Power Tip #2: The Secret Behind a Brash Move
August 13, 2007 – 8:16 pm | by Carl Zetterlund
Power Tips are daily brief pieces of advice. I do not remember the source of this tip, but I have used it countless times. I have seen its effectiveness first hand.
Have you ever played a game that requires you to read other people?
These game are becoming more popular as they integrally combine the most intriguing element, the human being. This is self-evident in the newest craze, Texas Hold’em Poker. While many players rely on the probability of cards, the most successful rely more heavily on reading people’s minds. Here’s one tip that you should look out for, and it doesn’t end at the poker table.
Watch for a player who throws chips forcefully on the table or suddenly behaves in a brash or aggressive way. He may be masking his weak hand of cards. Keep in mind that most people do not make a huge scene. However, they may just emphasize the betting of chips just slightly more than usual. The point is that people are poor bluffers and tend to overcompensate when they try.
The same goes for any kind of negotiation, business or personal. It is not common to see business executives in negotiation repeatably exclaim that they are making a huge concessions when they are really not. Other signs include acts such as talking way too much and back slapping (displaying excessive friendliness). If you really want to see this in action, go to a flea market and negotiate on prices. You are guaranteed to see this phenomenon happen.
So the next time you are out and about, make a mental note to watch out of these signs. You never know when it’ll come in handy. Keep in mind this isn’t full proof. Use it as just another tool to a little deeper when someone is giving you the brash move.
If you’re truly evil, tone down that body language if you want to get away with it!
Carl
P.S. This tip falls under Body Language, which is the most important form of communication. You can read more about it in my Intro to Body Language Post. To get you started, I recommend this amazing book called The Definitive Book of Body Language by Allan and Barbara Pease. Alan Pease is by far the leader in teaching body language and has written one of the most insightful books I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. Click here now to buy from Amazon
