Home Blog Page 5

New Manager Rule 6: Sit Up Straight

Kevin B. Leigh
-
0
New Manager Rule 6: Sit Up Straight

“The human body is the best picture of the human soul.”

Ludwig Wittgenstein, the Austrian-British philosopher, might not have been talking about office posture when he said this, but boy, does it apply. Your body doesn’t just carry your brain to meetings; it’s broadcasting your inner state louder than the office gossip after happy hour.

Sit up straight.

Your spine will thank you, even if your comfort zone won’t. Leaders never slouch.

Listen up, new leader. Your chair isn’t a hammock, and your desk isn’t a pillow. When you sit up straight, you’re not just aligning your vertebrae; you’re aligning yourself with success. It’s like you’re telling gravity, “Nice try, but you can’t keep a good manager down.”

Think of your spine as your personal powerline. When it’s straight, the energy flows freely. When it’s curved like a question mark, the only question is, “Why does this person look like they’re melting?” Slouching doesn’t say “I’m relaxed and approachable.” It says “I’m one step away from sliding under this desk and taking a nap.”

But here’s the kicker: sitting up straight isn’t just about looking good. It’s about feeling good and thinking clearly. When you slouch, you’re compressing your lungs, which means less oxygen to your brain. And let’s face it, in some of those long meetings, you need all the brain oxygen you can get.

Now, I’m not saying you need to sit like you’ve swallowed a broomstick. We’re aiming for “attentive leader,” not “robot in need of WD-40.” Find a comfortable, upright position that you can maintain. Imagine there’s a string pulling you up from the crown of your head. It’s like you’re a puppet, but you’re the puppeteer. Just don’t start making marionette movements in the middle of a board meeting.

And here’s a secret: good posture isn’t just about your back. Engage your core (yes, those abs you’ve been meaning to work on), keep your shoulders back and down, and plant your feet firmly on the floor. It’s like yoga, minus the awkward stretchy pants and “om” chanting.

Remember, when you sit up straight, you’re not just improving your posture; you’re elevating your presence. You’re saying, “I’m here, I’m engaged, and I definitely didn’t doze off during that last PowerPoint slide.”

Here’s a Pro Tip:

Stick a Post-it note on your computer screen with a simple “|” drawn on it. It’s a reminder to keep your spine aligned like that vertical line. If you start to slouch, the line will look crooked. It’s like a low-tech posture alarm. Just don’t draw the line on your actual screen with a permanent marker. Trust me, IT doesn’t appreciate that kind of “hardware optimization.”

So, new manager, sit up straight and take charge. Your spine, your team, and your future chiropractor will thank you. Who knows? With perfect posture, you might even grow an inch. Vertical progress is still progress, right?

New Manager Rule #5: Decode Their Face

Kevin B. Leigh
-
0
New Manager Rule #5: Decode Their Face

“The face is a picture of the mind with the eyes as its interpreter.”

Cicero, the Roman statesman and philosopher, nailed it way back in ancient times. He didn’t have FBI interrogation studies or modern psychology to back him up, but he knew the face could spill more secrets than a gossipy hairdresser on a slow day.

* * *

Learn to read Micro Expressions:

For example, most liars look down and to the right, according to FBI interrogation studies. That’s where the term “downright liar” comes from. But before you go off accusing everybody you know of being deceitful, learn to look for the body language cues that will make you more aware of what they’re saying. In the book “Without Saying a Word∗,” Kasia Wezowski succinctly highlights the body language cues that you will need to learn to be a great leader and a great salesperson.

Becoming a micro expression expert is like gaining a superpower, minus the radioactive spider bite. It’s about noticing those fleeting facial expressions that last for a fraction of a second. They’re like text messages from the subconscious, but instead of “LOL” or “BRB,” they’re saying “I’m lying” or “I secretly hate this idea but I’m too polite to say so.”

Start by watching people’s faces when you know they’re experiencing a certain emotion. Happy? Look for those crow’s feet around the eyes (real smiles reach the eyes, fake ones don’t). Disgusted? There’s a little wrinkle that appears on the nose. Surprised? The eyebrows go up and the mouth opens slightly. It’s like a game of emotional Bingo, and you’re trying to get a full house.

But here’s the catch: don’t get so caught up in playing facial detective that you forget to actually listen to what people are saying. You’re aiming for “attentive leader,” not “creepy face-starer.”

And remember, context is key. If someone looks down and to the right, they might be lying… or they might have just noticed a stain on their shirt. If their nose wrinkles, they might be disgusted by your proposal… or they might be allergic to your aftershave. Don’t jump to conclusions faster than a kangaroo on a pogo stick.

The real skill is in combining what you see with what you hear. It’s like being a human lie detector, but without the awkward wires and electrodes. Plus, it’s a lot more socially acceptable in meetings.

Pro Tip:

Practice your micro expression reading skills while watching TV with the sound off. It’s like a silent movie, but instead of piano music, you provide the internal monologue. “Ah, he’s saying he didn’t eat the last cookie, but that slight lip purse says otherwise!” Just don’t do this out loud at the office. Trust me, it’s a quick way to earn a reputation as “that weird mumbly guy.”

So, start paying attention to those micro expressions. It’s like learning a new language, but instead of “Where’s the bathroom?” you’re learning to ask “Is Dave really on board with this project, or is he just nodding along while planning his escape?” Master this, and you’ll be reading rooms like a bestselling author. Just remember to blink occasionally, okay?

∗ Get the book Without Saying a Word: https://amzn.to/487AAIj

New Manager Rule #4: Make Eye Contact

Kevin B. Leigh
-
0
New Manager Rule #4: Make Eye Contact

“The eyes are the mirror of the soul and reflect everything that seems to be hidden; and like a mirror, they also reflect the person looking into them.”

Paulo Coelho, the Brazilian lyricist and novelist, is best known for his book “The Alchemist.∗” While he’s not a business leader per se, his insights into human nature are spot-on for leadership. This quote beautifully captures the power of eye contact in human interaction.

In leadership, as in literature, the eyes tell a story. They’re like those little text bubbles in comic books, but instead of “POW!” and “BAM!”, they’re saying “I’m listening” or “I’m as lost as a penguin in the Sahara.”

* * *

Make eye contact.

But never stare, look around the room, but then always come back to the person’s eyes when they are making a point. Making strong eye contact helps you focus on their conversation and helps you notice their lies or honesty.

Think of it as a dance. Your eyes are doing the cha-cha across the room, but they always come back to your partner. It’s like you’re saying, “I see you, I see the room, but you’re the most interesting thing here.” Unless, of course, there’s a fire. Then, by all means, stare at that.

Strong eye contact is your superpower. It shows you’re engaged, confident, and not checking your phone under the table. (We all know that trick, and no, holding your phone up to your forehead doesn’t count as eye contact.)

But be careful not to overdo it. Constant, unblinking eye contact doesn’t say “I’m listening intently.” It says “I’m imagining how you’d look stuffed and mounted over my fireplace.” Creepy, not leader-like.

The trick is to maintain eye contact about 60-70% of the time. Any less, and you look distracted or shifty. Any more, and you look like you’re trying to win a staring contest. Mix it up. Look at their eyes, then their nose, then briefly away, then back to the eyes. It’s like a facial features scavenger hunt.

Here’s the real secret:

When you make eye contact, you’re not just connecting – you’re detecting. You’ll start to pick up on micro-expressions, those tiny facial twitches that reveal what people are really thinking. It’s like having a built-in lie detector, minus the awkward wires and electrodes.

So, keep your eyes on the prize – and by prize, I mean the person you’re talking to. Unless they have spinach in their teeth. Then maybe focus on their forehead for a bit.

And here’s a Pro Tip:

If you find yourself in an impromptu staring contest, throw in an exaggerated smirk. It either breaks the tension or convinces them you have an uncontrolled resting face. Either way, you’re off the hook.

∗ link to the Alchemist Book: https://amzn.to/3BGuOl7

New Manager Rule #3: Arms Crossed Behind Your Back

Kevin B. Leigh
-
0
New Manager Rule #3: Arms Crossed Behind Your Back

“The most effective leaders are all alike in one crucial way: they all have a high degree of what has come to be known as emotional intelligence.”

Daniel Goleman is an author, psychologist, and science journalist. He’s best known for his groundbreaking work on “Emotional Intelligence∗” in leadership. Goleman argues that effective leaders are distinguished not just by their technical skills, but by their mastery of self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skill.

This quote relates to our rule because the way you carry yourself – including how you position your arms – is a key part of emotional intelligence in leadership. It’s about being aware of the signals you’re sending and regulating them to project confidence and attentiveness.

* * *

Arms crossed behind your back.

Like an attentive leader, not a scolded schoolboy. Never stand with your hands across your balls because if you do, you look like you’re posing for a freaking photo, not leading a team. Leaders tend to talk with their hands, but when their hands are not in use, they’re put away like weapons ready to be drawn at any conversation.

Think of it as the “Secret Service Stance.” You’re not just standing there; you’re on high alert, ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice. Whether that action is delivering a killer presentation or diving to take a bullet for the CEO is up to you. (Pro tip: stick to the presentations, unless you’re actually in the Secret Service.)

This stance says, “I’m listening intently, and I’m ready to respond.” It’s the physical embodiment of that emotional intelligence Goleman was talking about. You’re showing that you’re engaged, confident, and in control, all without saying a word.

But a word of caution: don’t overdo it. You want to look like a leader, not like you’re about to break into the national anthem or announce, “At ease, soldiers!” Mix it up. Use this stance when you’re listening to others or surveying your domain (aka the office), then release your hands to gesture when you speak.

And for the love of all that is holy in management, keep your hands away from the family jewels. The “fig leaf” pose is for Renaissance statues, not modern leaders. Unless you’re leading a team of marble sculptors, in which case, carry on.

Your arms and hands are your secret weapons. When you’re not using them to emphasize a point or high-five a team member for a job well done, tuck them behind your back. It’s the leadership equivalent of holstering your pistols. You’re armed and ready, but not threatening. You’re Bruce Wayne, not Batman. At least, not until casual Friday

Here’s a Pro Tip:

Practice this stance in front of a mirror. If you look like you’re about to introduce a magic act or announce dinner is served, adjust until you nail that “attentive leader” vibe. And remember, if your back starts to hurt, it’s nature’s way of telling you to delegate more.

∗ Link to the Emotional intelligence book: https://amzn.to/3YbmVf4 

1...456...8Page 5 of 8
© Newspaper WordPress Theme by TagDiv