Good negotiators are attuned to all stimuli and not just the verbal and written information exchanged. Tone of voice, body language, facial expressions and other clues from TOP are noticed, and with experience and knowledge, interpreted correctly. This interpretation may also involve knowledge of culture norms and values. A smile, a 'yes' and the type of hospitality received, (in the business context), can mean very different things in different international business cultures.

Trained negotiators will consider non-verbal communication (such as nodding and smiling) and body language as one source of signal from TOP, but will rarely rely wholly on this as a guide towhat TOP is thinking or feeling. Furthermore, international and regional cultural considerations must be included here to avoid errors in interpretation. Emotional intelligence also has an important role in forming a more holistic perspective of what TOP may be thinking or feeling.