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Published:
June 29, 2015

Body Language For Dummies

Overview

Are your words and your body telling the same story? Discover the impact that nonverbal behavior has on communication

Much of a message’s meaning comes through what’s not being said. To master the art of clear communication, you need to be able to read others’ body language and remain mindful of the messages your own gestures, movements, and facial expressions are sending. Body Language For Dummies shows you how to interpret nonverbal cues at work and in your personal life. With the help of this easy-to-follow Dummies guide, you can navigate the gap between words and meaning—even in multicultural settings. Plus, this updated edition goes virtual, with new insights demonstrating the significance of facial expressions and body language in online vs. in-person meetings.

  • Gain insight into other people’s thoughts, feelings, and intentions
  • Develop an awareness of how your body language influences others’ opinions
  • Make the camera your friend during virtual meetings
  • Learn tips and tricks to uncover people’s real attitudes and motivations

If you want to better understand others and improve your own communication skills (and who doesn’t?), this is the Dummies book for you.

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About The Author

Elizabeth Kuhnke is the founder of Kuhnke Communication, which specializes in interpersonal communication. Elizabeth runs workshops, training courses, and coaching programs as well as speaking at business conferences and international events. She is the author of Body Language: Learn How to Read Others and Communicate with Confidence and Communication Skills For Dummies.

Sample Chapters

body language for dummies

CHEAT SHEET

Want to find out more about how to be the person you’ve always wanted to be? This Cheat Sheet tells you how to act "as if." Explore how to behave without giving the game away. Try a few easy exercises that will strengthen your body.Acting 'as if' to become who you want to beYou don’t have to be an actor to act “as if.

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Articles from
the book

You don’t have to be an actor to act ‘as if’. You just have to act ‘as if’ you are. The more you act ‘as if’ you are that person, the more you become that person. Below are a few tips for getting you started on the path of becoming the person you long to be. Begin by asking yourself, ‘What do people in control do?
Want to find out more about how to be the person you’ve always wanted to be? This Cheat Sheet tells you how to act "as if." Explore how to behave without giving the game away. Try a few easy exercises that will strengthen your body.Acting 'as if' to become who you want to beYou don’t have to be an actor to act “as if.
A fit, firm, and flexible body enhances your ability to communicate with confidence and control. Below are a few exercises to help you improve your body’s ability to communicate your thoughts, feelings, and intentions. Before undertaking any form of exercise, lightly stretch your muscles to prevent injury. Gently roll your head and shoulders, slowly twist your torso from side to side, and stretch your limbs out wide.
In a diversified world in which you frequently communicate with people from countries and cultures different from your own, anticipating and sidestepping nationalistic landmines is as vital a skill as being adept at reading, writing and arithmetic. Unless, of course, you’re content and comfortable making faux pas, insulting others and demonstrating a lack of knowledge and respect, in which case, keep calm and carry on.
What you think about yourself is true for you and becomes your reality. Whether intentional or not, your body’s movements reflect your self-beliefs. Your subtle and not-so-subtle facial expressions, gestures, and postures reveal how you think and feel about yourself and govern how other people think and feel about you.
An unconscious movement, an inadvertent gesture or an unwitting facial expression can give your game away faster than a speeding bullet. Below are a few tips for containing and controlling your body’s movements. Breathe with consciousness. Be aware of the air entering and leaving your body. Breathe slowly and deeply, allowing the nurturing oxygen to calm your nervous energy.
Whether you’re pursing, pinching or pouting, sneering, snarling or snapping, your mouth’s muscles are hard at work conveying myriad messages without you uttering a word. If in doubt, consider the actresses Dame Maggie Smith and Angelina Jolie. Dame Maggie’s mouth makes lips resembling a puckered prune synonymous with pride and disapproval while Jolie’s pillow-like pout conveys the promise of pleasurable possibilities.
In-laws, out-laws, whatever you want to call them, these are the people who might view you with suspicion, distrust, and outright resentment. These are the people who can make your life miserable or magnificent. These are the people whose favor you want to garner. How you behave towards them influences how they behave towards you.
Body language reveals a lot about how you are feeling. Before you’ve spoken at a job interview, interviewers will already have formed judgements based on your posture, gestures and facial expressions. There are a number of techniques you can use to make a positive impression and project confidence, commitment and credibility.
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