Building Trust and Empathy to Enhance Relationships with Pamela Barnum

“Trust is the most critical and essential ingredient in business,” explains Pamela Barnum, a trust strategist and body language expert. Her professional experience, especially as a former undercover police officer and federal prosecuting attorney, has led her to a deeper understanding of the critical role authenticity plays in forming close relationships.

Barnum joins RE/MAX CEO Adam Contos on this week’s episode of Start With a Win to discuss navigating nonverbal communication when human interaction has gone digital.

Adapting to life online and working more from home has meant switching from a 3D world to a 2D world, eliminating opportunity to use body language in the process of building trusting relationships. The lack of handshakes, eye contact and visible posture makes it difficult to feel an immediate connection, especially when it comes to meeting someone for the first time, she says.

Barnum – known for her popular TEDx Talk “What Drug Dealers Taught Me About Trust” – shares her best nonverbal communication tips for professionals who want to foster a warmer presence on video calls. Simple action items include situating the camera at eye level, keeping both feet planted on the ground and dressing for the professionalism of the specific meeting.

Tune in to the full Start With a Win episode to hear why showing empathy is the cornerstone for all good communication and how understanding someone’s unique perspective plays a significant role in being a successful negotiator.