Fatigue doesn’t always come from long hours or hard problems.
Sometimes it comes from eye rolls.
From slouched shoulders.
From the cross-armed defiance that contradicts a smile.
From the exhale that escapes right after you finish speaking.
fatigue—when a leader’s energy is drained not by the task, but by the dissonance.
Body language that doesn’t match the spoken word is a silent breach of contract.
A team member says, “I’m on board,” while their eyes say, “This is stupid.”
They nod, but the pace of their walk screams, “I’m checked out.”
They speak in agreement, but their folded arms call for distance and defense.
It’s not just exhausting.
It’s disorienting.
Because your brain is trying to lead two teams simultaneously—the one in the room and behind the mask.
But flip it.
When posture aligns with purpose, when presence echoes intention, there’s fuel in that.
Leading a team is more manageable when their body language says, “We’re with you.”
There’s less friction.
Less second-guessing.
Less of the leadership tax paid in emotional currency.
If you want your team to be aligned, start with the mirror.
Your body is always in the room before your voice.
Because bad body language is a cost.
And every leader feels it.
“The body doesn’t lie. When energy and expression collide, it drains trust faster than silence ever could.” – Mike Brewer