Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People

Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People

Do you feel awkward at networking events? Do you wonder what your date really thinks of you? Do you wish you could decode people? You need to learn the science of people.   As a human behavior hacker, Vanessa Van Edwards created a research lab to study the hidden forces that drive us. And she’s cracked the code. In  Captivate ,   she shares shortcuts, systems, and secrets for taking charge of your interactions at work, at home, and in any social situation. These aren’t the people skills you learned in school. This is the first comprehensive, science backed, real life manual on how to captivate anyone—and a completely new approach to building connections.   Just like knowing the formulas to use in a chemistry lab, or the right programming language to build an app, Captivate provides simple ways to solve people problems. You’ll learn, for example…   ·  How to work a room: Every party, networking event, and social situation has a predictable map. Discover the sweet spot for making the most connections. ·  How to read faces: It’s easier than you think to speed-read facial expressions and use them to predict people’s emotions. ·  How to talk to anyone: Every conversation can be memorable—once you learn how certain words generate the pleasure hormone dopamine in listeners. When you understand the laws of human behavior, your influence, impact, and income will increase significantly. What’s more, you will improve your interpersonal intelligence, make a killer first impression, and build rapport quickly and authentically in any situation—negotiations, interviews, parties, and pitches. You’ll never interact the same way again. “Everything Vanessa does is captivating, but this book is her masterpiece. Nearly every page contains surprising insights and practical tips to help you succeed more in life.” —CHRIS GUILLEBEAU, author of The Happiness of Pursuit and host of Side Hustle School “If you’ve ever thought ‘I hope they have a dog at this dinner party so that I don’t have to talk to anyone,' read this book. Hello Captivate , good-bye awkward moments.” —JON ACUFF, author of Do Over “There is a big difference between faking your way into building relationships and deeply un­derstanding the science of what makes people tick so that you can naturally and effectively connect with them. Captivate teaches this science in a fun and accessible way, so that you apply the learning in your everyday life, growing your network, influence, and impact.” —PAMELA SLIM, author of Body of Work “This book is rewarding regardless of your level of skill in getting along with others.” —ART MARKMAN, PhD, coauthor of Brain Briefs “ Captivate is packed full of useful information for anyone interested in improving their social skills—it’s a must read.” —JOE NAVARRO, former FBI agent, body language expert, and author of What Every BODY is Saying “In Captivate , Vanessa Van Edwards has not only decoded the secret formula for what makes people tick, she also explains how to harness and put the latest people science into action.” —JORDAN HARBINGER, founder of The Art of Charm “Full of helpful tips, actionable anecdotes, and fascinating research, Captivate is the consummate wingman (or woman)—a book you’ll hear whispering in your ears, giving you social superpowers.” —JENNY BLAKE, author of Pivot “Vanessa Van Edwards is pure gold, and this book is an invaluable guide to harnessing the science of what makes people tick. A must read if you want to use its power for good inside your company, cause, or career.” —CHASE JARVIS, CEO of CreativeLive Vanessa Van Edwards is a researcher, speaker, and writer on people skills and interpersonal intelligence. Her behavior research lab, The Science of People, has been featured in Fast Company , Inc. , Men’s Health , Forbes , and on Fox News. She is a monthly columnist for Entrepreneur , the leading instructor in people skills on Udemy and CreativeLive, and has led trainings at a number of Fortune 500 companies around the world. She lives with her husband in Portland, Oregon. Chapter 1 Control How to win the social game Once upon a time, a boy named Harry was teased for wearing thick glasses and having a bookish streak. When the time came to apply to college, he took jobs as a timekeeper in a railroad construction company and as a shelf duster in a pharmacy to support his family. No one would have guessed that this shy boy would one day become the thirty-third president of the United States. The story of Harry S. Truman is surprising because he doesn't fit the stereotypical booming presidential personality. On July 19, 1944, this posed a problem. Truman was facing the biggest opportunity of his career. He was vying for the vice presidential nomination at the Democratic National Convention. The odds were not in his favor. Then-president Franklin D. Roosevelt had already publicly supported his contender, Henry Wallace, a gifted public speaker and the cu