(Audiobook) The Like Switch: How to win people over

Another audio book I enjoyed, The Like Switch was written by Dr. Jack Schafer, a former FBI Special Agent who specialised in behaviour analysis and recruitment of spies. This was essentially a handbook summarising his proven strategies on how to "instantly read people and influence how they perceive you, so you can easily turn on the like switch".

I wouldn't necessarily say this was a life changing reading experience, but it was certainly rivetting to listen to the narration of his various anecdotes illustrating the tips and tricks to subtly influence people to form positive perceptions about you. If you were a fan of tv series like "Lie to Me", "Criminal Minds" or even "House", which often delve into the human psyche and unravel how certain scenarios unfold, I think you will enjoy this book.

Funnily enough, the biggest "ah ha" moment for me in this reading was in a chapter examining how different personalities relate to others, and when it broke down why introverts can tend to prefer online interaction over face to face communications - or more specifically, with those over-exuberant hypersocial extroverts, hurhurhur.

Internet is introvert friendly - introverts disclose more information on social networks than they do in face to face encounters. This is because the internet format allows introverts sufficient time to meaningful responses. Introverts also experience difficulty initiating conversations, especially with strangers. Social networks eliminates this added social pressure, and also allows introverts to express themselves without constantly being interrupted by extroverts. 

Introverts are more willing to say what they really believe, not having to worry about direct exposure to negative feedback that can occur in face to face communication.

The Like Switch, Jack Schafer and Marvin Karlins

Truth be told, I am not particularly fussed about making more people like me. Have come to terms rather early on in life that you can do everything you can to be righteous and nice, but you will never be able to please everyone. There will always be certain people who cast their own perceptions and choose to see you as the character they have already decided you are. Nonetheless, it was still an intriguing read and it does help me understand other personalities a little better.