UNTAPPED Is Confidence A Myth? Ex-Secret agent on the secrets of body language
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May 5, 2025 
Evy Poumpouras, a former Secret Service agent and best-selling author, reveals the secrets of body language and empathy. She explains how non-verbal cues can uncover true intentions and the importance of competence over confidence. Evy challenges myths about confidence, suggesting action is key to success. She discusses the complexities of narcissism and antisocial behavior while promoting the power of listening over speaking in communication. Dive into how understanding human behavior can transform your leadership and interpersonal skills!
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Body Language Dominates Communication
- People communicate mostly through body language and voice tone, not words. 7% of communication is verbal, 55% is body language, and 38% is paralinguistics like tone and cadence.
- Detecting deception works by knowing a person's baseline behavior and spotting shifts, but bias and desire for outcomes often blind us to red flags.
Expertise Makes Reading Natural
- Evy does not overanalyze people constantly; reading body language becomes muscle memory from extensive practice.
- This skill is like driving a car: initially hard, but automatic with experience and proper training.
Lack of Empathy Defines Psychopaths
- Psychopaths (antisocial personality disorder) and narcissists share lack of empathy. This trait enables them to hurt or deceive others without remorse.
- Signs start young with behaviors like oppositional defiant disorder; these traits often include charm and societal dysfunction.
