If you find yourself itching to nod a distress signal that will end a brain dead meeting … it’s critical that somebody else knows what you mean.
At MITA we attend meetings where life-changing decisions can be decided in a flash – so top executives, tend to use signals that we’ve rehearsed ahead. Do you?
Occasionally, our nods and gestures backfire with hilarious results. Rece
ntly … for instance … we attended a dinner with an executive from a large firm that began to lead us in directions no longer in harmony with MITA ethics.
In panic … I began to gesture wildly to Dr. Robyn McMaster under the table, watching her face intently to see her apparently ignoring my increasing chops to her shins. Robyn continued talking as if nothing happened … and even glanced back with what seemed an annoyed expression.
When the host excused himself to answer an emergency call, Robyn explained that he’d been watching the whole charade under the glass table. Yikes! Has it ever happened to you?
Even the queen nods and gestures to end or extend meetings. She places her bag on the floor as one cue, dangles it from her left arm for another, and wears a Hermes scarf knotted under the chin for yet another. Oh, and by the way, did you know the Queen also carries a meat hook in her bag?
The brain reacts to signals you create, so you’ll want to plan these well ahead with your team. Be careful to remove meat hooks or add blows to the shins carefully though – because visual exchanges have been known to backfire. Have you seen it happen?
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