Elias started with his body language. Usually, he crossed his arms or leaned back, creating distance. Today, he made a conscious effort to keep his hands visible and his torso angled toward the door. When a customer walked in, he didn't just look up; he paused his task for one second.
The clock on the wall at “The Daily Grind” ticked with a rhythmic, mechanical judgment. Behind the counter stood Elias, a man whose resting face was often mistaken for a storm cloud. He was efficient, brilliant at latte art, and completely unapproachable. Customers tended to lower their voices when he was on shift, and his coworkers took the long way around the espresso machine to avoid his "vibe." approachability
The Result: Sarah, the woman with the catering request, came back. She walked straight to Elias this time. "I was going to ask Leo," she admitted, "but you seem… I don't know, like you have a second today." The Takeaway Elias started with his body language