Notes From A People Watcher
Awkward Penguin Vibes are So Last Year!
I relate to “awkward penguin vibes” more than I’d care to admit. It’s largely why I started studying body language. With that in mind I thought I’d share five tips to use on a daily basis because being awkward isn’t...
Read MoreAre you a Marigold or a Walnut Tree?
I was recently exposed to a new way of viewing people and wanted to share it with you! So I must ask you a question, “Are you a Marigold or a Walnut Tree?” Dance with the Marigold Effect Picture this: ...
Read MorePresentation Insights from a Stitch Fix Adventure
The Art of Curating a Presentation: Insights from My Stitch Fix Adventure I love to shop. But my grown children don’t. My daughter has clear opinions on what she wears and the items I “hunt and gather” for her rarely make the cut. And...
Read MoreThat time I walked right past Pink!
That time I walked right past Pink! (Face palm) How did I manage to pull that one off? Well… Our family was vacationing in Ontario and decided to check out Graffiti Alley and Kensington Market after a morning of biking. I was hot,...
Read MoreAdding a dash of YOU into digital interactions
It’s time to embrace… Punctuation, emojis, and gifs as personality amplifiers in the digital world. Why? Because tone matters. And it’s the punctuation, emojis, and gifs that make the difference. 1. Punctuation Punctuation marks may seem mundane, but they’re “kind of a...
Read MoreDigital Etiquette: A Home Makeover for the Online World
I love me some HGTV. I’ve lost days to home makeover shows and will surely lose more as I insist on watching them whenever our family stays in a hotel. Simply put, I find “before and after’s” quite satisfying. And...
Read MoreNonverbal Alchemy!
Nonverbal Alchemy! A little bit of this, a pinch of that, and a dash of a few other things and voila, you’ve created some irresistible magic! When it comes to recognizing cues, our brain knows what it’s doing. So why...
Read MoreBeyond the Handshake: Techniques to Elevate Your Networking Game
Techniques to Elevate Your Networking Game I don’t know about you but 2023 has provided me with a lot more networking opportunities. And since networking can be both fun and terrifying at the same time, here are two of my...
Read MorePolly wants a video call, not a cracker!
Polly wants a video call, not a cracker! Humans benefit from socializing with each other, and birds do, too! According to a recent study, parrots benefit from socializing with other birds, just like humans benefit from socializing with each other. And...
Read MoreAre you guilty of phubbing?
Are you guilty of phubbing? Let’s talk about it. First things first. Do you know what phubbing is? It’s the word mash-up for “phone snubbing” The definition goes something like this: The habit of ignoring someone in front of you...
Read MorePlaying The Hand You’re Dealt
“Well, at least feeling this way allowed us to work on our personalities! People skills are ageless and have served us well” I say to the woman helping me with my purchase. She gives me a knowing nod. The Backstory. I’m at a department...
Read MoreHow I’m Using Body Doubling
“Okay, see you in 20 minutes,” I say before turning off my Zoom camera, setting my “Time Timer” and getting to work. For the last several months, my speaker Mastermind has gotten together weekly to check in and get things done. We...
Read MoreWe All Know That One Person…
You wonder… Why are some people so charismatic and some… just not? You notice that… James repels customers while Jada pulls them in like a gigantic magnet. Amy seems so shifty. You just never know what to expect from her! Heather makes you feel very small every time...
Read MoreBalsamic Vinegar & A Punch In The Face
A few weeks ago I had an unfortunate accident. I spilled a bottle of balsamic vinegar and some olive oil in the backseat of my car. The upholstery is fabric. Oh, snap! After a futile attempt to clean the spill,...
Read MoreWhen The Earthquake Hits…
“Whoa, pause the movie,” I say to my husband. We are midway through the movie “The Banshees of Inisherin” when the text comes through. Our “faraway daughter” from Turkey is messaging us that she has just experienced a massive earthquake and is...
Read MoreIt Took A Chicken
It Took A chicken After nearly 10 years, it happened. Our beloved pet chicken passed away. Her name was Georgia, and she was the last of our brood of five. And in true pet-owner fashion, we fell in love with...
Read More“No capes! -Edna Mode
Allow me to introduce you to Edna Mode. If you’ve seen the movie “The Incredibles”, you are already aware of Edna’s presence. If you haven’t seen the movie…let me fill you in. Edna is a supporting character in both “The...
Read MoreWanna Hear A Story?
Storytime. We are drawn to what we need. Hello there, friend! A new year often generates reflection (and if you are me, promises to pass on desserts) which got me thinking about my journey to body language. Here’s my story… (aka “How...
Read MoreFeeling Like You Don’t Fit In?
Feeling Like You Don’t Fit In? Often clients are surprised to learn that I am inherently shy and insecure. Growing up I would watch the Christmas special, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (no heckling about my age!) and always get a lump in my throat...
Read MoreYeah, I Didn’t Get Tickets Either
“Tickets go on sale shortly for the Taylor Swift concert. If I get through, how many tickets should I try to get,” my husband says over the phone. A few minutes later I received the following screenshot text with the caption, “Not looking good”....
Read MoreDo You Like To Snoop?
Raise your hand if you’ve ever been to someone’s house only to discover they are nothing like you’d imagined them to be. Is your hand up? Perhaps it was: A co-worker’s home that didn’t align with their work personality (What? Sally...
Read MoreLessons From A Montréal Pâtisserie
Lessons From A Montréal Pâtisserie “In English, please”, I say as I try to figure out how to order my coffee and pastry. It shouldn’t be this hard but the line at the shop is long and I can’t figure out what...
Read MoreYour Favorite Coffee Cup Is Talking!
What is your favorite coffee cup saying to you? This question feels like a setup for a joke to which I reply, my coffee mug is saying, “Looks like you have a latte on your mind” (insert snare drum rimshot) Hilarity aside,...
Read MoreHow This Woman Is Making People Take Her Seriously
A Case Study. Recently I was shown a TikTok and just about choked on my leftover mushroom and black olive pizza while watching the woman give her 3-minute masterclass on confidence. The woman’s name is Katie Tucci and she happens to be a 5’2″ blonde woman who has...
Read MoreTeam Realism or Cubism?
Realism or Cubism? Pushed to choose, put me in the Cubism category. Ask my husband the same question and he’ll shout Realism without pause. Why? We view art differently. I love art, ideas, design, and being creative. To me, seeing...
Read MoreCan You Relate To My Covid Binge?
My 2.5 Year Covid Free Streak Ended In August. And while I felt lousy (even my teeth hurt!), I’m not one to squander a golden opportunity for binge-watching TV! My demand for mindless entertainment did cheer me up. The Great Pottery Thrown...
Read MoreNever Have I Ever…
Never Have I Ever… Put a finger down if you’ve ever done ANY of the following: Phubbed (ignored someone in order to pay attention to your phone or device) Multitasked while on a Zoom call (like looking at another screen and your...
Read MoreHow I Knew The Coffee Connection Would Be Different
“I’d love to meet for coffee” the email reads but it ends differently than all the networking coffee connections I’ve ever received. Attached to the email is the gif below. Seeing this made me know I would enjoy my time connecting...
Read MoreThe Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon
“Out, damned spot; out, I say.” –Lady Macbeth (and Kristin Bock) “When is the last time someone cleaned that bathroom?!” I whisper to my family while sitting down to eat. We are at a fast food restaurant and my daughter and I have just...
Read MoreWhen Your Brain Is On Constant Replay!
“Some teenagers approached me while I was out on my walk and said that a woman had made racial slurs towards them. The one kid looked like he was about to cry”, my 81-year-old dad tells me over the phone. I immediately begin...
Read MoreTurning On The “Like Switch”- How I Got Our Oven Fixed
“How would you like to be unable to cook at home for two months?” my husband says in an exasperated tone into the phone. He’s been on hold and passed around with customer service reps for hours and his patience is wearing...
Read MoreWhy Fluffy Towels & Pillows Matter
Details. It’s the little things that matter. I’ll admit it. I’m an HGTV junkie. Whenever our family stays in a hotel, they know to immediately find me the HGTV channel. #ParentingGoals Simply put, I love a good makeover. Shows that...
Read MoreThe Undercover Boss Fantasy
“Do you know the show, Undercover Boss?”, an employee asks during a class I’m teaching. I smile and nod knowingly for the 1,593 time. In my previous life (aka pre-entrepreneurship), I was an employee trainer and the “Undercover Boss” fantasy came...
Read MoreMeet “Hide the Pain Harold”
Meet Harold. A week ago I had never heard of “Hide the Pain Harold” and now I can’t get enough of him! I’ll put the video of his story below but will recap “Harold’s ” story in bullet points in case...
Read MoreLessons From The “Taco Guy ” Lady
I’m late to the party… But hey, I’ve arrived and am dying to plop some storytelling goodness in your lap whether you are wearing white pants or not. I recently discovered Elyse Myers, of Tik Tok fame, and can’t get enough...
Read MoreDid you know Madeleine Albright did this?
Did you know Madeleine Albright had a pin collection that she used to strategically, and nonverbally, indicate her views? I didn’t. But I think it’s a really cool idea! With Madeleine Albright’s funeral being held in Washington yesterday, I wanted...
Read MoreChanneling Paul McCartney
Epic mom fail #3,509,671. I’m at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with my daughter and exchange student. We are taking in all of the music goodness and settling in to watch the “Get Back to Let It Be” The Beatles Exhibit video footage. ...
Read MoreBecoming A Self Cleaning Oven
“You know mom, I think she’s a lot like a self cleaning oven,” Angie says sipping her tea. Angie (aka Pelangi) is our “far-away daughter” from Indonesia. We hosted her as an exchange student 11 years ago and now she...
Read MoreWhy Compliments Matter
Last Tuesday was a long day. I presented to about 2,200 middle school students to help them make a great first impression before heading into a youth career expo. The day involved me working with groups of about 200-300 students at...
Read MoreLabels and First Impressions
Have you ever met someone only to learn later they are not who you thought? I saw the video below several years ago and was reminded of it again recently during a conversation with a friend. And it got me...
Read MoreMy Latest Scare And Why People Skills Matter!
My sister and I are besties so when she shared some scary medical things that were going on with her, the panic inside me started to grow. Weirdly, one of my first thoughts was the famous Patrick Swayze quote from the movie “Dirty Dancing”… I guess the protective...
Read MoreLessons From A Flooded Bathroom
“Noooooo” I shout as I enter my office and discover my computer drenched in a pool of water. I grab towels and do my best to quickly mop up the mess but when I tip my computer over, water comes pouring out....
Read MoreWe All Know That One Person…
We All Know That One Person… You wonder… Why are some people so charismatic and some… just not? You notice that… Can you relate? James repels customers while Jada pulls them in like a gigantic magnet. Amy seems so shifty. You just never know what...
Read MoreWhat Word Comes To Mind When You Think Of Betty White?
Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday, dear Betty Happy birthday to you! Yes, January 17th marks Betty White’s birthday, and it has officially been named “Betty White Day” in Oak Park, Illinois. When asked to describe...
Read MoreReverse Engineering Charisma
It was love at first viewing. On New Year’s Day, I started binge-watching– Bon Appetit’s, “Reverse Engineering” with Chris Morocco. The premise. Supertaster Chris Morocco is challenged to recreate a recipe from a celebrity chef. The Catch? He is not allowed to see...
Read MoreHow To Immediately Become A Hero
As discussed in our previous installment of how to be “fabulous to a new co-worker” (or any person!), saving them from social awkwardness is the key to success. The minute you swoop in with your welcoming words and actions, the...
Read MoreHow To Welcome A New Employee
A girl walks into a bar. She scans the room and doesn’t recognize a soul. She feels uncomfortable. She wants to leave. But she can’t. The end. I would insert a punch line here but sadly, this isn’t a joke....
Read MoreWhat’s Your Speech Bubble Saying About You?
We all do it. We meet someone and immediately form an opinion about them. Imagine a speech bubble popping up over a person’s head and a word being inserted in it: Words like: Friend Foe Indifference Rich Powerful Generic Influential...
Read MoreDo People Like You?
Do They Really, Really Like You? Here’s the deal, we are hard-wired to belong and connect. (Hello there Sally Field Oscar’s speech “You like me, you really like me!”). I ran across an interesting study. We all need to belong. ...
Read MoreI Cheated On My Hairdresser!
It’s complicated. I was with my hairdresser for over 25 years when she fell in love and up and moved out of state. This had me back on my heels but the stylist she recommended within the salon agreed to “take me on”...
Read MoreHave You Seen the Squid Game?!
“Okay, you’re in charge of picking out the show”, I say to Ceren, our exchange student. It’s been a hectic day and our family has just decided to cap off our day with a show. “Let’s get everything done and meet...
Read MoreSpilling The Tea On Charisma!
Last week we talked about the importance of waking other people’s brains up and I left you with a cliffhanger wondering how we do just that. Clearly, it’s been a loooonnnngggg week of waiting for you so… Let’s get right...
Read MoreIs Tiffany Haddish Right?
It’s hard to be mad when you’re laughing. I’m late to the party as I only recently discovered Tiffany Haddish (Ahem, older, white woman alert). I’ve seen Tiffany interviewed several times on TV and have listened to her twice on podcasts...
Read MoreBe Afraid Of Me Because I Am A Wolf!
This tweet is giving me life. “There is a petite, blonde 5yo in my yard with her hands on her hips, yelling at my 7- and 10-yo boys to BE AFRAID OF ME BECAUSE I AM A WOLF!!!! and I...
Read MoreIt’s Hard to Hug a Cactus
“I’ll just have a Coke,” I say to the bartender. “And I’ll have a hard cider,” my husband adds. The bartender takes our order while looking simultaneously annoyed and disappointed by our requests. I smile, comment on the baseball game, and try...
Read MoreBody Language of a Door
Have you seen these a’door’able signs on your neighbors front doors? There are two in my neighborhood and I’m always struck by their welcoming vibe. Question. Can something so simple really change our perceptions? Answer. If I’m knocking on someone’s door for the first...
Read MoreDidn’t Get The Memo? Those Pesky Unspoken Rules!
Ever feel like you didn’t get the memo? Recently our family was vacationing and I used Uber for the first time *well aware of your silent judgment* causing me to experience the “memo moment”. You know, when you are the only...
Read MoreSmall Talk Bait
“I just think it’s so funny. If they were conducting the same experiment but there were no cameras, they get 100 years in prison…It’s like sex trafficking”. -John Wilson talking about watching “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” on Conan O’Brien’s podcast This was the...
Read MorePuppets, People, & Trust
Trust Me! Lessons From A Puppet Time to focus your body language laser beam because there’s a current deteriorating trust trend right up there with those regrettable trends of the past… (Think bad hairstyles like the asymmetrical cut, mullets, big hair,...
Read MoreFeeling Squirrelly?
“Kristin, I just saw my first squirrel!” -Ceren, our exchange student from Turkey I don’t know why I’m surprised to hear this comment because every exchange our family has ever hosted has said the same thing. EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. *claps hands for...
Read MoreA Public Service Announcement–I’m Looking At You Andrew Cuomo!
In light of recent events, *ahem, I’m looking at you Andrew Cuomo*, I’ve decided to pull out my yellow, Stanley retractable tape measure and gently remind humans of the unspoken rules that we need to abide by. Respect People’s Need For Space. The...
Read MoreHow I Got 10 Extra Minutes Paragliding
“Well someone certainly turned on the like switch” my son wryly says as I walk up and greet my family after my tandem paragliding session. “Yep”, I reply while matching his wry smile. Our family spent the last week vacationing in California...
Read MoreWhy I’m Nodding and Saying Umm-hmm
“So do you have plans with your friends this evening?” I ask my daughter on our drive home from her tennis practice. “Mom! I already told you this morning. Did you even listen?” Sadly this type of situation has happened more times...
Read MoreLessons From a Tandem Bike Ride
“So what do you think, are you up for a tandem bike ride?” my husband asks over the phone. “Sure”, I say, “what time and who’s all going?” “I’m not sure but he has four tandem bikes so my guess...
Read MoreI Loved Getting This Voice Message
”Hi Kristin, I’m so happy to hear your voice, it really helped me feel more relaxed! I’m really happy to hear your voice and I’m happy to communicate with you. You are so warm-hearted… I’m really grateful to be a...
Read MoreThe scene that makes me cry every time!
I remember seeing the movie “The Joy Luck Club” when it came out in 1993. My younger self thought it was “the best film ever”. The movie was beautiful, poignant, tragic, and hopeful all rolled into one which is just...
Read MoreIt’s so Irritating (I’m talking to you, the guy in front of me at the store!)
Sometimes it feels like my soul is slowly leaving my body. Sometimes it just puts me in a murderous mood. But mostly it just makes me feel invisible. You know, the times when others don’t acknowledge your presence?! It’s the...
Read MoreChanneling Mary Poppins
Recently I was listening to the Smartless podcast (one of my favorite pandemic finds) and the guest, Tracy Ellis Ross, referenced the movie Mary Poppins and the song “Spoonful of Sugar”. She used the lyrics as a metaphor to explain...
Read MoreRemember Handshakes?
It’s Happening! Life is beginning to “go back to normal” which means we need to review a very basic, yet important, re-entry skill. Remember the handshake? It’s hard to know if it will fully come back in vogue, but I’ve...
Read MoreRekindling My Crush On Andrew McCarthy
I recently saw a story on CBS Sunday Morning (one of my favs which means I’ve officially become my parents) about the actor Andrew McCarthy who was an overnight success in the ’80s. I discovered Andrew in the movie Pretty...
Read MoreDoes It Ever End?!
I’m a “mature woman” and yet I continue to be surprised when a situation pops up and I immediately revert to my middle and high school mentality. My youthful feedback loop and self-talk are still there yapping away like some...
Read MoreDo You Believe In Compassionate Discipline?
Pull up a chair and let’s talk! Imagine we are sitting on the patio laughing, drinking a fizzy drink (mine’s tart cherry juice, carbonated water, with a squeeze of lime) with the sun shining perfectly when I sweetly ask you...
Read MoreAt The Center Of The Universe?
Recently my “far away daughter” (the fond name we have given exchange students we’ve previously hosted) asked if we could Facetime. The reason? She was having boy problems and needed to talk. Our “far away daughter” is 26 years old...
Read MoreBlah, blah, blah,…Pickle!
Blah, blah, blah,…Pickle! Blah, blah, blah,… Crackerjack! Blah, blah, blah,… Squirrel! I like you. And in order for you to like me, you need to know and trust me. We need to feel connected. One of the building blocks of...
Read MoreShe Likes Me, She Likes Me Not…
She Likes Me, She Likes Me Not… Our brain never stops. It’s like a computer constantly running in the background, scanning for any problems. Our amygdala is our Worry Wart relative who is constantly spotting trouble and muttering things like,...
Read More“Pick me. Choose me. Love me.”
“Pick me. Choose me. Love me.” -(Meredith Grey) Grey’s Anatomy The struggle is real. We all want to be noticed. We all want to belong. But how to stand out in a sea of people? I think my anxiety has...
Read MorePunching Up Your Emails– Bob Ross Style
I have a love-hate relationship with emails. I need them to communicate with the world but on more than one occasion I’ve experienced “inbox bloat” and felt like I couldn’t spend another 7 seconds dealing with them! For most of...
Read MoreThe Art of Conversation & Small Talk
It might be the nicer weather. It might be that I ran into some friendly people. It might be that people are feeling super social after being cooped up for a year. Dunno. In any case, my two recent “outside...
Read MoreBeing “On Call”–The Zoom Version
“Are you looking at me? Because it really feels like everyone is staring!” Is it just me or have you had this similar internal dialogue during a Zoom call? Ahhh, Zoom fatigue. Ever wonder why you are so dazed and...
Read MoreIrresistible Digital Communication
Last week I introduced you to Roger + Chris, my new website crush, and shared that they have been wooing me with their pictures, graphics, videos, and words. Their website nonverbals are killing it, and their snappy word choices warrant...
Read MoreBody Language of a Website
I love an old home. I love the wood, the quality, the details, the character, and how it just feels. The quiet squeak of a door, the sound of my heels walking on hardwood floors, the archways that transition me...
Read MoreFill In The Blank. The Key To Happiness Is…
“What’s the secret to being happy?” -Everyone at some point in their life “7 Layer Bars and a good book.” -Me Okay, fine… If you insist on pressing me for a “deeper” response I’d list things like: Family and friends....
Read MoreThat One Stupid Thing!
Recently I was asked to be interviewed on a podcast (cue party horns blaring and confetti cannons popping out glitter and paper everywhere)! I was scared but said yes anyway (my newest battle cry) and anxiously showed up to the...
Read MoreEye Can’t Believe It!
With Valentine’s Day right upon us, I thought I’d let you in on a bit of a body language secret (pulls door shut while furtively scanning area…) Did you know that the size of someone’s pupils can correlate with how...
Read MoreThe Power of Gif Giving
If a picture is worth a thousand words, a gif has to be at least 10,000 thousand words! First things first, my deep research has revealed that the correct pronunciation is Gif with a hard G. I’ve heard people say...
Read MoreWhy I Need To See You!
Why I Need To See You! Hello there, kitten face (said while slowly sipping my coffee and lovingly tilting my head towards you)! It turns out that we are wired to connect which means that I need to see you....
Read MoreCareer Insurance: Survival of the Friendliest
My mental math skills are WEAK. Logistics and details are my actual undoing. Excel spreadsheets make me break out in hives. Repetitive tasks are torture. Budgets make me cry. This has been a gigantic concern for me since hard skills...
Read MoreNailed It! Video Backgrounds That Represent Your Message
Oh, look at me in a spirited mood! And do you know why I am so spirited? Because I get to share some examples and tips from some of my favorite entrepreneurs on how they upped their video background games....
Read MoreEmails and Texts Have Feelings, Too!
Recently I caught myself mid-sentence as I morphed into a curmudgeon and muttered out loud, “Well, leave it to those young whippersnappers!” A large part of communication relies on context. In our day to day interactions, in-person or virtually, we...
Read MoreI Have A Confession…
These last two months I’ve just been “going through the motions”. So has my sister. And, especially my dad. In October my mom passed away and we are still figuring out what to do. I mean, there are things like...
Read MoreI Can’t Stop Watching!
You know that moment when you see something unexpectedly–mid-bite, mid-stride, mid-email– and make an incredible observation– crumbs falling from your mouth (or is that just me)? Your eureka moment, if you will… I recently experienced this when following a Twitter...
Read MoreA Room With A Cue
I’ve been talking and thinking a lot about (read obsessed) our video backgrounds lately. You can imagine my delight then when I stumbled across this scientific study that indicates we can tell a great deal about a person’s personality by...
Read MoreKeepin’ It Real
As seen in last week’s episode (okay fine, blog post) we talked about keeping virtual backgrounds in our “fun” or “social category” instead of professional because of its fake vibe. Being inauthentic is a huge body language no-no because keeping...
Read MoreThe Case Against Virtual Backgrounds
We are many months into our virtual reality world and I’m still trying to figure out what exactly it is I need to be doing. The first few months felt like I was rubbing my eyes from a long night’s...
Read MorePsst! Chris Hemsworth Told Me You Are Amazing!
Chris Hemsworth Told Me You Are Amazing! (It goes without saying that his smoldering, blue eyes, dashing good looks along with his masterful use of hand gestures and fabulous eye contact have nothing to do with why you want to...
Read MoreThe Girl in the Pumpkin Costume…
The Girl in the Pumpkin Costume… I have a memory that still haunts me. It’s a brief moment from my high school days (which is scary enough!) but I often find myself reflecting on the seemingly insignificant blip in time....
Read MoreGather Around For Storytime!
Gather around everyone, Auntie Kristin wants to tell you a story! The year is 1960. Vice President Richard Nixon and Senator John F. Kennedy have agreed to do the first televised presidential debate on September 26th, and 70 million viewers...
Read MoreThe Study That Keeps Me Up At Night…
Let’s face it, looks matter. Whether it’s the beautiful job applicant or the handsome local server at your favorite hangout, attractive people certainly have an advantage. They are perceived as having better personalities and tend to make more money. I’m...
Read MoreRBG And Why I’m Rethinking Wearing Necklaces…
Last week’s passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was an incredible loss. Because of RBG’s legal work, women enjoy many freedoms we take for granted today, such as opening up a credit card or applying for a mortgage...
Read MoreBut Wait there’s More! Part 2: How to Nonverbally Interrupt, Politely
Whelp, (said while munching on my bowl of cereal) it just happened so I feel I must share. I recently accepted a LinkedIn request and agreed to a Zoom call because of this message… “I really value connecting with other...
Read MoreHow to Interrupt Someone, Politely!
How to Interrupt Someone, Politely! A fish, a bookmark, and a pupil walk into a bar… …and they all use their nonverbal powers to interrupt the chatty guy sitting next to them who has been going on and on and...
Read MoreRon Burgundy Is “Kind Of A Big Deal”, But So Is This…
Ron Burgundy Is “Kind Of A Big Deal”, But So Is This… Please indulge me as I stand on my soapbox and once again talk about the magic hormone called oxytocin. I first learned of its importance 20 years ago....
Read MoreThe Painless Booster Shot We All Need!
“Necessity is the mother of invention” – Plato I adore people’s creativity and ingenuity and am filled with hope when I see new solutions and ideas being tried. A shout out to these clever and charming attempts to connect while...
Read MoreA Nod to Comedian Sarah Cooper
I just discovered this comedian and wanted to share her “insights” with you. Introducing…Sarah Cooper! Sarah is the author of the book “100 Tricks to Appear Smart in Meetings” and below is her YouTube clip, “Nodding Strategies for Your Next...
Read MoreOnce You See It, You Can’t Unsee It!
Once You See It, You Can’t Unsee It! “Look at the tail on that one!” a man in the crowd exclaims. I snicker quietly (seriously, how old am I?!), and take in the view. Our family is sitting in an...
Read MoreCan People Smell Your Fear?
An interesting study… (Note to self– ask a lot of questions before agreeing to be in a study!) Participants in a study were asked to smell pads soaked with sweat from two different test groups. GAG! The volunteers were not...
Read MoreOops, I made a mistake!
I’ve made at least 3,997,642 ish in my approximation. This means you should really like me because there is the science that says that when “typically competent people make small mistakes”, they are viewed as more likable. This is known...
Read MoreIs RBF Real?
As a child, I would ask my mom if she was mad at me and she’d be surprised because, in her mind, her face was relaxed and in a neutral position. And as genetics (and the mother’s wish) work, I...
Read MoreThe secret body language move no one ever suspects!
Behold the power of the eyebrows! “You know, the mustache gets a lot of play, but the eyebrows carry the thunder.” — Actor Nick Offerman Question: What do Jack Nicholson, Groucho Marx, Nick Offerman, Eugene Levy, Bob Dole, Jim Carrey,...
Read MoreTo show up on camera, or to not show up on camera… That is the question!
I recently did a virtual presentation and received a question inquiring about the importance of being on camera on a group call or webinar. This got me thinking. As a body language trainer, my reaction is a big YES, you...
Read MoreFour Tips to Ace Your Next Public Speaking Event
(Screeching sound of microphone along with a completely uncomfortable audience)… Despite our high school speech class’ valiant attempt, most of us don’t feel quite at home in front of an audience. We know we need to be able to “say a...
Read MoreHow to Sound Like a Leader
Okay, think of a voice you LOVE to listen to… Did you immediately think of: Morgan Freeman James Earl Jones Alan Rickman Patrick Stewart Kathleen Turner Oprah Winfrey Judi Dench Helen Mirren We love to hear strong, powerful, soothing, expressive...
Read MoreConfidence Cocktail
You know those moments when things were going fine and then suddenly you feel the confidence just start hemorrhaging out of your body? Things like: Your frenemy just walked into the cafe. You are seated at a meeting table and...
Read MoreHow to be INTERESTING!
How do they do it? They, meaning interesting people! And more importantly, if I buy Dos Equis, will I be more interesting? Score one for the Dos Equis marketing team… As a woman who has always been on the hunt...
Read MoreIf you give a monkey a cucumber…
Everyone needs to feel seen and heard. It’s a basic need and when people are marginalized and treated unfairly, they act out in frustration. This is perfectly demonstrated in the following clip. Let’s Watch a Capuchin Monkey video. (Because who...
Read MoreYou CAN judge a person by their face!
Time to do an “About-Face”… It turns out that the face is unlike a book cover—you CAN judge a person by their face! Gasp! Let me unpack this statement for you. In 2008, researchers Nicholas Rule and Nalini Ambady co-authored...
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