Subtle Signs of Defensiveness
- 😐Short, flat responses
- 💬Overexplaining or justifying
- 🙈Avoiding eye contact
- 🙂↔️Humor with a defensive edge
- 🧍♂️↩️Leaning back or pulling away
These are cues to lower heat, not push harder.
Try
“What’s your read on how things have been—lately or in general?”
Why
Lowers pressure; signals interest, not interrogation.
Try
Relax brows, soften eyes, slow your voice slightly.
Why
Signals safety → reduces defensiveness.
Try
“You’ve been on my mind—I wanted to check in.”
Why
Builds trust without pressure.
Try
“All good—just wanted you to know I’m around.”
Why
Signals steady care, not conditional availability.
Try
“If you say you’re thriving on back-to-back Zooms, I’ll know you’re lying.”
Why
Breaks tension; creates shared reality.
🚀 How It Boosts Performance
- 🎯Clear thinking
- ⚡Lower error rates
- 🔄Better communication