10 I Can Read You Like a Book
This book will satisfy desires similar to those listed while I give
you a step-by-step guide to reading body language and using it to
affect emotions, including your own and other people’s.
Have you ever walked into a room and had someone greet you
in a personal way, but you didn’t recognize her? Instantly, no matter
how well your voice mimics familiarity, that individual knows you
have no idea who she is. Not a great way to start a meeting, wed-
ding reception, or a class reunion. If you knew little about body
language, you could easily convince her that you did recognize her.
If you knew a little more, you could put her at ease so quickly
that she would tell you about herself, giving you distinct advantages
in whatever conversation or negotiations ensued.
Turn the tables: She does not know who you are, but uses the
fact that most people cannot admit memory lapse to get closer to
you.
Most people who are good at reading body language can’t tell
you how they do it. They have not codified their instinctive ability,
so the skills are not transferable. My edge over other interrogators,
and the reason I was eventually hired to train them, has always
been understanding why certain techniques work and, being able to
replicate the effect. It’s a sense of causality between action and
reaction.
You will not find my approach to the subject of body language,
or even much of the vocabulary I use, in psychology textbooks. My
academic background is not what shaped my expertise. It’s my
experience in the field of battle, in conducting countless training