Sizing People Up audiobook cover - A Veteran FBI Agent’s User Manual for Behavior Prediction

Sizing People Up

A Veteran FBI Agent’s User Manual for Behavior Prediction

Robin Dreeke and Cameron Stauth

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Categories:
Corporate CulturePsychology

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Sizing People Up
Circumstances Predict Behavior+
Shared Success+
Cultivating Mutual Trust+
Assessing True Reliability+
Past Behavior Patterns+
Language and Apologies+
Emotional Stability+
Actionable Strategy+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 9
According to the author, why is it often harder to predict the behavior of a powerful or wealthy person?
  • A. They have complex motivations that are difficult to read.
  • B. They are largely protected from the consequences of their actions.
  • C. They tend to hide their true emotions behind a professional facade.
  • D. They are more likely to rely on intuition rather than logic.
Question 2 of 9
Why does doing someone a favor actually make the helper like the recipient more?
  • A. It triggers a subconscious desire for a reciprocal favor.
  • B. It establishes a clear power dynamic that the helper enjoys.
  • C. It helps the helper avoid cognitive dissonance by aligning their feelings with their actions.
  • D. It releases oxytocin, which naturally builds long-term trust.
Question 3 of 9
What is recommended as an effective way to show others that you are worthy of their trust?
  • A. Highlighting your past achievements so they know you are competent.
  • B. Pointing out their mistakes constructively to show you care about their growth.
  • C. Putting your ego aside and making them feel validated.
  • D. Keeping conversations strictly professional, objective, and emotionally detached.
Question 4 of 9
Why are work tasks during an interview process considered an incomplete measure of a potential employee's reliability?
  • A. They only measure a candidate's competence, not their diligence.
  • B. They cause too much anxiety, skewing the applicant's true abilities.
  • C. They only reflect how an applicant performs in a highly collaborative team setting.
  • D. They are often too brief to measure a candidate's real intelligence.
Question 5 of 9
What does the author suggest is the underlying cause of someone repeatedly gossiping to you about others?
  • A. A desire to build a closer bond with you through shared secrets.
  • B. A high level of emotional intelligence and social observation.
  • C. A deep-seated personal insecurity.
  • D. A natural inclination toward leadership and team management.
Question 6 of 9
Which type of language is a trustworthy person most likely to use, according to the text?
  • A. Complex vocabulary that demonstrates their expertise.
  • B. Simple, clear language and moderate words like 'sometimes' or 'often'.
  • C. Fast-paced, smooth rhetoric that keeps the listener engaged.
  • D. Absolutist words like 'always' or 'never' to show unwavering conviction.
Question 7 of 9
How does an untrustworthy person typically handle making a mistake?
  • A. They offer a full apology but intentionally repeat the mistake later.
  • B. They immediately resign or remove themselves from the situation to avoid shame.
  • C. They use phrases like 'I'm sorry, but...' followed by excuses or attacks.
  • D. They remain completely silent and refuse to acknowledge the error occurred.
Question 8 of 9
Which of the following is NOT one of the traits of the '3-P personality' found in emotionally unstable people?
  • A. Believing that any hardship they experience is permanent.
  • B. Projecting their own flaws onto the people around them.
  • C. Feeling that the problems they face are pervasive across all areas of life.
  • D. Personalizing misfortune and believing everything that goes wrong is their fault.
Question 9 of 9
What is the author's ultimate actionable advice for predicting how someone will behave in the future?
  • A. Analyze their body language for subtle signs of deception.
  • B. Trust your intuition and gut feelings about their overall character.
  • C. Assume they will act in their own best interests and figure out what they want.
  • D. Test their loyalty by giving them a minor false piece of information.

Sizing People Up — Full Chapter Overview

Sizing People Up Summary & Overview

Sizing People Up (2020) explores the subtle behavioral clues that reveal someone’s true character and intentions. From divining people’s mindset to analyzing their language to understanding common behavioral patterns, these blinks reveal who you can trust – and who you definitely can’t. 

Who Should Listen to Sizing People Up?

  • Recruiters looking to up their game
  • Psychology buffs seeking fresh insights
  • Sales people wanting to develop their skills

About the Author: Robin Dreeke and Cameron Stauth

Robin Dreeke is the former head of the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Program and has over 30 years of experience in the science of behavior and interpersonal relationships. Dreeke is also the founder and president of People Formula, LLC – a consultancy that helps people hone their communication and rapport-building skills. Cameron Stauth is an author and journalist who specializes in nonfiction and science writing. 

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