Wes Kao · 6 min read · Product Teams
EQ is not just about what you say. It’s your body language too.
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EQ isn’t just about words—it’s about body language and facial cues that reinforce or undercut your message. The article explains how mismatches can erode trust and offers practical steps to read your tells, adjust signals, and foster psychological safety in conversations.
Key Takeaways
- Align your body language with your message to avoid appearing insincere.
- Notice your tells (eye movements, facial expressions, posture) to manage nervousness and influence others’ perceptions.
- Use signals strategically: soften your tone for empathy and simplify expressions to convey authority when appropriate.
- Channel how senior leaders look and act, but don’t imitate blindly or overdo it.
- Prioritize psychological safety by maintaining open expressions and attentive posture to encourage honest feedback.
Excerpt
👋 Hey, it’s Wes. Welcome to my bi-weekly newsletter on managing up, leading teams, and standing out as a high performer. To level up faster, check out my intensive course on Executive Communication & Influence . You’ll learn alongside mid-career operators from orgs like Netflix, Stripe, Meta, Anthropic, etc. → Save your spot ⛑️ If you want to improve your executive presence, learn more about 1:1 coaching . I originally published a version of this essay in March 2020. Enjoy. Read time : 4 minutes If this is your first time here, sign up and be the first to read…