Real reviews of Science of People courses, books and training programs, collected from students, readers and graduates.
People School is the flagship communication training program from Science of People, taught by bestselling author and behavioral investigator Vanessa Van Edwards. Students build practical charisma, confidence and influence skills through video lessons, live office hours and a private community.
The whole course is simply amazing and full of nothing but useful info. What I liked the most is the mindset of taking small solid steps in order to start and keep moving. In other words avoiding the "All or Nothing" attitude, that's exactly what I do in my job, we adapt the exercises to each and every individual so they can start and/or improve their skills according to their own level at that time.
I used to focus on purely communicating the message when I talked to others, but I realized now that I have to choose words that convey a balance of warmth and competence and also cater the words to the audience.
My biggest aha moment was in realizing that I have unnecessary uncertainty that comes across in some of my emails. My action step is to simplify my communication by removing unnecessary words or replace them with warm words.
On a better note - I am so pleased with the success I've achieved and the improvements I've had happen to me - when do phone calls at work and even when talking to management - all as a result of YOUR teaching. Love the tip that you lend out - "Speak on the out breath." That's effective stuff! Thanks Vanessa
The People Coach Certification is the professional coaching credential from Science of People. Coaches, trainers and leaders learn to teach the PEOPLE framework — the science-based communication curriculum developed by Vanessa Van Edwards — and get a ready-to-use client toolkit, practice cohorts and certification on completion.
Participating in the People Coach program was incredibly clarifying for me as a coach and communicator. Before the program, I knew I was passionate about helping people communicate with more confidence and empathy, but I hadn't fully defined who I was meant to serve. The structure of the curriculum and the People Framework helped me step back and think more strategically about my work, my voice, and the audience I want to impact most. What stood out to me is how grounded the program is in science. The breakdown of cues, presence, observation, and power gave me a clear, research-backed language for understanding human interaction. Instead of communication feeling abstract, it suddenly became something observable, measurable, and teachable. Through the exercises and reflection throughout the program, I gained real clarity on the audience I want to serve: professionals who are stepping into leadership and want to communicate with both warmth and authority. The framework helped me connect the dots between my own experiences in leadership and the skills I now want to teach. The program didn't just teach communication skills. It helped me define my mission as a coach. I'm walking away with a stronger vision, a clearer audience, and a framework that will shape the programs I build moving forward.
I remember the excitement of finding out I was accepted into this program, and looking back, it has exceeded every expectation. The insights I've gained into community support have been transformative. I love that the lessons aren't just theoretical—they are practical and adaptable to so many situations. Plus, seeing cultural consideration woven into the heart of the curriculum was a game-changer for me!
In an AI-driven world, our 'soft skills' are no longer optional—they are our greatest competitive advantage. I've found that learning to read a room, and truly seeing how you show up in it, is a total game-changer. But if you want to truly master these skills? Teach them. That's when the real transformation happens.
A very valuable and thoughtfully structured program. Science-based, practical, and easy to apply. You learn not only the content, but also how to teach it — with space to develop your own coaching style.
Read all 16 People Coach Certification reviews · Official page
Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People (Portfolio, 2017) is Vanessa Van Edwards’s bestselling field guide to human behavior. It breaks down how to work a room, decode facial expressions, spark great conversations and build lasting connections — every chapter grounded in behavioral research.
You really wrote a fantastic book here that I think embodies fundamentals in communication and succeeding with people that I believe reaches across many cultures and knows no bounds. Personally, I have recommended this book multiple times to my friends and colleagues and they tell me they absolutely loved it. Keep up the great work.
Want to make a good first impression? Feeling stuck in an awkward social situation? You are not alone. I have faced such situations in the past myself. To improve, I had to turn to different forums, websites, articles and books for help. And while they offered some good advice, the sources were scattered and I had to spend lots of time connecting the dots. So if you are looking for a single comprehensive guide that would save you time and teach how to develop #charisma and hack human behavior, I'd suggest you check out the #Captivate book by Vanessa Van Edwards.
Halfway through @vvanedwards “Captivate” insightful, funny at points, a great read all around 👍🏼 also... 😐 how do I hire her to be my personal people decoder for all time? You’d think being from Los Angeles would’ve made me less socially inept
One of the best books I’ve read years back. @vvanedwards enthusiasm is contagious even through her writings.
Cues: Master the Secret Language of Charismatic Communication (Portfolio, 2022) is Vanessa Van Edwards’s Wall Street Journal bestseller on the tiny signals — body language, vocal tone, word choice — that determine how others read you, and how to control the cues you send.
Hi Vanessa, I've spent the last few days consuming Cues and wanted to reach out to say THANK YOU! It has been a game changer for someone (whilst very confident), struggles occasionally when having one to one conversations ... notably having an almost tick like reaction when I 'get in my own head' Something that I've been working on stopping for about 5 years There are tips and insights in Cues that have already helped me in ways that I am eternally grateful for If you're ever speaking in England, or our paths cross I hope to be able to thank you in person
"Warmth" and "Competence" two concepts that Vanessa Van Edwards proposed that we should all make their use and balance aware according to what we want to communicate. CUES is definitely a practical tool to improve the communication we emit, in addition to Vanessa expressing it in a very eloquent and digestible way. Without a doubt it is a book that I like to recommend because throughout it we realize that she puts into practice everything she mentions. CUES is a book that you should not miss and that will help you a lot at all levels, whether you want to do business or look for a job.
Hi Vanessa and team, I was absolutely delighted to come home to your handwritten letter this evening! I wanted to take a moment to thank you! Cues so far has been THE only book I've recommended and bought for colleagues, friends, and clients. I haven't got as much value from the first couple of chapters from a book since I read What If? I'm 25% of the way through and have booked in a global presentation to deliver on what I have learnt from Cues, to our Customer Success and Relationship Management division. It would be awesome if you could come say hi or do a quick game like you did in your masterclass, which was AMAZING by the way. Your passion, hard work and thirst for knowledge has resulted in one of the best books I've seen published in our generation, in my humble opinion. I am so excited to see your continuing success for you and the lovely team at Science of People. You truly are remarkable!! Kind regards, Chris
Hi Vanessa, I recently came across your book Pequeños gestos, gran impacto and was immediately struck by how practical yet profound the premise is. The idea that the smallest gestures our tone, body language, and expressions can open or close doors in both leadership and everyday life feels incredibly empowering. Many of us focus on big strategies, but you've shown how influence often begins with subtle signals. What stood out to me most is how the book bridges confidence and connection. The way you frame charisma not as something people are simply "born with," but as a skill that can be cultivated through intentional cues, feels both refreshing and actionable. I can see why this would be indispensable not only for entrepreneurs and professionals, but for anyone who wants to build trust and presence in their daily interactions. It makes me wonder when you began researching and teaching about human behavior, did you already know gestures and micro-signals would become such a central focus, or did the importance of these "small details" reveal itself gradually in your work? Kind regards, Joao Merlinda