Here's a startling fact: some sixty-five percent of what we communicate is conveyed through our body language, pitch, volume, and tone of voice. The words we select (sometimes so carefully and thoughtfully) only comprise around thirty percent of the message that our audience receives. We reveal clues to our unspoken intentions or feelings through our physical behavior--through body posture, gestures, facial expressions, and eye movements. This is typically subconscious behavior that provides clues about attitude or state of mind.
Coaching happens in conversation, so for coaches, this means we need to pay acute attention to body language, in addition to the words our client says. I've noticed that non-verbal cues are often what give me the deepest insight into what's going on with a coachee--and when I've felt stuck about what to do or say next, it's because I haven't been paying close attention to the non-verbal clues. Like all other coaching strategies, this is a skill that you can strengthen and develop if it doesn't come instinctively to you. Here's what to pay attention to:
