Early on in our discussions, I talked about “people watching” and what you can learn from this experiment. You initially used it to become more aware of what you thought was happening with other people by watching their body language.
Now that you have reviewed the four-step process, you can again use it to your advantage. In “people watching” you may see some characterizations that you feel would work well for you.
I’m not suggesting that you simply “follow the crowd,” but you might just see something that looks effective and, more importantly, is authentic to YOU!
It is also an opportunity to see what doesn’t work in interactions – either with yourself or with others. For example, in a group discussion, while being mindful of what is being said, notice the reactions of others. Are they buying into what is being said or not? Are they interested in what is going on or not?
If your responses to these questions are “not” then, ask yourself what exactly is going on? What is the speaker doing or saying that is not getting the desired result? Is it the words being used, the tone of voice or the body language? Or is it simply a lack of authenticity? Is that what is being sensed by the recipients of the message?
If you are observing others – “people watching” – and see something that you think is an interesting characterization, try it out in a small way. Check if it is in line with the character you are portraying. Often, my clients see something that was a missing element in their own portrayal and realize it right away!
So, following the crowd – and observing closely – can have some valuable lessons for you!
To Being Heard,
Linda