Looking at Facial Expressions

Facial Expressions can be helpful. But just because someone looks angry or annoyed, it doesn't mean that they necessarily are. Nor does it mean that they're necessary not.

• Your boss is looking at you with a particularly sour face - Is it because of something you did? Something you didn't do? Or a residual from an especially tart bottle of grapefruit juice s/he just finished?

• A peer can't help notice your furrowed brow and white-hot glare - Is it because you're displeased with something s/he did? Or didn't do? Or is it a residual from a dressing-down you just got from your boss?

Contextual clues can help. Is your boss holding an empty juice box, or a scathing complaint letter about you? Are you glaring at your co-worker of just staring absently into space? The clues provide cues.

But it's also helpful to verify your impression. "Are you mad at me for some reason?" asks your co-worker. "You?" you reply, "Heavens no. I was thinking about a terrible meeting I had with my boss earlier today." "Is that letter about me?" you ask your boss. "Yes it is - and it concerns me greatly."

A simple question can go a long way to avoiding all sorts of misunderstandings. As can some additional research. Here are some steps you can take:

• Visit a webpage called, "Facial Expressions of Emotion." It offers an interactive demonstration of how changing the look of a person's eyes or mouth changes what we infer about his/her mood. Notice what you notice.
• Spend the week focusing on facial expressions. You'll no doubt find that some people look grumpy even when they're not and others look cheerful even when they're not. Notice who tends to do what?
• Spend some time looking at yourself in the mirror. Notice your natural expression and how might it (or might not) accurately reflect whatever mood you're in.

Do your facial expressions help or hinder what you try to do?