August Read/2

Title: What Every Body Is Saying: An Ex-FBI Agent’s Guide to Speed-Reading People

Author: Joe Navarro

Subjects: Body Language; Nonverbal Communication

Dewey Call Number: 153.69 N322W 2008

Summary: At the back of the book, it states: Read this book and you will discover the following: The ancient survival instincts that drive body language. Why the face is the least likely place to gauge a person’s true feelings. What thumbs, feet, and eyelids reveal about moods and motives. The most powerful behaviors that reveal our confidence and true sentiments. Simple nonverbals that instantly establish trust and communicate authority. Overall, the author explains how to “speed-read” people: decode sentiments and behaviors, avoid hidden pitfalls, and look for deceptive behaviors. Useful terms you might have interest: Duchenne Smile, Limbic Brain, Nonverbal Behaviors

My Read: Do you ever wonder why certain people would earn your friendship and trust right away at your very first encounter? Or do you ever blame yourself for misread certain people and find yourself a victim of cunning deception? Though technology seems to dominate the twenty-first century allowing people to “meet” and “connect” in the cyberspace, a virtual world sprawling of hidden or unknown identities, we, human beings with flesh and blood loaded with plenty and variety of emotions, feelings, and sentiments are still in need of in-person interactions. Body language, aka nonverbal behaviors, is a universal language coming from survival skills without obvious barrier like any spoken languages. To able to well communicate by nonverbal language is a skill worth acquiring, learning, and practicing.

     There are two things I personally discover helpful and interesting. One is the recognition and appreciation of the gravity-defying behaviors of arms, face, and legs/feet. They are implication of positive feelings of people demonstrating such gestures. As the author points out that the most honest part of our body is the feet. People who are positive and excited would bounce their foot back and forth revealing their hidden joy and excitement though they might be able to conceal this from being seen on their face. Another helpful tip I gain from reading this book is to correct my own body language. Books and people repeatedly state the importance of positive thinking. But how? We might be able to turn around the table by correcting our own body language. So, look at the mirror and see what you see. Do you see your thumb showing instead of hidden in the pocket when you place your hands in your pant pocket? If not, correct it and see how it makes you feel.

     At the back of the book, it says “You’ll also learn how your body language can influence what your boss, family, friends, and strangers think of you. INFLUENCE is everyone, everyday, and everywhere!!!