Speaking of human nature … at this point you know that nonverbal communication is based on instinct, and so are many of our reactions to unspoken messages. As you read in the opening chapters of this book, experts estimate that two-thirds of all face-to-face interactions are nonverbal. The person who learns the basics of body language has a distinct advantage over the person who thinks nonverbal cues are random and unimportant.

Even if you're not able to completely decode every person you know, reading nonverbal gestures can provide you with a gut feeling about another person's true intentions. And what are gut feelings? Instinctive reactions. People often find themselves confused by their spouses, friends, and coworkers because they ignore these innate responses to nonverbal cues and rely on the spoken word instead. For example, you can probably sense when a friend is lying to you (because you can see his anxious body language), but because he verbally insists he's being truthful, you believe him. (Or at least you would have believed him before you realized the power of body language.)

You now have enough knowledge about nonverbal cues to project your most confident self, protect yourself from liars, and create meaningful connections with the people around you. In short, knowing how to read and express nonverbal gestures has the power to greatly improve your life. So don't be shy — get out there and start using what you've learned. Just let your body do the talking.