Ep. 77 - Colin Blalock | It’s Not What You Say That is Heard: Why Reading Body Language is Fun & Profitable

Colin Blalock, a shareholder with Jones and Kolb, is a CPA with a very unique set of skills: Colin has developed a talent for understanding the nonverbal messages that people are saying. That's right – He has developed the ability to read body language, and he has delivered a number of conference presentations on this topic.   The importance of reading body language is underscored when you understand how people are interpreting your message: 7 percent is what you say, 38 percent is how you say it (the tone of your voice), and 55 percent is silent body language.   But a lot of us don't take the time to think about our own body language, and that limits how effectively we can communicate with others – or understand what they’re really communicating to us.   Colin’s Challenge & Body Language Cheat Sheet   For the next 30 days, when you get up in the morning, read this cheat sheet – the 13 keys of body language – and try to identify these things during your day. What you see, and learn, will absolutely blow you away.   Key #1  - Initial Meeting Plan Flash/return flash Eye contact Smile   Key #2  - Spacing Personal space Correct distance   Key #3 - Conflicts Unknown male/female (standing and sitting) Standing vs. sitting Avoid deep armchairs   Key #4 - The Handshake Pressure/length Limp wrist Dominate (counter) Get together Submissive Glove Double touch Shoulder grip   Key #5 - Appearance Glasses Best face forward   Key #6 - Cooperation/Acceptance Head tilt Eye contact Smile Speaking to a group – contact   Key #7 - Power Plays Control time/space The stare – counter Where you sit   Key #8 - Reading Others Watch for leakage Read my lips Furrowed forehead Buy signs Watch the feet True smile Copying stance/gestures   Key #9 - Common Lying Gestures No single sign The nose knows Gravity defying gestures and happy feet   Key #10 - Watch the Hands Touching objects Palms up/down   Key #11 - What about the Eyes? Audio (side to side) Calculating (down and left) Emotional (down and right) Deception (up and right) Recalling (up and left)   Key #12 - Common Barriers Arm fold One arm fold How to break the barrier   Key #13 - Practice!     Colin’s Favorite Body Language Books: Telling Lies, Paul Ekman Extremely hard to read, but many books use his research. Unless you really like Calculus I would pass. The Secret Language of Success, David Lewis First book I read, 31 rules provides a good foundation;   The book cost $0.01 and shipping is $4.24.  Accountants love rules and there are 31 Rules to follow.  Note: three books below cover many of the same points.   The Definitive Book of Body Language, Allan and Barbara Pease Excellent book and discusses issues up through former President Clinton; Entertaining and useful. What Every BODY is Saying, Joe Navarro Real life experiences working with soldiers captured in the Gulf Wars and how the same techniques are applied to interactions today; Works with Fortune 500 companies now; Addresses benchmarking. Let Me See Your Body Talk, Jan Hargrave Very good book for singles; Explains social interactions. The Silent Language of Leaders, Carol Kinsey Goman Excellent book if preside over meetings or need to get a consensus from a group on issues; Explains why some people “lead” and no one follows. --   Production & Development for Improv Is No Joke by Podcast Masters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices