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How to Be a Good Manager: A Guide for Every Personality Type
I’m obsessed with personality science. I have written extensively about introverts, extroverts and ambiverts, the unique strengths of each, and how those can be leveraged for success. But never before have I examined how personality science can make you a...
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How to Remember Names with a Simple Trick that ALWAYS Works
There’s a sneaky people skill most people forget -- remembering someone’s name! Is it often a problem where you can’t remember names? You are not alone! I am going to show you how to always remember a name.Researchers from Emory University wanted to...
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How to Negotiate (With 12 Science-Backed Strategies to Win)
If you had to pick a metaphor for a negotiation, which would you choose: A. Going to the Dentist B. Playing a Game Your choice here is important–do you see negotiations as a necessary evil OR as a fun challenge? It’s time to start thinking about negotiations as a fun...
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How to Be Confident: A Step-by-Step Guide to Developing Life’s Most Valuable Skill
Do you know how to be confident? Or how to feel powerful and capable in your professional, social and romantic interactions? There’s a big confidence myth: Confidence is just one of those things that “you have or you don’t.” No way! I want to shatter that...
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How to Be Hyper-Capable: A Professional Development Plan to Level-up Your Life
What do Elon Musk, Pablo Picasso, and Ben Franklin all have in common? Besides absolutely rocking each of the fields they were in (from tech to art to… well, everything) –– it’s the fact that they didn’t just do great things because of their innate skill,...
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How to Be More Creative at Work, With Sarah Moyle
In this episode of our series, The World’s Most Interesting People, I sat down with Sarah Moyle. Sarah is a Creative Catalyst and Visual Storyteller.She’s a self-taught graphic recorder and a LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® facilitator (yep, that’s using LEGOs for...
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How to Write Compelling Content For Yourself and Your Audience, with Eric Barker
In this episode of our series, The World’s Most Interesting People, I sat down with Eric Barker. Eric is the creator of the incredible blog, “Barking Up The Wrong Tree” and bestselling author of a book of the same title, Barking Up the Wrong Tree: The...
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How to Read Microexpressions and Improve Your Observation Skills, with Dr. David Matsumoto
In this episode of our series, “The World’s Most Interesting People,” I sat down with Dr. David Matsumoto. He’s the director and lead researcher for Humintell and is the founder and director of San Francisco State University’s Culture and Emotion Research...
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12 Non-Awkward Team Building Activities That Build Trust
One of the hardest parts about working on a team is finding ways to connect, build trust and bond. This is why non-awkward team building activities are one of the best ways to kickstart your group. These team building activities can be used for: Work teams Sports...
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How to Get People to Listen to You and Your Ideas
Have you ever wondered why certain click-worthy articles go viral? Or why certain ideas catch fire and spread? Or how to get people to listen to YOU? Here at Science of People, we were curious about what makes viral stories go viral. Specifically, we wanted to know...
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5 Ways to Be Way More Interesting
This morning I logged on to do my monthly check of our website analytics. As I settled in with my coffee to peruse our latest numbers, search hits and demographics, I stumbled upon an interesting little finding. While scrolling through our top search terms (what...
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How AI Will Revolutionize How We Use Body Language
5 Vocal Warm Ups Before Meetings, Speeches and Presentations
Most people think vocal warm-up exercises are only important for singers. Wrong! Every professional should be using vocal warm ups: To sound more powerful in meetings When giving important presentations To level-up speeches If you’ve ever spoken up in a meeting or...
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The Patterns Behind Successful Blind Dates
If you want to strike terror into the hearts of singles everywhere, just mention two little words: Blind Date Does it have to be this way? Here at the Science of People, I was curious about blind dates. Specifically: What are the attraction patterns on successful...
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How to Network at a Conference: 10 Ways to Make Contacts Like a Pro
Have you ever been to a conference or trade show and felt like it wasn’t worth the effort or the time or the money? There are so many business conferences out there, it’s important that if you are going to take the time away from work to attend a conference, you know...
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7 Strategies for Virtual Teams and Remote Workers
We have a very special video for you today! I’m here with my Science of People team to discuss tips on how to encourage, support and motivate a remote team. As you can see, our team works virtually—everyone in their own space instead of a local office—and...
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How to Psych Yourself Up Before Your Next Big Thing
Before every show, TV host Stephen Colbert has a ritual. And it's a little superstitious. He rings a little bell in his bathroom. As he walks toward the stage, he waits for one of his writers to tell him, "Squeeze out some sunshine." He does a two-handed shake with...
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6 Public Speaking Apps to Try Before Your Next Presentation
Do you want to nail your next presentation or speech? I want to show you how technology and public speaking apps can help you with: Speaking better and more clearly Mastering voice training techniques Getting rid of “ums’ and sounding more confident in public speaking...
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What’s the Ideal Business Seating Arrangement for Your Meeting?
You have a big meeting coming up. One of your first big questions should be on seating arrangements: What is the best seating etiquette? Is there an ideal business seating arrangement? Does seating matter? First things first. Seating matters! In fact, it...
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Signature Analysis: What Your Signature Says About Your Personality
Quick! Before you start reading this article, take out a blank piece of paper and sign your name. Ready? Let’s analyze it! Your signature analysis might have a lot to say about your personality. As lead investigator at Science of People, I am always looking for...
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10 Ways to Be Happier at Work
Do you know how to be happy at work? Being happier at work is not a “nice to have,” it is a “need to have.” When you are happier: You are more productive You are more engaged in your work You are more liked Do you love what you do? Do you like what you do?...
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5 Incredible Public Speakers Show You How to Improve Your Speeches
For today's working session video, I wanted to address a question I get all the time: Who are your favorite speakers? I'm constantly looking for great examples of: Body Language Charisma Stage Presence In this video, I wanted to share with you my five favorite...
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The 5 Relationship Patterns: Which One Are You?
Do you feel like you have the same relationships over and over again? You might be in relationship patterns—where even though you are with different people, the behaviors and relationship goals are often the same. In fact, this can happen with romantic...
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8 Easy Icebreakers to Warm-Up Any Meeting That Aren’t Awkward
When most people hear the word ‘icebreaker,’ they think of boring or silly ”bonding exercises.” In this post, I want to share 8 Meeting Icebreakers that are: Not boring Quick-bonding Easy to do If you are a meeting planner, team leader, or event organizer, you MUST...
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Music and Productivity: How Music Can Make You More Productive
Do you have the perfect playlist? Not all playlists are created equal! You need one for every work pace: Peak performance playlist Deep work playlist Cool down playlist Let’s say you have a big meeting, interview, or negotiation and you need to pump yourself up. You...
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The Relational Paradox: The Deep Hurt of Hiding Your True Self
I have struggled with this topic for a long time, but I think it is really important to share. It’s called the Relational Paradox. The Relational Paradox: As humans we really want deep, fulfilling relationships. To get these relationships we want people to...
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The Expectancy Effect: Improve Performance With This Human Behavior Quirk
Once upon a time, a pair of adventurous researchers had participants undergo a unique experiment. They were told they had to train rats to quickly make it through a maze. Half of the participants were told they had “maze-bright” rats that carefully were bred to be...
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Socially Awkward? How to Not Be Awkward in 5 Social Situations
Are you socially awkward? It seems I am a magnet for any and all kinds of awkward social situations. So much so that I decided to create a post on all of the social traps and how you can avoid them. Awkward Situation #1: Forgetting You Have Met Someone Before Has this...
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Seating Arrangements: How to Choose the Best Seat in a Meeting Using Science
When you prepare for a big meeting, you often think about what to say and what to wear, but forget about a simple, yet powerful decision--seating arrangements. These meetings can include: Interviews Negotiations Collaboration meetings Presentations Can you...
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Beat Performance Anxiety and Overcome Stage Fright in 7 Easy Steps
Nothing is worse than when you are about to walk on stage for a performance, audition or presentation and you get stage fright. In this video I want to teach you 7 steps to conquer it. My name is Vanessa Van Edwards and I am lead investigator at the Science of People,...
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What is Vocal Fry and How to Get Rid of It
Have you ever heard someone who has vocal fry? It’s when the edge of their voice cracks, creaks and fries--it’s quite unpleasant to listen to. I want to explain how vocal fry works and how to stop it. How you say something can be just as important as what you say....
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Use a Value Proposition to Secretly Persuade People Without Being Manipulative
I have always been fascinated ... and a little terrified of persuasion science and the value proposition. I worried that if I went too far down the rabbit hole I would be sucked into a dark world of manipulation. On the other hand, as someone obsessed with people,...
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Attachment Styles Quiz: Which of the 4 Styles Are You?
Have you ever noticed you are dating the same kind of person over and over again? This might not be your imagination or coincidence. It could be Attachment Theory at work, which says we each have a specific attachment style. Attachment Style: Our tendencies and...
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How to Sound Confident On the Phone with 5 Simple Steps
Do you spend a lot of time on the phone? Ever wished you could: Sound more powerful? Increase your vocal presence? Make your phone calls more impactful? We did a fascinating experiment on vocal power and have some incredible tips for you on how you can...
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How to Build a Dream Team with Shane Snow
In this episode of our series, The World’s Most Interesting People, I sat down with Shane Snow to discuss how to build a dream team. Shane is an award-winner journalist, co-founder of Contently (one of Inc.com’s fastest-growing companies), best-selling...
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Trump to Truman: An Analysis of 20 Presidential Inaugural Speeches
How is your presidential knowledge? For example, can you guess: Which president used the most hand gestures? Which president smiled the most? The least? Which party uses more negative language? In our human behavior research lab we analyzed these and other traits in...
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New Addition to the Science of People Family
We are so excited to announce a new addition to the Science of People family! Thank you for all of your kind support and well wishes during this special time! We can't wait for the adventure to come. Love, Vanessa PS- If you want to follow along...
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Permission to Screw Up with Kristen Hadeed
In this episode of our series, The World’s Most Interesting People, I sat down with Kristen Hadeed. Kristen is the founder and CEO of Student Maid, a cleaning company that hires students. Kristen is also the author of Permission to Screw Up: How I Learned...
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Get More People to Like You Using These 5 Science Backed Strategies
One of the greatest feelings in the world is knowing that someone likes you. Are you likeable? It doesn’t matter if it’s your crush, your boss, a new friend or your favorite barista. It’s possible that these three words are some of the most powerful in the English...
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