Quicker than a blink: The power of microexpressions
The first encounter was promising. He was charming, highly professional and appeared to share her vision. It looked like a collaboration destined for greatness. But one day, a small, subtle thing caught her attention—a fleeting misalignment between his smile and his eyes. Something didn’t feel quite right. Weeks went by, and slowly, the imperfections in their collaboration began to surface.
What happened ? Science in action!
Research shows that microexpressions—those fleeting, involuntary facial cues—occur in 1/25-1/5 of a second. Let’s put this in perspective: the average human blink lasts about 100-150 milliseconds. A microexpression can appear in as little as a third of that time—so quick that if you blink at the exact moment, you’ll miss it. And its those brief expressions that reveal the genuine emotions before the conscious mind can intervene, uncovering truths that words often strive to hide. That dissonant smile, that fleeting inconsistency—silent signals of misaligned expectations.
Pushed by her unwavering optimism, she initially tried to rationalize her gut feeling, offering countless justifications. Yet, reality eventually prevailed, demanding a realignment of a project that still held potential, just in a completely different form.
The lesson?
Authentic communication and collaboration are almost exclusively rooted in soft skills. These subtle abilities not only help you avoid costly missteps but also serve as the foundation for success. Soft skills can be taught, but they cannot be faked.
Our school systems often overlook these vital skills, and our fast-paced lives tend to neglect them. Yet, mastering soft skills can be the difference between merely achieving success and truly thriving. At hunter-gathering times, they were a question of life and death. Those who ignored that truth are not our ancestors.
One powerful tool to help you navigate this reality is Presence. It’s not just about being physically present—it’s about being fully engaged in the moment, attuned to the emotions of those around you. Want to learn this technique and how it can refine your charisma and elevate your interactions? Let’s connect.
In any partnership, remember: a fake smile can fool the eyes, but it can never deceive the heart.
Throughout my life and career, I’ve received contrasting feedback: some people have told me I’m “extremely charismatic,” while others insisted I’m not charismatic at all—too Cartesian. I didn’t quite understand it. It felt like there was a secret switch that turned charisma on or off, depending on the situation or the people in front of me. Intrigued by this paradox, I decided to dive deep into the subject to uncover the soft skills that truly drives charisma. And guess what? I found the switch. Now, as always, I’m ready to share these insights in my workshops.
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