Elizabeth Kuhnke - Body Language For Dummies

In the field of interpretation of body language there is simply no one as expert as Elizabeth Kuhnke. Her new book, Body Language, confirms her extraordinary knowledge of the subject. This book is a must for everybody!

Libby Appel, Artistic Director Emerita at Oregon Shakespeare Festival

Whether you are a manager, a recruiter, a sales person, a candidate or a client, Kuhnke's book is essential reading. It takes a complex subject and renders it accessible to all.

John Lucy, HR Director at Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP

Body Language is essential reading for anyone who wants to really understand people beyond words. Whether you're trying to decode corporate politics, or get on with the in-laws I would highly recommend this book.

John Kelly, Off Trade Director at Heineken Ireland

To rely on words alone is like viewing the world through the wrong end of a telescope. Expand your appreciation of all language a person brings to a conversation. This book will help you decode the non-verbal signals that posture and expression bring to the dialogue.

Russell Hampshire FCA

A real hands-on guide that helped me to understand the messages my body sends and then taught me how to align them with my verbal communication. It also serves very well to interpret other people's emotions. If you care about relationships reading this book is a must.

Gnter Schuble, Head of Corporate Finance & Tax at Schindler Group, Switzerland

If you are looking for a book that combines the theory of body language with insightful exercises and techniques that you can practice yourself, then this is the book for you. Body Language comprehensively reveals the most important information on nonverbal communication that everybody should learn.

Kasia Wezowski, co-founder of The Centre for Body Language

Straightforward, accessible, and filled with useful tips and exercises, this book is a must have' for HR professionals and business leaders.

Emma Lyon, Fellow CIPD and International HR Director

Clear, congruent communication in which your body language matches your spoken words is vital if you want people to understand your message. Elizabeth's tips and exercises are simple, practical and easy to implement. I highly recommend this book.

Beverley Sorsby, Head of Human Resources, Professional Services

This edition first published 2016
2016 Elizabeth Kuhnke

Registered office
John Wiley and Sons Ltd, The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, United Kingdom

For details of our global editorial offices, for customer services and for information about how to apply for permission to reuse the copyright material in this book please see our website at www.wiley.com.

The right of the author to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, except as permitted by the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, without the prior permission of the publisher.

Wiley publishes in a variety of print and electronic formats and by print-on-demand. Some material included with standard print versions of this book may not be included in e-books or in print-on-demand. If this book refers to media such as a CD or DVD that is not included in the version you purchased, you may download this material at http://booksupport.wiley.com. For more information about Wiley products, visit www.wiley.com.

Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on its cover are trade names, service marks, trademark or registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publisher and the book are not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the companies referenced within the book have endorsed the book.

Limit of Liability/Disclaimer of Warranty: While the publisher and author have used their best efforts in preparing this book, they make no representations or warranties with the respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this book and specifically disclaim any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. It is sold on the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering professional services and neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable for damages arising herefrom. If professional advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Kuhnke, Elizabeth, author.
Title: Body language : learn how to read others and communicate with confidence / Elizabeth Kuhnke.
Description: Hoboken : Capstone, 2016.
Identifiers: LCCN 2016012012 (print) | LCCN 2016016289 (ebook) |
ISBN 9780857087041 (paperback) | ISBN 9780857087072 (ebk) |
ISBN 9780857087034 (ebk) | ISBN 9780857087072 (pdf) | ISBN 9780857087034 (epub)
Subjects: LCSH: Body language.
Classification: LCC BF637.N66 K8397 2016 (print) | LCC BF637.N66 (ebook) |
DDC 153.6/9dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016012012

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

ISBN 978-0-857-08704-1 (paperback)
ISBN 978-0-857-08707-2 (ebk) ISBN 978-0-857-08703-4 (ebk)

Cover design: Wiley Cover image: Toby Bridson/iStockphoto
Illustrations by Curtis Allen

When the eyes say one thing, and the tongue another, a practiced man relies on the language of the first.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Youre probably familiar with this scenario: someone is saying one thing to you, while their body seems to be saying something else and youre left feeling confused. Do you believe the spoken words youre hearing or the body language that youre seeing? Global research and anecdotal evidence consistently show that the truth lies in the manner of delivery.

Not that words dont matter. They do. But if the words and the delivery dont match, your listeners are going to believe what they observe rather than what youre saying.

Without uttering a syllable, you can convey your thoughts, feelings, and intentions through your body language.

While your spoken words convey information like facts and data, your body reveals other information like your attitude, intentions, and general state of being. And, while you may tell a white lie or two to save someones feelings, or may create total fabrications to protect your interests, dont be surprised if your body gives the game away. For example, lets say that a colleague is given the job that you wanted and you say Im happy for you. The only problem is: your eyes are squinted, your brow is furrowed, and your fists are clenched. Your words are saying one thing while your body is saying something else. No wonder your co-worker turns away in disappointment or even worse, disgust.

However, all is not lost. By being aware of the messages your body sends out, and by practising specific gestures, postures, and expressions, you can create the impressions and convey the messages that you want to communicate. In addition, by observing and interpreting other peoples actions, you have the upper hand when it comes to understanding their mindset and responding to their behaviour.

I pretended to be somebody I wanted to be until I finally became that person.