The body reacts before the brain does

His mouth said yes. His feet said HELL NO. Why your posture betrays you before your words do.

He was smiling. That was the first clue.

Here’s what happened once. I had just finished a workshop for a leadership team in Frankfurt. Nothing dramatic. We’d covered decision styles, group dynamics, expected changes – the usual polite chaos.

I pointed to one of the managers – a sharp-dressed, sharp-tongued guy in his 40s – and asked:

“So, how do you feel about the new team structure?”

He smiled and said: “I’m excited. Great direction. Lots of potential.”

But as he said it, his posture shifted.
He leaned back. Arms crossed.
One foot slid out, angled toward the door.
He started zipping up his laptop bag.
Mid-conversation.

His brain said “Yes.”
His body screamed “Get me out of here.”

I didn’t say anything. Didn’t need to.
His body was already halfway to the parking lot.

See, this happens all the time.
We think we’re listening to people. But really, we’re listening to their words.
And words are slow. Words can lie.
But the body? The body always tells on us.
It reacts before the brain finishes its PR-spin.

Quick tip:

Next time you ask someone a question – look at their face, sure.
But watch their posture.
Where do their feet point?
Do their shoulders turn away?
Are they already reaching for their phone or their keys?

That’s the answer.
Whether they say it out loud or not.

A colourful moment:

After the session, I caught this particular in the hallway and said,

“You didn’t love that idea, did you?”
He laughed out loudly. “Was it that obvious?”
I said, “Your laptop was already out the door.”
He nodded. “Fair enough.”
Then he said, “I might need to work on my poker face.”
I said, “Or just tell the truth faster.”

See you next Wednesday.
//Thomas