You touched your face! You must be lying.

This month’s training content is all about communications and, girl, are there lots! For example, take the fact that I just substituted “girl” for “boy,” which was my original text. When you say “boy,” it comes off more like a “wow.” When you say “girl,” you get a “look out!”

That’s verbal differences. In the non-verbal arena we have just as many factors to send us astray. There is research about witnesses touching their face being an indication of not telling the truth. In the business world, a little fidgeting sends the message of insecurity, something women want to avoid.  A physical barrier between you and the listener (a podium, a stack of books or water pitcher on the table) can become a mental barrier that prevents a sense of completely open communication.

None of us are completely where we want to be as communicators, so this area is often rich with opportunity. What’s your Achille’s heel?