read body language books as a first step. they will give an insight into your body laguage, as well as how to read other people's. the 'definitive book of body language' by allan and barbara pease was very usefull for me. then by all means head into nlp, but be careful of it (do your research!). good luck!

I took a course in NLP for 4 weeks one summer in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It was excellent. I may not subscribe to the physical techniques (ie. anchoring), but I very much enjoyed and find the verbal techniques most useful, practical and positive for those listening to me. There is a book called "Introduction to NLP" that I have at home and forget the author's name at the moment. It is very good. It also shows the eye accessing cues diagram that has been mentioned in a few movies (The Negotiator as well as in CSI) to gain insight into how a person percieves their reality (ie. visually, verbally or kinesthetically). I don't necessarily know what pseudoscience is; I just know, if it works, makes sense to me and has a positive outcome for those I interact with….then who cares what others call it. I highly recommend knowing NLP.
Regards, Brian

NLP is good for things like getting in the right frame of mind. Definately read up on some techniques. Other alternatives would be to take a class on interpersonal communication. They usually will offer this at any community college.