In my professional career, I was introduced very early on to the power of one’s body language. Whether you are presenting in a room of your peers or trying to impress someone new you have just met, everyone’s body has their own story to tell. Yes, everyone is different, but body language can have a strong influence on how you come across to people in your everyday life. This article takes a look at the best books on body language to give you the ultimate reading list and ensure you put your best self forward, no matter the setting.
Why bother with Body Language?
So, you’re thinking, you’re not a cop, why would you have to know anything about body language? Firstly, that’s just TV, it’s not real. Reading body language is not a simple task and the science behind it is not 100 per cent accurate.
Body language is the non-verbal element of communication that we use to reveal our true feelings and emotions. These come across in things like our facial expressions, gestures and posture. Once we are aware of these elements, however, it can be used to our advantage in more ways than you may realise.
Body Language can help you:
- Create a deeper connection with those around you by being able to understand what someone is trying to say to us and to enhance our awareness of people’s reactions to what we say and do
- Appear more positive, engaging and approachable in both your professional and personal circles.
- Become more aware of the potential of conflict and thereby avoid it
- Influence the outcomes of decisions by being able to read the people in the room
- And yes, it can help bring to your attention any negative influences in your environment
Interested in body language now? I bet you are. Let’s take a look at some of the best books on Body Language.
- The Definitive Book of Body Language: How to read others’ attitudes by their gestures
- Product type: ABIS BOOK
- Brand: Orion
- Allan Pease (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 392 Pages – 01/01/2017 (Publication Date) – Orion uk (Publisher)
The authors upon their experience in more than thirty years in the field. They examine each component of body language and give you the basic vocabulary to read attitudes and emotions through behavior.
- Audible Audiobook
- Joe Navarro (Author) – Dave Clark (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 10/15/2019 (Publication Date) – HarperAudio (Publisher)
Joe Navarro, a former FBI special agent, provides this “field guide” to nonverbal communication. He describes and explains more than 400 conscious and subconscious behaviours that will allow you to gauge anyone’s true intentions.
- Cooper, Brandon (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 233 Pages – 04/29/2019 (Publication Date) – Independently published (Publisher)
This collection of four books, in combinations, provides the ultimate psychology guide to analyzing, reading and influencing people using body language, emotional intelligence, psychological persuasion and manipulation
- Audible Audiobook
- Patrick King (Author) – Russell Newton (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 11/19/2019 (Publication Date) – Patrick King (Publisher)
Drawing from research, academic experience, coaching, and real-life experience, Patrick King brings us this exciting book. It will help you further understand personality traits, character, emotions, and values through pure observation or simple questions.
- Turchet, Philippe (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 368 Pages – 11/15/2012 (Publication Date) – Skyhorse (Publisher)
The author takes his time to explain the true importance of body language in all contexts, relationships, and encounters. This book helps you read emotions and decipher hidden ones.
- Audible Audiobook
- Gerard Shaw (Author) – John-Michael Jalonen (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 03/25/2020 (Publication Date) – Gerard Shaw (Publisher)
This book is all about learning how to use your own body language to communicate with those around you without using your words. Body language which projects confidence and positivity can instantly influence a room and this book will show you how.
- Audible Audiobook
- Kasia Wezowski (Author) – Kate Mulligan (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 07/24/2018 (Publication Date) – Blackstone Audio, Inc. (Publisher)
In this book, Kasia Wezowski shares her thoughts about how our bodies speak louder than words. This book shows how even the smallest movements have meaning by analyzing decades of research.
- Joseph A. DeVito (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 272 Pages – 04/01/2013 (Publication Date) – Kendall Hunt Publishing (Publisher)
This book covers both the theory and research in nonverbal communication and describes the ways nonverbal communication works. An important lesson for all of us to actually learn, nonverbal communication is the key to getting ahead. The book also contains a list of sample videos of nonverbal communication.
In Conclusion:
These books make you realise that putting your best foot forward is more literal than we could ever imagine. In this day and age, we are constantly observed and our body language plays a more important role than we realise. This ultimate reading list of the best books on body language will help you get ahead and help you become more aware of both your body language and that of those around you. And remember, if you don’t have the time to read the actual book, you can always try a book summary or audiobook instead!
