9 easy non-verbal signals which mean all is not going well

In our recent blog series on how to navigate your firm’s politics successfully (part 1, part 2, part 3), we talked about the need to learn to read non-verbal body language. Very often it is a person’s body language, which will give the greatest clues to their state of mind. I’m Heather Townsend, author of Poised for Partnership and co-author of How to Make Partner & Still Have a Life. I’m the leading global expert in what it takes to move from senior fee earner to partner – and when you get there, stay there. Here are 5 ways to work with me. Take a step forwards to working on your own career development and sign up to my weekly newsletter here and you’ll find out what you need to be working on in your career development (and how to make the time for your career development) to progress your career in your firm. The skill of reading non-verbal body language can be used in all sorts of situations. For example:

• In business development meetings – does the client seem willing to proceed?
• In 1:2:1s with members of your team – do they seem enthusiastic and open to the opportunities you are giving them?
• With clients – is the meeting progressing positively?

Here are 9 non-verbal signals that not all is going well:

• changes in body posture, especially turning away
• crossed arms
• staring
• withdrawal of eye contact
• doodling on the note pad
• looking out the window
• drumming fingers
• frowns
• glancing at the clock or their watch.

If you sense that a meeting is not going well then,

pause, take a breath, and ask how people are feeling

What non-verbal body language clues do you look out for and why? Read: 12 ways to navigate and survive your firm’s politics I’m Heather Townsend, author of Poised for Partnership and co-author of How to Make Partner & Still Have a Life. I’m the leading global expert in what it takes to move from senior fee earner to partner – and when you get there, stay there. Here are 5 ways to work with me. Take a step forwards to working on your own career development and sign up to my weekly newsletter here and you’ll find out what you need to be working on in your career development (and how to make the time for your career development) to progress your career in your firm.