Find out what your colleagues think of you...

Your Colleagues Like You If...

They Initiate Conversations
Coffee clicks have gone the way of cigarette breaks – they’re all but extinct. Nowadays most people communicate by email, IM, or phone. “So if your colleagues are chatting you up in the hallway, they’re taking time to break routine to speak to you,” says body language expert Patti Wood. If they avert their eyes or sneak glances at their watches during a conversation, they may not be so into you.

They Offer Feedback
During a one-on-one, does your colleague nod thoughtfully and lean into your conversation? Do the corners of her eyes crinkle when she smiles in response to funny comments you make? “The more animated a person’s face, the more emotionally invested they are in the conversation,” says Tonya Reiman, author of The Power of Body Language.

They’re Smooth Talkers
“People deviate from their normal speech patterns when they’re nervous or uncomfortable,” says body language expert Maryann Karinch, co-author of How to Spot a Liar. Someone who normally speaks at a leisurely pace might become a speed talker, while a person who usually talks quickly might pause for long moments. If they enjoy your company, you won’t notice a change in their vocal stride.

Your Colleagues Respect You If...

They Keep Quiet
Asking for your opinion – that’s a no-brainer. But letting you take control of a conversation is a less obvious way to show how much they care about what you have to say. “You can see the degree to which other people respect you by observing how often they look to you for a reaction or a cue,” says psychologist Ann Demarais, co-author of First Impressions: What You Don’t Know About How Others See You. “And when a problem arises, they turn to face you.”

They Make Room For You
“When you sit down at a meeting, see if your neighbours move their stuff closer to themselves and out of your way, or push their chair back a bit to give you more room,” Demarais says. “That shows respect.”

They Copy You
What they say about imitation and flattery is true: “Subconsciously, we try to mirror people we like and respect,” Reiman says. So if you notice your colleague mimicking your movements – for example, picking up her pen or cupping her chin with her hand when you do – she probably admires you.

A Colleague Has A Crush On You If...

He Goes The Extra Mile
He spends an hour trying to fix your frozen computer, gives up his chair at a crowded conference room table, or offers to pick you up a latte during his afternoon coffee run. Maybe he’s just an incredibly nice guy – but more likely, he’s into you.

He Drops Your Name
Saying things like “Hi, Jane,” or “How are you doing, Jane?” may seem like common courtesy, but it’s actually an intimate gesture. Consider it the verbal equivalent of a touch on the arm – a way to get more personal.

He’s A Stand-Up Guy
In the civilised world as in the wild, strong, physically imposing alpha males have the best shot at mating. So men instinctively want to make themselves seem bigger and badder around women they’re interested in, Reiman says. If he suddenly stops slouching and puffs out his chest when he’s around you (the old “I’m just stretching my arms” routine), take note – he may have a crush.