How to Know if Someone is Lying

Recently I have been doing lot of Workshops for Corporate around Interviewing and Hiring and a common question is "How to tell if someone is Lying".

As professionals, we're often tasked with evaluating the credibility of others, whether it's in job interviews, negotiations, or other situations. One key aspect of credibility is determining the truthfulness of a person's statements. While there is no foolproof method for detecting lies, there are several techniques that can be used to assess the veracity of a person's statements. In this post, we'll explore some of these techniques and how they can be applied in different situations.

Eye contact: If a person is telling the truth, they may maintain steady eye contact with the listener. However, if they are lying, they may avoid eye contact or maintain it for too long to try and appear more credible. For example, if a job candidate is asked about their experience with a certain software program and they begin to look away or fidget while speaking, it may indicate that they are not being truthful.

Body language: Changes in a person's body language, such as fidgeting, crossing their arms, or slouching, can indicate that they are lying. For instance, if a business partner is asked about a recent business deal and they begin to slouch or shift their weight from one foot to another, it may indicate that they are not being truthful.

Vocal cues: Changes in a person's tone of voice, pitch, or tempo can indicate that they are lying. For example, if a client is asked about their satisfaction with a recent product or service and they begin to speak in a higher-pitched or more rapid tone, it may indicate that they are not being truthful.

Language patterns: People who are lying may use vague or overly complex language, avoid the use of contractions, or use language that distances themselves from the lie. For instance, if an employee is asked about their whereabouts during a certain time period and they say "I was not present at the office at that time" instead of "I was not in the office," it may indicate that they are trying to distance themselves from the lie.

Physiology: Changes in a person's physiology, such as increased sweating or rapid breathing, can indicate that they are lying. For example, if a witness is asked about a crime they witnessed and they begin to sweat or breathe rapidly, it may indicate that they are not being truthful.

Calibration: By establishing a baseline for a person's normal behavior, such as their vocal patterns or body language, deviations from that baseline can indicate that they are lying. For instance, if a manager is used to an employee being talkative and outgoing, but suddenly becomes quiet and reserved when asked about a project, it may indicate that they are not being truthful.

Micro-expressions: Brief, involuntary facial expressions, such as a flash of fear or disgust, can reveal a person's true emotions and indicate that they are lying. For example, if a suspect is asked about their involvement in a crime and they briefly show a look of fear, it may indicate that they are not being truthful.

Preferred thinking and communication styles: Changes in a person's communication style, such as becoming more detail-oriented or focused on the big picture, can indicate that they are lying. For instance, if a candidate is asked about their experience with a certain software program and they suddenly become more detail-oriented in their response than they were in their previous responses, it may indicate that they are not being truthful.

Reframing: By changing the context or meaning of a person's statements, it can be possible to challenge their statements and assess their truthfulness. For example, if an employee is asked about their role in a recent project and they respond with a vague statement, You may reframe the question by asking "So you're saying that you did not contribute anything to the project?" This can be used to challenge the employee's statement and assess their truthfulness.

Using these tools shall require some practice and also establishing a baseline is sacrosanct at the outset by asking simple questions.

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