From the course: Management Tips

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Reading body language

Reading body language

When you're speaking to someone or sitting in a meeting, if you really want to understand what someone is saying, their words are only the beginning. You have to listen to the entire person, their words and all of their body language. Give or take, about half of what a person is really saying, comes not through the words they're using but through their body. Sometimes body language supports and enhances what is being said, sometimes body language completely contradicts what is being said. Before we proceed, I'd like to be very clear about the reality of reading people. It's very difficult if not impossible, to know exactly what a person is thinking, or if they're telling the truth don't assume you know. What is possible, consistently and reliably, is determining whether the person is more engaged or less engaged with your conversation, more or less sincere when speaking and more or less nervous in general. What you're looking for are behavioural deviations. The first types are…

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