One important facet of leadership is the ability to accurately observe others and understand how they are feeling.
Work performances are mirrored in work feelings.
Work feelings are mirrored in work performances.
When you observe positive body language that is an indicator people are working in their strengths zones...and that is also an indicator performance is on track toward desired goals.
When you observe negative body language that is an indicator people are not working in their strengths zones...and that is also an indicator performance is not on track toward desired goals.
As examples...
ENTHUSIASTIC Zone
If you see faces that look like these then your people are in the ENTHUSIASTIC Zone. When you see faces like these at your workplace you will be prone to return the broad smile. You will know people are inspired about work...self-motivated because they are putting their strengths to good use. Enthusiastic people are treasures. Enthusiastic people get it done. Enthusiastic people pave the path for others around them to self-motivate.
ENJOYMENT Zone
If you see faces that look like these then your people are in the ENJOYMENT Zone. Leaders cannot and should not expect people to be enjoying or enthusiastic about their work all the time. However, it is essential that faces of enjoyment are seen regularly. That is the best signal a leader can receive that work-in-progress is being done with strength and that work is likely to achieve desired goals.
ACCEPTANCE Zone
If you see faces that look like these then your people are in the ACCEPTANCE Zone. Many people accept work as a necessary evil. Work is the thing they do to get money to pay for the things they'd far rather be doing. People in the ACCEPTANCE Zone can be engaged...but that wears off quickly. Often, they become soft-voiced, behind-the-scenes complainers and that can annoy other folks.
HO-HUM Zone
If you see faces that look like these then your people are in the HO-HUM Zone. When people look like this they are going through the motions. Their work may be satisfactory, but it will never be impressive. These sorts of faces can be contagious; they let co-workers down; they are deadwood. And, if it is possible at all, something significant has to happen to shake these people out of their doldrums.
UNCOMFORTABLE Zone
If you see faces that look like these then your people are in the UNCOMFORTABLE Zone. These sorts of faces are often linked with loud and regular complaints, aches and pains and absenteeism. These faces can be the antidote for enthusiasm and enjoyment. Fear exists behind these faces. One of the fears: people know when they are not operating from strengths zones. Yet, most times, they refuse to accept it or admit it. Leaders must address these faces...help the people overcome their fears or sooner rather than later help them off the bus.
DISTRESS Zone
If you see faces that look like these faces then your people are in the DISTRESS Zone. They are not working in their strengths zones. Continued work under distress is pretty much guaranteed to result in very poor performance, failure to meet goals, and strained-to-broken interpersonal relationships. Perhaps most people suffer distress from time to time. We all have bad days, many have very bad days. Infrequent incidents of distress are not necessarily a major problem. However, when you see faces of distress frequently or on a continuous basis that is a huge warning sign...something MUST be done! The leader holds the obligation to take/help with remedial action.