Joe Navarro’s new book, Be Exceptional: Master the Five Traits That Set Extraordinary People Apart, doubles as a crash course on communicating with co-workers returning to the office. Navarro, who was the FBI’s body language expert for 25 years, says employees’ preferences have changed during the pandemic. His advice: Pause before you dive into your own agenda so that you can quickly assess your co-workers’ needs, desires, preferences, concerns, and fears. “Most of us don’t engage in that observation,” he says. Here are his thoughts and tips:
How have your preferences changed this year?
I might want to stand further away, and I don’t want to shake hands. I’m happy to give you a fist bump or an elbow, but hugs are a “no” for me.
