Inclusion and Valuing in Group Interactions

The leader's view: Include everyone, not just the one with the highest status.

In group interactions, it is common for a dynamic to exist where one person is perceived as the leader or most important figure.

A natural, but detrimental, tendency is for the other participants to focus all their attention, including eye contact, solely on that leading figure, almost completely ignoring the others present. An effective leader must actively counteract this.

It is crucial to distribute gaze and attention equally among all participants, regardless of their perceived status, to ensure that each person feels included and part of the conversation.

Avoid invisibility and resentment

When someone is ignored in a group interaction, focusing exclusively on the person deemed most important, the nonverbal message the ignored person receives is that he or she is invisible or unimportant.

This feeling of being excluded or unappreciated can lead to resentment. This resentment is detrimental not only to that specific interaction, but also to the long-term professional relationship and overall collaboration.

It is critical to actively prevent anyone from feeling ignored or unappreciated.

NVC as a tool for mutual appreciation

Nonverbal Communication (NVC), especially the conscious use of inclusive eye gaze and other attention cues, is an essential tool for ensuring that everyone in a professional environment feels included, engaged, valued and respected.

By actively using your CNV to acknowledge and validate each individual's presence, you contribute to creating a positive environment.

Making the people around you feel valued and respected not only prevents resentment, but also strengthens rel