Vanessa Van Edwards teaches how to read facial expressions and nonverbal cues through deliberate practice. Start with training modules at different speeds and angles, move to pausing TV and YouTube videos, then watch live with others to discuss what you see. Record your own video calls to review later, practice in groups, and apply it face-to-face.
How do you practice? That's the biggest question I always get. Now, the very first way that you hone your skills is this training. I want you to go through all the different training modules, all the different speeds, the side angle, the mass, the subtle, the big expressions. That's going to help you the most. The next way that I want you to practice is start with recorded TV or YouTube videos. You can pause it so you can watch it and be like, ooh, did I just see anger? Did I just see surprise? And you can pause it, rewind, and watch again, and then go to live TV and movies and try to watch them with someone else. Take this training with your kids or your partner or your colleagues and then be like, hey, do you see that contempt? I swear I just saw that contempt. That tease allows you to sort of talk out loud with someone else or brainstorm out loud. The fourth way that you can practice is actually with live video call that you can record and watch later. The next step is for you to practice on yourself in a group dynamic. And then, of course, last, when you're finally ready, go for that in person interaction. See all the live facial expressions. It is like watching or interacting in life in high definition, and it's incredible.
