How do we make character judgments? Kohut and Neffinger demystify the process we use to size each other up. It turns out that we judge each other primarily on two critical criteria: strength and warmth. They explain the inner workings of each, the tension that makes it so hard to project both at once, and the successful strategies that the most admired among us use to win respect and affection. Draws on cutting-edge research and the authors' work with Fortune 500 executives, politicians, and Nobel Prize winners to demystify the human process of social evaluation while explaining how to build personal strength and kindness.

The big idea -- Strength --Warmth -- Strength vs. warmth -- Strength + warmth -- The hand you are dealt -- Quick and dirty judgement -- Gender -- Ethnicity-- Age -- A closer look at looks -- Body type -- Sexual orientation and identity -- Disability -- Playing the hand -- The choice is yours -- Nonverbal communication -- Space -- Face -- Voice -- Mirroring -- Style -- Words -- Verbal strength -- Verbal warmth: the circle -- Strength + warmth, word by word -- Making it happen -- Strength and warmth in the world -- Into the wild -- At work -- Words at work -- Leadership -- In public speaking -- In politics -- Online -- In love -- Epilogue.