People often ask us how to better understand others to be a more effective leader. Can we decipher a frown or someone’s folded arms to better understand them? Of course, some knowledge on reading people can be helpful. However, the challenge is that humans are, well, human, and reactions don’t always follow a predefined pattern or set formula. 

Consider Jill, a CEO. Having just introduced a major reorganization in her firm a day ago, she finds herself sitting in a one-on-one meeting with Jack, the firm’s COO. Jack is frowning, which Jill could reasonably infer was unhappiness with the restructuring. What she doesn’t know is that Jack is simply thinking about an upsetting argument he had with his son before work.  

If leaders want to lead effectively and implement successful changes in an organization, they need to inquire into the true feelings of their team and the individuals they work with. Otherwise, Jill and Jack will remain in their individual bubbles and may never truly meet. 

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