The analysis of non-verbal language is very successful today. It allows us to decipher the actions of politicians or diplomats, making them admit their fears, their contempt or their hopes without them having uttered a single word. To try to control this invisible communication, these personalities train extensively with coaches. The problem ? This often limits their spontaneity, sometimes to their expense.
Do you think you know everything about your employees? Know that their actions betray them and reveal part of their deep thoughts. Indeed, a simple crossing of the legs or a movement of the eye can tell you a lot about the current behavior of your employee.
Here is a practical guide to the main professional gestures to observe (including looks and handshakes) to better understand the motivations of your teams. Be careful, however, not to fall into caricature: the objective is to adjust your management, not to damage your relationships.
Deciphering body signals in the office
He strokes his chin
Your colleague listens to you attentively and strokes his chin interestedly when he speaks, or vice versa when you speak.
In reality: This gesture can mean that your employee distrusts you, or worse, that he underestimates you. This is sometimes a sign that he is anticipating a sneaky action, such as leaving the company soon.
He constantly touches his nose
With him, it’s almost sickly, whether when you speak or when you start the conversation. His justification? A bad allergy.
In reality: There’s a good chance he’s distorting the truth. If this action occurs as soon as you question him, it is possible that he is preparing his lies in advance. Cultural nuance: The Japanese tend to touch their noses out of habit when they speak, so avoid hasty interpretations!
He smiles without eyes
To distinguish a real smile from a fake one, the secret lies in the look. The little “crow’s feet” that form at the corners of the eyes are the guarantee of a frank and authentic smile.
In reality: If the eyes remain perfectly fixed and smooth, your interlocutor is probably hiding the depths of his thoughts from you.
He keeps his hands clenched throughout the interview
His hands remain closed, clenched together throughout your exchange.
In reality: Your employee appears upset, tense or particularly uncomfortable. The ball is in your court to break the ice and coax him.
He joins his hands “in prayer”
The palms are together or the fingers intertwined in front of him, like a prayer.
In reality: It goes into active observation mode. In this posture, he will spend a lot more time analyzing you than listening to you.
He keeps an index finger on his cheek
As you speak, his index finger remains pointed vertically along his cheek.
In reality: This signal reflects dissatisfaction with your comments. In some cases, this can slide into annoyance or contempt.
His left hand grips his right forearm
He holds his arm unconsciously during the discussion.
In reality: It is a gesture of self-protection that admits a failure, a drop in confidence or a difficulty that he has difficulty overcoming.
He covers his mouth with a supporting elbow
His hand hides his lips while his arm is supported on the table or armchair.
In reality: He is suspicious of your statements, does not take you entirely seriously and expects more concrete explanations.
He crosses his ankles under the chair
His feet are locked at the ankles.
In reality: Your employee is just not in a good mood today. Rest assured, this does not necessarily have a direct link to you or your interview.
Leg crossing: a gender question
The direction of crossing its legs varies depending on whether it is a man or a woman.
In reality: If the leg LEFT is crossed on the right: a man is not at all convinced by your arguments, while a woman appears, on the contrary, won over. The observation is reversed if the leg RIGHT passes over the left. Attention : Left-handed people have naturally reversed gestures!
He crosses his arms
A great classic of non-verbal communication.
In reality: It is a posture of closure. Your interlocutor will remain defensive throughout the interview as long as they have not uncrossed their arms.
His legs remain “square”
His legs form a straight, rigid angle, with his feet flat or oriented toward the exit.
In reality: This is a complete lack of interest in the topic of discussion. His body expresses its desire to leave.
Positive body signals
Fortunately, certain gestures confirm the commitment and openness of your employee. Two attitudes should particularly attract your attention:
- Thumb under chin: When he rests his elbow and keeps his thumb tucked under his chin, with his right index finger covering his lips, he is deep in constructive thought.
- Hand on cheek: If he supports one elbow and delicately places his hand against his cheek, he is sincerely paying very close attention to your words.
What his handshake says
The physical contact of the handshake gives an excellent indication of the posture of your interlocutor. Here’s how to interpret it if your employee extends a hand to you:
| Handshake type | Associated psychological profile |
| Palm facing the ground | Dominant profile, seeks to gain the upper hand. |
| Soft hand (the “dead fish”) | Shy person, lacking confidence, or not very concerned. |
| Painful hand (knuckle crusher) | Aggressive person, who unconsciously seeks conflict. |
| Fleeing hand (quick withdrawal) | Elusive profile who will try to make you feel guilty. |
Also watch out for: If he only hands you the fingertipshe avoids direct contact out of shyness or aversion. Finally, if it mysteriously only tends the indexthis is probably a self-conscious person.
Conclusion: Managing with empathy, without caricature
Although this succinct analysis may be open to discussion, it offers a valuable reading grid for everyday life. The objective of this approach is not to target your teams, but to encourage you to listen more attentively to the feelings of your employees. If observing these attitudes allows you to defuse hidden conflicts and create more harmonious managerial relationships, then you have won everything!
