Have you ever left a room wondering if anyone really saw you—despite doing everything right? It’s not just you. According to research, nearly half of all employees say that they have felt overlooked at work because of misperceptions about their skills or style. Enter: Vanessa Van Edwards.
Vanessa, the bestselling author, Harvard instructor, and behavioral researcher, just dropped a new course on MasterClass that’s basically a how-to guide to learning career superpowers. In “People Intelligence: Read, Lead and Influence Any Room,” Vanessa breaks down the subtle (and science-backed) cues that shape how others perceive you—and how to use them to show up with confidence to be seen, heard, and taken seriously.
We sat down with Vanessa to talk about her journey from self-described “recovering awkward person” to world-renowned communication coach.
You’ve helped thousands decode human behavior—what inspired you to create this class on MasterClass right now?
I’ve spent years teaching people how to decode human behavior, and one thing I’ve learned is that the demand for these skills has never been greater. Whether it’s navigating hybrid work environments, building trust in professional relationships, or simply connecting more deeply with others, people are craving tools to communicate better.
How did you first get into this work?
I like to say I’m a recovering awkward person. Growing up, I always felt like I was missing some secret social playbook that everyone else seemed to have. I’d watch charismatic people and think, “How do they do that?” That curiosity led me to dive into the science of human behavior. I started researching everything from body language to vocal tone to microexpressions, and I realized that charisma isn’t something you’re born with—it’s a skill you can learn.
What’s one surprising body language habit that makes or breaks that moment?
Eye contact at the end of a sentence. We often hear ‘make more eye contact,’ but this is not so simple. First, you do not need to make 100% eye contact—that’s creepy. When you meet someone for the first time, holding purposeful eye contact for just a few seconds signals confidence, trustworthiness, and presence. But here’s the surprising part: You are welcome to look away as you converse, especially if you are processing or thinking about ideas. The sweet spot is about 60-70% of the time during a conversation. I call this “gazing with purpose,” and it’s one of the easiest ways to nail a first impression in under 7 seconds.
Why do you think the “visibility gap” is so common—and how can we start to close it?
The visibility gap happens when your skills and contributions aren’t fully
