Have you ever dreamed of understanding what someone is thinking before they say a word? It's not magic, but a skill that can be developed.
The first step is to observe the short phrases of the interlocutor. Facial expressions last for a split second, but they reveal true emotions.
For example, a person says that he is glad to see you, but the corners of his lips turn down for a moment - this is a sign of irritation.
The second step is to analyze gestures. Crossed arms, a distant posture, a shifty gaze are signals of closedness. But don’t rush to conclusions.
Ask, “Do you seem puzzled by something?” and let the other person explain.
Often people are not aware of their movements, and your question will help them open up.
Step three: listen not only to the words, but to the pauses and intonations. If the voice gets higher at the end of an affirmative sentence, the person doubts his words.
Long pauses before answers may mean that he is choosing the “right” phrases and is not speaking sincerely.
Step four: Ask open-ended questions. Instead of "Did you like the movie?" ask "How did you feel after watching it?"
This will give you more information to analyze.
Step five: Trust your intuition. Our brain reads thousands of signals per second, and sometimes the “inner voice” warns of insincerity.
But don’t confuse intuition with prejudices – practice on those close to you, checking your guesses against reality.
These methods will not make you a mind reader, but they will help you see what is hidden behind the mask of politeness.
The key is to use them to build trust, not to control.
Author: Igor Zur