TRAITORS IS BACK on television in the UK and it's amazing. What can we learn from Claudia Winkleman's powerful leadership style and how does that translate to our own day-to-day communication?
There are three simple things that Claudia is using that have transformed her from being Tess' sidekick on Strictly (and yes I sobbed too when they both left at Christmas, but enough of that) to being the most infuential and I hope, highest paid BBC Presenter.
Number One - Expansive Body Language.
Take a look at these two photos and just register what you 'feel' about status in each one. The one on the left is taken from Strictly Come Dancing and the one on the right from The Traitors.
left - Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, Strictly Come Dancing, right - Claudia Winkleman and pallbearer, The Traitors
The photo on the left clearly shows Tess Daly as 'high status', Claudia as 'low status' and on the right, Claudia 'high status' and the pallbearer 'low'. We're all body language experts; non-verbal communication is as important as anything we say and I suspect your response was the same but why? Simply put, when we are confident we expand laterally and make ourselves bigger. Tess was the main anchor in Strictly Come Dancing, standing strong and 'still' and Claudia her funny sidekick - shifting about and showing closed, deferential body language.
in contrast just LOOK at that photo on the right; in The Traitors Claudia is seen again and again demonstrating lateral expansion - owning the ground that is underneath her. She's incredibly 'still' for the most part, all suggesting strength and leadership. There's no doubt who's boss - Winkleman is the devilish Queen of the Castle.
How to translate this into your personal communication style...
...when all eyes are on us in meetings and presentations, we instinctively make ourselves smaller to self-protect. Instead, consciously shift the feet a shoulder width apart and if sitting, get the feet firmly planted and whether you're sitting or standing keep the sternum lifted (don't over-expand or over-lift otherwise you'll just look like a bit of a lemon) and keep the face warm (not literally, although it is cold here in the UK in January). When it's your turn to impart important or serious information we need to feel as though you embody it.
Secondly - The voice; what does slow and low say?
In Strictly, Claudia was the comedian, adopting a fast pace and using the higher notes of her voice. We associate 'fast and high' with the voices of children; nothing too serious sits in this range. Lower, slower voices we associate with age and experience and therefore seniority. In The Traitors' round table meetings, Claudia uses the lower notes of her voice and speaks sooooo slowly - it's serious stuff as someone is about to get voted off. When she explains the tasks she's slower and lower - it's VERY serious stuff as they're playing for money. And when she chastises The Faithfuls for not finding The Traitors she's off-the-scale slow and low - really kicking their collective asses.
How to translate this into your personal communication style...
...often we leave meetings missing key messages. Think about what you want us to 'feel'; slowing down, using the lower notes of the voice emphasises the importance of what's being said. Again, don't overdo it - once we see technique on show, we lose credibility, so work it comfortably within your own personal style. Ramp up the speed and get the pitch higher for lighter messages and content. The trick is 'congruent variety' - ie shifts that match what you're saying.
Thirdly - Why do we want to be her to be our 'Bestie' despite all that 'authority'? Because she's relatable and vulnerable.
Here her switch in style is utter genius. The BEST leaders talk less, listen more and show vulnerability and this is the style she adopts when she want to put the contestants at ease - toes tucked in, coy under-the-fringe look - she's literally 'bigging them up' and getting them to talk. Have a little look at her interviewing the contestants in episode one - her voice is fun and light too; she's making them feel safe to talk. Vanessa Van Edwards says 'if you want to be more liked, like more people'. The research she talks about shows that the most liked people have a longer list of people they like. Claudia likes everyone. She's interested in everyone and as a result she's got a longer list of people that like her than most of us.
How to translate this into your personal communication style...
...statuses constantly shift; it's not your job to be pack leader all the time, so adopt a softer style when you want other people to feel comfortable to talk. Palms up suggests that you want interaction, a slight tilt of the head literally lowers status. Ask more questions and be relatable. Nobody likes perfection... we all suspect that Claudia cuts her own fringe, she's confessed on the BBC's 'Would I lie To You?' she used gravy browning in an episode of The Traitors when fake tan wasn't readily available and 'Hoolahoops' are up there with her favourite food. She's not perfect but because of that she sort of IS PERFECT.
Charles H. Green talks about 'intimacy' being the most valuable element of trustworthiness - if you are a leader, share some personal things, invite personal sharing in others, show some vulnerability and bring yourself onto an equal level with those you lead. Pscyhological security is the most valuable thing a leader can promote in a business and sitting on a pedestal is not useful.
So that's it - 3 simple little techniques to help you 'BE MORE CLAUDIA'. or 'CLAUD' as I call her, because I know if she met me she'd want to be my best friend too.