✅ When a Leader's Words Say Yes… But his Body Says No

A leader says “yes”…… but avoids eye contact.… clenches their jaw.… folds in slightly.

And the team, often unconsciously, feels the disconnect.

Why? Because nonverbal cues reveal inner tension. And even subtle misalignment erodes trust.

Here are 3 patterns :

🔹 1. Saying yes with a tense body. Frozen posture, shallow breath.

➡️ The body says, “I’m resisting.”

🔹 2. Listening with closed body language. Crossed arms, averted gaze, leaning back.

➡️ Physically present… but no longer open.

🔹 3. Agreeing with a disengaged body. No facial expression, no movement.

➡️ The body says, “I’m not on board.”

🎯 Trust is not built on words alone. It’s built on perceived alignment between words and presence.

How to realign?

✔ Pause before responding.

✔ If tension exists, name it gently.

✔ Watch your reactions — they say a lot.

💡 That’s where leadership begins. In what you embody, not just what you say.

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