Avoid Resting Murder Face To Build Better Relationships

When you are just listening or thinking what is your natural facial expression? Do you look like you want to murder someone? In the world of Medical Affairs, body language matters a lot. MSLs have the job of building trusting relationships with HCPs/KOLs. In this situation, it’s especially important to be aware of your body language and the way it is making others feel. You might not even be aware of the impact your body language is having on your ability to build relationships. Keep reading for tips on how to avoid resting murder face to build better relationships.

What is Resting Murder Face?

 

According to Urban Dictionary, resting murder face is, “When your natural resting expression appears so angry that people who do not know you, and even those who do at times, believe you may soon murder someone.”

I’ve received feedback several times in my life that made me realize that I have a resting murder face. My lab mates used to think I was angry all the time and my partner would always ask what was wrong. I wasn’t angry and nothing was wrong. The resting position of my face is just naturally very angry looking.

With awareness, I have been able to soften my facial expressions when listening and make sure people don’t feel like I am angry. Having this awareness is something that MSLs can implement right away and improve their ability to connect with others.

Avoid Resting Murder Face to Build Better Relationships

 

The impression that your facial expressions are giving is so important for MSLs because it impacts an MSL’s ability to build relationships and uncover insights. Great MSL insights include the why (learn more with some examples that do NOT include the why). It’s not trivial to build a relationship with busy HCPs and get them to share so that the why can be uncovered. An MSL often works for months to get to this point. If yourthat goal is to get an HCP to open up to you and share their motivations, you want your body language to feel welcoming and open. Or at a minimum not angry or murderous.

Here’s how to avoid resting murder face to build better relationships. Start paying attention to your facial expressions. What emotion are you conveying? The best way to do this is to look at recordings of yourself giving a presentation. Do you look friendly and approachable? Pay attention to the Q&A session. This is when someone may be asking you a really hard question and you are paying close attention. It is also likely when your resting murder face or other unwanted facial expression will come out.

Study others as well. When you see someone who is very approachable, try to determine what is making them so approachable. Do they have a friendly expression on their face? Is it the way they gesture?

Conclusions: Avoid Resting Murder Face to Build Better Relationships

 

Soft skills training typically includes reading others’ body language but often skips over the impact your body language is having on others. Use this trick of watching videos of yourself to pick up on your own facial expressions. Make sure you have a facial expression that is not disrupting your ability to connect with others. It can have a huge impact on how others (HCPs and KOLs) feel around you and if they decide to open up or not.

Avoid Resting Murder Face to Build Better Relationships

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