Cues by Vanessa Van Edwards Summary
Overview of Cues
Discover the hidden language that separates the magnetic from the forgettable. "Cues" reveals how charisma isn't innate but learnable through four key signals - body, vocal, verbal, and visual. What if the difference between being ignored and being influential was something you could master in weeks?
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Key takeaways
Why Some Ideas Shine While Others Sink
Ever notice how certain people effortlessly capture attention while equally talented individuals fade into the background? Consider Jamie Siminoff's first Shark Tank appearance with his doorbell camera, Doorbot - later known as Ring, the billion-dollar company Amazon acquired. Despite impressive sales figures and clear market potential, every single investor passed. The problem wasn't his invention. It was his delivery. Question inflections crept into his statements. Nervous swallows punctuated his pitch. Halting speech undermined his confidence. Meanwhile, he completely missed Mark Cuban's "mouth shrug" - a telltale sign of disbelief. Years later, when Siminoff returned as an investor himself, his transformed presence told a completely different story. Same person, different cues, opposite outcome. This reveals something crucial: brilliant ideas need strong signals to carry them forward. What we say matters far less than how we say it. Think about someone you find charismatic. You can picture them instantly, yet defining what makes them compelling proves surprisingly difficult. Princeton researchers discovered that 82% of our first impressions boil down to two core traits: warmth and competence. We unconsciously ask two questions within seconds of meeting someone - Can I trust you? Can I rely on you? The magic happens when both answers ring true simultaneously. High warmth without competence creates likability without respect. Think Steve Wozniak - beloved and friendly, yet historically overshadowed by his more commanding partner Steve Jobs. People perceived Wozniak as trustworthy and compassionate but not particularly powerful. Conversely, high competence without warmth generates respect without connection. Mark Zuckerberg, Anna Wintour, and Elon Musk command rooms and drive innovation, yet they're often criticized for seeming harsh or emotionally distant. Their ideas land, but their relationships suffer.
Decoding the Invisible Signals That Shape Every Interaction
The Body Speaks Louder Than Words
Building Bridges Through Warmth
Commanding Respect Without Saying a Word
The Voice That Moves Mountains
Becoming Fluent in the Language of Connection
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
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"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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