Communicating EffectivelyCreating connection
How to build social sensitivity
How to build social sensitivity
5 minutes
This is the practical how-to leaders can use immediately.
1
Notice: Pay attention to emotional cues
Social sensitivity starts with awareness.
Look for:
• Changes in tone, pace or energy
• Shifts in participation or engagement
• Non-verbal signals like withdrawal, defensiveness, fidgeting or tension
• Interactions between team members that feel “off”
Try it:
In your next meeting, choose one person to observe more closely. What cues do you notice when they’re comfortable vs. when they’re not?
Look for:
• Changes in tone, pace or energy
• Shifts in participation or engagement
• Non-verbal signals like withdrawal, defensiveness, fidgeting or tension
• Interactions between team members that feel “off”
Try it:
In your next meeting, choose one person to observe more closely. What cues do you notice when they’re comfortable vs. when they’re not?
2
Interpret: Consider the context
Rather than jumping to conclusions, pause and ask yourself:
• What else might be going on for them?
• What pressure, workload, or personal context could be influencing this behaviour?
• Is this new, or a pattern?
Interpretation is not about assuming - it’s about considering possibilities with empathy.
• What else might be going on for them?
• What pressure, workload, or personal context could be influencing this behaviour?
• Is this new, or a pattern?
Interpretation is not about assuming - it’s about considering possibilities with empathy.
3
Respond: Adjust your behaviour
This is where social sensitivity becomes leadership.
You might:
• Ask a gentle check-in question (“Everything okay today?”)
• Slow the conversation down
• Offer support, flexibility or clarity
• Acknowledge the emotion (“It sounds like this has been tough.”)
• Name what you’re noticing (“I’m sensing some tension - can we pause and explore it?”)
Small adjustments change the entire emotional climate.
You might:
• Ask a gentle check-in question (“Everything okay today?”)
• Slow the conversation down
• Offer support, flexibility or clarity
• Acknowledge the emotion (“It sounds like this has been tough.”)
• Name what you’re noticing (“I’m sensing some tension - can we pause and explore it?”)
Small adjustments change the entire emotional climate.
4
Check In: Confirm your understanding
Instead of assuming you’ve interpreted correctly, ask:
• “Did I get that right?”
• “How are you feeling about this now?”
• “What support would be most helpful?”
This step prevents misinterpretation.
• “Did I get that right?”
• “How are you feeling about this now?”
• “What support would be most helpful?”
This step prevents misinterpretation.
5
Build the Habit: Practise micro-moments daily
Social sensitivity is not a once-a-month behaviour - it’s woven into everyday interactions.
Try:
• One meaningful check-in per day
• Pausing before responding in emotionally charged moments
• Journaling what you noticed and how you responded
• Observing team dynamics in meetings, not just the content
Try:
• One meaningful check-in per day
• Pausing before responding in emotionally charged moments
• Journaling what you noticed and how you responded
• Observing team dynamics in meetings, not just the content
This Framework walks you through the steps to turn strategy into clear, meaningful objectives. Use it to create a strong line of sight for your team and ensure everyone understands how their work contributes to the bigger picture.
by
Hellomonday