Have you ever noticed how the person you're talking to suddenly starts fiddling with their earlobe or repeating the phrase "honestly speaking"? It's not just nerves.
In 2022, an experiment confirmed that when lying, pupils dilate 45% more often and breathing becomes shallow.
For example, a person making up a story might tap their fingers automatically or avoid direct eye contact.
These micro-movements are the result of cognitive overload: the brain spends resources on fabricating lies, and the body “drains” tension.
Pay attention to the contradictions between words and gestures: a nod of the head in denial or a smile that doesn’t reach the eyes.
A Seattle HR manager uncovered a candidate's deception after noticing pauses in his speech. "When I asked about the details of a project, he paused for three seconds, although he had spoken confidently before. It later turned out that he had taken credit for someone else's accomplishments."
Such pauses are a common sign of lying, as the brain tries to “complete” the missing details.
How to train a skill
1. Observe basic behavior. Each person has unique gestures when calm. Track deviations: if a colleague suddenly stops gesturing or changes the timbre of their voice, this is a red flag.
2. Ask clarifying questions. Lying often elicits excessive detail or aggressive responses. For example, “Why did you choose this particular strategy?” is a question that can throw the liar off balance.
3. Analyze recordings. Watch videos of your speeches or interviews. Note which gestures seem unnatural: darting eyes, frequent touching of the face.
You can also try playing the game "Lie Detector" with friends. Ask each other awkward questions like: "Have you ever cheated on an exam?" and watch each other's reactions.
Over time, you will begin to notice patterns that previously eluded you.
