Interpersonal and Communication Skills Blog

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...

The Patterns Behind Successful Blind Dates

Dating

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...

How to Network at a Conference: 10 Ways to Make Contacts Like a Pro

Career, Leadership

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Signature Analysis: What Your Signature Says About Your Personality

Behavioral Psychology

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...

10 Ways to Be Happier at Work

Happiness

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?...

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...

The 5 Relationship Patterns: Which One Are You?

Communication

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...

8 Easy Icebreakers to Warm-Up Any Meeting That Aren’t Awkward

Leadership

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...

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...

The Relational Paradox: The Deep Hurt of Hiding Your True Self

Relationships

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...

The Expectancy Effect: Improve Performance With This Human Behavior Quirk

Leadership

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...

Socially Awkward? How to Not Be Awkward in 5 Social Situations

Relationships

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...

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...

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,...

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....

Use a Value Proposition to Secretly Persuade People Without Being Manipulative

Persuasion

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,...

Attachment Styles Quiz: Which of the 4 Styles Are You?

Dating

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...

How to Sound Confident On the Phone with 5 Simple Steps

Persuasion

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...

How to Build a Dream Team with Shane Snow

Entrepreneurship

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...

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...

New Addition to the Science of People Family

Miscellaneous

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...

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...

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...

How to Become a Networking Master with Jordan Harbinger

In this episode of our series, World’s Most Interesting People, I sat down with my friend Jordan Harbinger to discuss his tips on how to become a networking master. Jordan is the host of The Jordan Harbinger Show podcast. Meet Jordan Is networking a skill...

Smile for the Camera: Gender Differences in Selfies

Smile for the camera? In this video, I sat down with Diane Cleverly, Certified Body Language Trainer and healthcare advocate. Diane teaches patients how to communicate with their physicians and has spent the last two decades in medical communications with...

How to Overcome Your Social Anxiety: 6 Tips You Can Use Now

Do you get stressed in social situations? You might have social anxiety. I want to discuss: The definition of social anxiety Specific situations that trigger social anxiety Common signs and symptoms of social anxiety Let’s get to the truth about social anxiety and...

10 Essential People Skills You Need to Succeed

People skills are an essential part of work, life and social success. When you have strong people skills, you are better able to: Pitch yourself Overcome social anxiety Communicate your ideas Influence others positively What are people skills? People skills are the...

How to Write a Book: 10 Questions to Ask Before You Start Writing

Entrepreneurship

Do you want to write a book? Do you know how to write a book? Eighty-one percent of respondents to a recent survey said they have a book in them. This statistic used to surprise me. And then I published a book. (The paperback just launched!) It did great. And now it...

10 Best Interview Questions to Ask In Your Next Interview

You have an opportunity. Great interview questions help you… Reveal someone’s true personality Speed read a candidate quickly Build rapport that lasts Your questions might be even more important than a candidate's answers. A great interviewer uses key behavioral...

How to Captivate with Social Cues, with Jordan Harbinger

Charisma

I sat down with my friend Jordan Harbinger, host of The Jordan Harbinger Show, to discuss how to end a conversation and avoiding awkward interactions. This time, I'm the one being interviewed and I have lots of tips and stories in the video and article...

How to Build a Tribe, With Sarah K. Peck

Entrepreneurship

In this episode of our series, The World’s Most Interesting People, I sat down with Sarah K. Peck. Sarah is the creator and executive director of the Startup Pregnant podcast that shares stories of women business founders and leaders in their pioneering...

15 Easy LinkedIn Profile Tips You Should Do Today