In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jared Fujishin—who wrote his PhD dissertation specifically on nonverbal communication—to explore how leaders can close "the trust gap" between their good intentions and actual connection with their teams. You might spend hours crafting the perfect message, but if your nonverbal signals are sending a different story, your carefully chosen words won't land. Jared breaks down the often invisible ways leaders accidentally communicate disinterest or unavailability, even when their hearts are completely in the right place. Start with Authenticity: The Inside-Out Approach Before diving into techniques and tactics, Jared emphasizes three foundational steps: Connect to your purpose first. Are you genuinely finding joy and meaning in your work? Authentic nonverbal communication flows from this inner alignment, not from memorizing gestures or "hacks." Link back to that purpose when you don't feel like it. On tough days when fires are blazing, and your inbox is overflowing, reconnect with why you're there and what matters most. Then apply the practical strategies. Once your heart is in the right place, specific nonverbal skills become tools to express what's already inside you. Strategy #1: Facial Expressions—Your Smile Opens Doors Your face is often the first thing people notice, yet it's the hardest element for you to monitor yourself. A genuine smile and "happy eyes" create approachability and signal safety to your team. Bring intentional warmth to meetings, even when you're exhausted Read the room—match your expression to the emotional context Remember: people can tell when you're smiling, even on phone calls, because it changes your vocal tone Strategy #2: Timing—Responsiveness Communicates Value In our age of instant responses from AI and bots, delays can feel like dismissal. How quickly you respond—and what you say when you do—tells people whether they matter to you. Acknowledge immediately, even if you can't solve it immediately. Reply quickly to say "I see this, it's on my radar, and I'll get back to you by [specific time]." Think from their perspective. If something is important enough for them to reach out to you, it deserves a timely acknowledgment—even if it's not your top priority. Use time to level the playing field. Quick responses signal respect and reduce the power gap between you and your team. Strategy #3: Artifacts—Put the Devices Away This is the game-changer. Physical objects in your environment—especially phones and laptops—communicate priorities louder than your words ever could. Research on "The Mere Presence Effect" shows that simply having a phone face-up on the table during a meeting drastically reduces how connected, seen, and valued people feel—even if you never look at it. When the phone is flipped face-down or put away entirely, trust and engagement skyrocket. Practical applications: Close your laptop when someone enters your office Flip your phone face down (or better yet, put it in a drawer) Set up your office to be welcoming—comfortable seating, no massive desk barrier between you and others Create physical accountability systems (Jared built a box with his son where he deposits his phone and watch when he gets home) The Big Takeaway: Be Fully Present In our hyper-connected, always-distracted world, being truly present with another human being might be the greatest leadership gift you can offer. Your team doesn't need perfection—they need you to show up fully, put down the screens, and communicate through every channel available that they matter. Resources Mentioned: Learn more about Jared's work at fujifirm.com To learn more about my services and for additional tools to enhance your leadership impact, visit ClaireLaughlin.com and connect with me on social channels @Claire Laughlin Consulting. Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! New episodes are released weekly, and we'd love for you to share them with others who might benefit.
