis-alignment. When we aren’t convinced, it produces a feeling at best that is “iffy” and lacking conviction and at worst, distrust and negative emotion like anger. Paraphrasing Damasio, we are always functioning as a multiple presence of the self. As such, we don’t advocate tagging a direct meaning to another’s ‘body language’ without substantial observation. Personal uniqueness and culture play major roles in the use of the body as a sign system. We read other’s bodies from the perspective of our own personal and cultural patterns. Yet, there are certain universal truths about non-verbal communication spanning all culture that which we have examined as a base of leadership impact.
The work of Scholars such as Birdwistell, Delsarte, Eckman provide information about these patterns and the fundamental principles of all human movement. Laban/Bartenieff further offer guidelines when decoding body language with specific reference to functional and expressive patterns.
Generally as a rule, it is important that non-verbal behaviour is slow, open and sustained. Sharp, repetitive movements of the body and hands (the kind when reprimanding someone or pounding a finger on the desk), while they may indicate high energy levels in some cases, need to be managed in certain contexts and good leaders learn to adjust to their circumstances through personal and physical self-awareness, adjusting to the energy requirements of the people in their company.
It is easiest to unpack some further elements whilst referring to two respected leaders: President Obama and Former-President Nelson Mandela.
Observing and analysing the body patterns of these iconic leaders, it is evident that they both:
Have presence: They are both grounded in their movements. They both stay centred, seldom leaving their own personal space, with the pull line of gravity flowing directly through their bodies when in the upright position.
Sure of himself and can be trusted: They both spread and widen in their upper bodies. They both have a good head-neck relationship with the crown of the head the highest point of the body. They both make use of open movements from the centre of the body outwards when sharing information.
Mean what they say: In their gestures there is integration between the energy and intent present at the core of the body, and the energy and intent that is present in the gesture. Thus creating the impression of congruency between what it meant and what is said. Care about people: The man’s shape within the upper body and leans slightly towards the person that he is communicating with, without compromising their own space. Mandela in his later years has a tendency to lean more forward – especially reaching out to make contact with people. It is as if he has softened and pays more attention to how the people that he is interacting with feel. It can be speculated that this is a reflection of where he is in his career and life’s journey. Obama displays slightly less but the same softening and shaping of the upper body when communicating directly with one other person. He furthermore tilts his head slightly to the side as an indication that he is listening attentively to the other person.
For leaders in business that don’t have this, what can be done? Through guidance we can all learn to embody our thoughts and feelings and support our verbal messages with our body language. It takes a high level of self-awareness and feedback and slowly habitual patterns can be changed. Those who do not improve or master their personal delivery of their communication will struggle to lead others.