What Every BODY is Saying by Joe Navarro

Summary

'What Every BODY is Saying' by Joe Navarro provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and interpreting nonverbal cues. Drawing from his experience as an FBI counterintelligence officer, Navarro explains how body language can reveal a person's true feelings, intentions, and even potential threats. The book empowers readers to become more observant and intuitive by teaching them what different gestures, postures, and movements mean in context.

Life-Changing Lessons

1. Nonverbal communication often reveals more truth about a person's intentions and feelings than spoken words.

2. Learning to read body language helps you navigate social, professional, and even dangerous situations more effectively.

3. Observing changes in baseline behavior is key to accurately interpreting nonverbal cues and detecting deception.

Publishing year and rating

The book was published in: 2008

AI Rating (from 0 to 100): 91

Practical Examples

1. Feet pointing

   Navarro explains that people's feet often point toward where they want to go. In social situations, if someone’s feet are pointed away from the group, it can indicate they’re ready to leave or disengaged from the conversation. This insight is useful at meetings or networking events for gauging real interest.

2. Pacifying behaviors

   When people are stressed or anxious, they unconsciously engage in self-soothing, or pacifying behaviors, like rubbing their neck or stroking their arm. Navarro points out that noticing these behaviors can alert you to discomfort or deceit. Recognizing such signals early can change how you steer discussions or manage conflicts.

3. Eyebrow flashes

   A quick raising of the eyebrows, called an eyebrow flash, often signals a greeting or positive acknowledgment. Navarro notes that this subtle gesture can be an invitation for interaction or rapport-building. Spotting eyebrow flashes can help you identify open, friendly individuals in group settings.

4. Crossed arms and legs

   Navarro discusses how crossed arms or legs usually signal defensiveness or discomfort. While cultural context matters, a sudden change to a closed posture during conversation may indicate disagreement or hesitation. Being aware of this can guide you to adjust your message or ask clarifying questions.

5. Mirroring

   Mirroring another person's body language naturally builds rapport and indicates comfort. Navarro asserts that when two people subconsciously mirror each other's movements, it generally means a positive connection or agreement. In negotiations or interviews, noticing mirroring can be an advantage.

6. Protective gestures

   Gestures like holding a briefcase or a purse in front of the body act as barriers and can reveal insecurity or discomfort. Navarro suggests that observing these can tell you when someone feels threatened or vulnerable. You can use this information to adjust the environment or your approach.

7. Duration of gaze

   Navarro explains the importance of eye contact duration. Prolonged gaze can signal aggression or attraction, while fleeting glances may indicate submission or dishonesty. Understanding gaze helps in interpreting hidden emotions during interviews or personal conversations.

8. Lip compression

   Pressing the lips together is often a sign that a person is holding back something—emotion, opinion, or information. Navarro emphasizes this as a classic cue of frustration or stress. Spotting lip compression can prompt you to gently draw out the unspoken thoughts.

9. Comfort versus discomfort behaviors

   Navarro separates all body language into two categories: comfort and discomfort. By assessing which category a person's behavior falls into, you get immediate feedback about their feelings. This framework is valuable in high-stakes conversations, such as negotiations or interrogations.