Micromessaging: Why Great Leadership is Beyond Words

CHAPTER 2The Blind Spot

Have you ever observed how colleagues greet each other? Watch how they acknowledge one another and establish visual contact, how close they stand, and listened to the inflection of their words. At first glance, such greetings might appear to be repetitive, but when you take a closer look at the gestures, tone, inflection, and gazes you’ll catch clues as to where everyone stands. You’ll spot some relationships that are close and personal, and others that appear somewhat strained. Sometimes even without uttering a word the micromessages of a silent greeting can spell out who is, and who is not, “connected.”

At work, watch the ways in which participants stroll into the conference room. You can bet people will greet each other ...