15 Ways to Tell If Someone's Lying

Liars and lies can be hard to detect. However, there are 15 signs in this article. This article divides the 15 signs into verbal and nonverbal communication hints.

Verbal



Noncontracted denial
Distancing language
Specific denial
Inappropriate tense
Qualifying language
An overemphasis on their truthfulness
Religious references
Euphemisms

Nonverbal



Smacking or biting the lips
Grooming gestures, like playing with hair or picking off lint
Hand wringing
Excessive sweating
Closed eyes
Slumped posture
Lowered voice

The article also notes that it is important to know how the person acts normally before assessing if there are lying.
Just because somebody smacks their lips and sweats doesn’t mean they’re lying. It’s important to extend the conversation when we see these signs, so the person returns to their baseline, when they act like their usual selves. “You need to know someone’s norm,” she said, before you can really start to interpret the indicators

I think that most of these are accurate with the exception of lowered voice. Most of the time when people lie to me, their voice raises. However, I understand that some people try to compensate for high voices by lowering it.
What do you guys think of this list? Is this list inaccurate? How do you know when people are lying to you? When you are lying do you exhibit any of the things stated on the list? All comments are appreciated.
 

As an employee myself, I believe that CEOs sometimes need to lie especially if finances are not well so as not to alarm his subordinates. He has the responsibility to keep the work environment peaceful to maintain productiveness in the office.

 

I think that most of a CEO's job involves manipulating people on a daily basis (I don't necessarily mean in a Machiavellian way). He is looking out for the good of the company, shareholders and his own paycheck. I agree with above that there are times when he is going to lie so as to avoid massive complications or PR nightmares. I still find it very interesting that when they are lying they are mainly distancing themselves (knowing it is coming) or making others agree with them with phrases such as "as you know" so as to make it look like a 'suprise' to everyone.

 

OP what do u mean by:

"Obviously this study assumes that all CEOs are knowingly lying, which isn’t always the case"

Only knowingly making false statements is considered lies, otherwise it wouldn't be a lie.

 

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See my WSO blog "The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education." Albert Einstein

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