The speaker, Joe Navarro, a former FBI special agent, discusses the concept of nonverbals - forms of communication that aren't words, but carry meaning. He explains that nonverbals include body language, facial expressions, and the way we dress and move. They are constantly transmitting information about our thoughts and feelings. Navarro shares his experience in the FBI, where he used nonverbals to interpret people's thoughts and behaviors.
He challenges several common misconceptions about nonverbals. For instance, he debunks the idea that crossing your arms or touching your nose indicates deception. Instead, these actions are self-soothing behaviors. Navarro also clarifies that when a person looks away or changes their expression while processing information, it doesn't necessarily mean they're lying.
Navarro uses an example from his FBI work to demonstrate how nonverbals can reveal a person's true intentions. A man was videotaped carrying flowers in a way that suggested he was from Eastern Europe, leading Navarro to confront him. The man confessed to being a spy. Navarro emphasizes that face-to-face interactions are crucial in detecting deception, as they provide cues that can't be detected through text or video.
Navarro also discusses the importance of space and comfort in communication, using a poker game as an example. He explains that players' body language can reveal their reactions to a stimulus, which can be useful in understanding their psychological state. He concludes by emphasizing the significance of nonverbals in everyday communication, stating that we primarily communicate nonverbally and will continue to do so.
1. Nonverbals are any form of communication that isn't a word and includes body language, dress, and mannerisms.
2. Nonverbals are used to interpret a person's mind.
3. Joe Navarro, the speaker, was a special agent with the FBI for 25 years, where his job was to catch spies.
4. Security is based on nonverbals, and we use them to interpret people's intentions.
5. Most people select their mates based on nonverbals.
6. There are common misconceptions about nonverbals, such as crossing your arms being a blocking behavior or clearing your throat indicating deception.
7. Espionage work is often different from what is seen in movies.
8. Navarro shared a case where an American mole was able to pass as an American but was working for a hostile intelligence service.
9. Navarro mentioned that he looked at behaviors to do an assessment of what a person was transmitting in relation to any stimuli.
10. Navarro also discussed how he observes the hair, forehead, eyes, and other aspects of a person's physical appearance to assess their state of mind.
11. Nonverbals are not about making judgments, but about assessing what a person is transmitting in that moment.
12. In most western cultures, the first time people touch is when they shake hands.
13. Poker is an interesting game to study nonverbals as it provides a similitude of sitting across from a spy or a player, and observing their reactions to a stimulus.
14. In poker, every player's body language can provide valuable information about their hand and their strategy.
15. In poker, it's recommended to look around and observe the reactions of other players, as you're likely to see the same reaction again.