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Description

Non-Verbal Communication: Observing Signals, Refining Your Reading and Adjusting

Read what is really happening in a conversation without relying on ready-made interpretation charts

  • 2 days — 14 h
  • In-person or virtual
  • All levels
  • Up to 6 participants

A meeting goes badly and no one can quite say why. The words are consistent, yet something rings false. Conversely, a silent counterpart is assumed to be hostile when they are not. Ready-made interpretation charts circulate widely in organisations. Mostly they lead people to be confidently wrong.

Two days to observe methodically what happens in an exchange, separate the observed fact from the interpretation, test assumptions through dialogue and adjust your own expression. Exercises are based on everyday situations such as the one-to-one review or the tense meeting.

Learning objectives

  • Distinguish the observable fact from the interpretation drawn from it
  • Observe posture, stance, gaze and rhythm in a structured way
  • Identify a mismatch between what is said and how it is expressed
  • Test an assumption with a question rather than a conclusion
  • Adjust your own non-verbal expression to the situation and the stakes

What makes this programme different

Observation practice on filmed sequences before any interpretation
A three-step protocol to move from observation to verification
Work on your own expression, observed and then reviewed with the group

Programme

1Observing Before Interpreting

Separating what I see from what I conclude

  • What non-verbal behaviour indicates and what it does not say
  • Common myths about gestures and their supposed single meaning
  • Building observation around precise points: stance, rhythm, gaze, voice
  • The weight of context, culture and the person's state at that moment

2Registers of Observation

Body, voice and space

  • Posture, stance and use of space
  • Face, gaze and fleeting reactions
  • Voice: pace, volume, pauses and variations
  • Physical distance and the use of objects during the exchange

3From Signal to Verification

Asking the question rather than concluding

  • Spotting a mismatch between the message and its expression
  • Framing an assumption in tentative terms
  • Testing it with an open question without sounding accusatory
  • What to do with a signal you do not understand

4Adjusting Your Own Expression

Being read the way you intend

  • Identifying your stance and distracting mannerisms
  • Aligning your voice, your gaze and your message
  • Adapting your expression to the stakes: difficult announcement, corrective conversation or recognition
  • Practising visible listening in meetings and one-to-one discussions

Who is it for

Anyone whose role relies on face-to-face interaction, in particular managers, sales professionals, recruiters and front-of-house functions

Prerequisites

No prerequisites

Dates & locations

36 scheduled dates between November 2026 and December 2027. Seats are confirmed in the order enquiries are received.

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

February 2027

March 2027

April 2027

May 2027

June 2027

September 2027

October 2027

November 2027

December 2027

None of these dates suit you? We open additional sessions on request, and any programme can be run privately for your team.

Practical details

Before the programme
Online positioning questionnaire. Your development objectives are shared with the trainer, who tailors the practical case studies to your context.
Teaching methods
Theoretical input, workshops and practical case studies. Digital course materials and method sheets provided.
Assessment
Multiple-choice tests and role-play exercises. Assessment of learning at the start and end of the programme, with immediate and 60-day follow-up evaluations.
After the programme
One year of access to the e-learning platform. Self-assessment of the skills acquired and a 30-day follow-up session with your trainer.
How to register
Registration online or on the basis of a quotation.
Lead time
11 working days after confirmation of registration.
Accessibility
Accessible to people of determination. Contact our accessibility coordinator to design a suitable solution: contact@mpf-academy.ae
Start dates
Rolling intake: in addition to the scheduled sessions, this programme can start on request.