7 non-obvious body language signs that someone is being dishonest or insincere with you

Navigating the world of business isn’t just about making savvy investments and strategic decisions. It’s also about understanding people, especially when they’re not being entirely truthful with you.

Sifting through insincerity and dishonesty can be tricky, even more so when it’s hidden behind a veil of polite conversation or business jargon.

But, if you know what to look for, body language can be a surprisingly revealing tool. Sure, we’ve all heard about avoiding eye contact or fidgety hands.

But there are subtler, less obvious signs that could indicate someone isn’t being entirely upfront with you.

In this article, I’ll be sharing seven non-obvious body language signs that could suggest someone is being dishonest or insincere.

These tips will not only help you in business negotiations but can also assist in fostering more genuine relationships in your professional life.

Remember, it’s not always what’s being said—it’s often how it’s being said. So, buckle up and get ready to become a human lie detector!

1) Over-compensation in expressions

Let’s start with something that isn’t typically on the radar when we’re thinking about dishonesty: facial expressions.

Sure, we’ve all heard about avoiding eye contact or forced smiles, but there’s a subtler sign to look for – over-compensation in expressions.

Often, when someone is being insincere or dishonest, they tend to exaggerate their facial expressions in an attempt to appear more credible.

This could be anything from excessively wide eyes while telling a story or overdone surprise at information they already knew.

This over-compensation is due to the mental load of maintaining a lie or facade. The person is so focused on convincing you that they’re sincere that they end up overdoing their reactions.

So, next time you’re in a business negotiation or even having a casual chat, pay attention to the person’s expressions. If they seem overly pronounced, it could be a sign that not everything is as it seems.

But remember, context is key. Not everyone who’s expressive is being dishonest. Use this tip as one piece of the puzzle and consider it along with other signs before drawing conclusions.

2) Microexpressions

Now, let’s dive a little deeper into our exploration of facial expressions. Ever heard of microexpressions?

These are extremely brief, involuntary facial expressions that occur when someone is trying to suppress or hide their emotions.

They last only a fraction of a second but can reveal a lot about a person’s true feelings.

I remember a time, in my early days of business negotiations. I was discussing a potential partnership with another company.

The representative seemed quite eager, always smiling and nodding along. However, I noticed something peculiar.

Every time we touched on the topic of long-term commitment, for just a fleeting moment, his smile would fade and be replaced by what looked like a grimace.

At first, I brushed it off. But as it continued to happen, I realized these were microexpressions – an involuntary show of his true feelings.

Despite his verbal agreement, his microexpressions were suggesting he wasn’t too keen on a long-term partnership.

And as it turned out, my hunch was right. A few weeks down the line, they backed out of the deal citing ‘unforeseen circumstances’.

So keep an eye out for these fleeting expressions. They could be giving you insights that words fail to convey.

3) Mirroring

Mirroring is a fascinating phenomenon where people tend to unconsciously imitate the gestures, speech patterns, or attitudes of their conversation partner. It’s a way of building rapport and showing empathy.

However, when someone is being insincere or dishonest, this mirroring can become overly deliberate and noticeable.

Interestingly, research has shown that liars are more likely to mimic the person they are lying to. This is because they’re trying hard to build trust and create a sense of camaraderie.

So, if you notice someone suddenly matching your body posture or repeating your phrases, it could be a sign that they’re not being entirely honest with you.

Again, it’s essential to look at the bigger picture. Mirroring in itself is not a definitive sign of dishonesty. But when combined with other signs, it could point towards someone trying to hide their true intentions.

4) Uncharacteristic stillness

While fidgeting is often associated with nervousness and dishonesty, an unusual lack of movement can also be a telltale sign of insincerity.

When someone is being dishonest, they may become hyper-aware of their body language.

This heightened awareness can lead to a conscious effort to control their movements, resulting in an uncharacteristic stillness. They might hold their body rigid, keep their arms close to their body, or avoid making big gestures.

If you’re dealing with someone who is typically animated in their conversations and they suddenly become unusually still while discussing specific topics, it could be a sign that they’re not being entirely honest about those topics.

Remember, context is key in interpreting body language. So consider this sign in conjunction with other behaviors and the situation at hand.

5) Incongruent body language

One of the most revealing signs of dishonesty is when someone’s words don’t match their body language. This incongruence can speak volumes about their sincerity.

I recall a time when I was discussing a potential investment with a business associate. He was enthusiastic, promising high returns and minimal risks verbally.

However, his body language told a different story. His arms were crossed, his gaze often lowered, and his voice lacked conviction.

Despite his reassuring words, this incongruence between what he was saying and how he was saying it raised red flags for me.

I decided to hold off on the investment, and as it turned out later, the venture didn’t do as well as promised.

So, watch out for such discrepancies. If someone’s words and body language are telling two different stories, trust your instincts and tread carefully.

6) Rapid blinking

Blinking may seem like an insignificant detail, but it can actually be quite revealing when it comes to detecting dishonesty.

When we’re under stress, our blinking rate tends to increase.

So, if you notice someone blinking rapidly during a conversation, it could be a sign that they’re feeling anxious or uncomfortable, possibly because they’re not being completely honest.

However, remember that stress can come from various sources—it’s not always a sign of insincerity. Maybe the person is just nervous or under pressure.

Therefore, consider this sign along with other body language cues and the overall context before drawing any conclusions.

7) Forced laughter

The most crucial sign to watch out for is forced laughter. Genuine laughter is spontaneous and hard to fake. On the other hand, insincere laughter tends to be more controlled and less expressive.

When someone is being dishonest or insincere, they might use fake laughter to try and lighten the mood or distract from their deception.

If the laughter seems out of place, too prolonged, or just doesn’t reach their eyes, it can be a strong indicator that something is off.

Remember, understanding body language is about more than identifying individual signs. It’s about looking at the whole picture and considering all the signals together.

And most importantly, trust your gut feeling—it’s often right.

Final thoughts: It’s all about the bigger picture

Decoding the subtleties of human behavior, especially when it comes to detecting dishonesty, is a complex task.

It’s not just about identifying individual body language signs but understanding how they fit into the overall context.

Each gesture, expression, or posture is like a piece of a puzzle. On its own, it might not mean much. But when you start piecing them together, they can reveal a comprehensive picture of a person’s sincerity or lack thereof.

Remember the story of Paul Ekman, a renowned psychologist and pioneer in the study of emotions and their relation to facial expressions.

He discovered that facial expressions could act as a window to a person’s emotions, regardless of culture and language. That holds true for all body language signs.

So, as you navigate your professional journey, keep these signs in your arsenal. They’ll help you discern genuine relationships from insincere ones, and lead you towards more authentic exchanges.

But remember, everyone has off days where their body language might be inconsistent with their words. So, always consider the broader context and give people the benefit of the doubt.

After all, we’re all human—complex, multifaceted, and beautifully imperfect.