How to Master Reading Body Language: 7 Tips and Tricks to Read People’s Mind

 

    Have you ever spoken to someone and felt like their words were not matching their actions? Or wished you could understand what someone was really thinking or feeling based on their body language? The ability to read body language is a valuable skill in both personal and professional settings. While it may seem like a daunting task, with practice and observation, any of us can become better at interpreting body language. 

    I 've always been intrigued by the art of reading body language and have delved into articles and books on the subject. Most recently I read “Reading People: How to Understand People and Predict Their Behavior--Anytime, Anyplace” by Wendy Patrick Mazzarella and Jo-Ellan Dimitrius who has been a consultant in more than 60 jury trials including Rodney King, John Dupont, McMartin Preschool and O.J. Simpson cases. It was a great read but to be honest I was pretty disappointed I did not get the holy grail to ready people easily and conclusively 😊. Nonetheless, I gained some useful insights that could benefit your daily routine. I am committed to putting them into practice and hope you may find them helpful as well. 

• Pay Attention to Facial Expressions: When reading body language, one of the most critical areas to focus on is the face. Facial expressions can communicate a variety of emotions, including happiness, sadness, anger, and fear. For example, raised eyebrows can indicate surprise or confusion, while a furrowed brow can signal anger or frustration. A genuine smile involves not only the mouth but also the eyes, while a fake smile often looks forced and doesn't involve the eyes. To better understand facial expressions, observe people's faces in different social situations and try to establish a baseline for the range of emotions someone generally displays. 

• Notice Changes in Posture: Posture can reveal a lot about a person's mood and level of confidence. For instance, someone who is feeling down may slouch or have their shoulders bent forward, while someone who is feeling confident may stand up straight with their shoulders back. When someone is nervous, they may fidget or sway from side to side. By observing these changes in posture, you can get a better sense of someone's emotional state. Additionally, posture is a subtle way that we communicate with others. Sit up straight when you are observing someone as some people may also mirror your posture. A person who is feeling apprehensive may slump their shoulders and tilt their head, while a more confident person will typically stand up straight with their head held high. Additionally, observe body orientation - who are they facing towards? It can show who they are interested in in a conversation…try it out in your next meeting and see if you observe any change in the other persons posture. 

• Micro-Expressions: Micro-expressions are brief and involuntary expressions that occur when someone is trying to repress their true emotions. These expressions last only for 1/25 to 1/15 of a second, so you have to pay close attention to detect them. You can often notice these expressions when the face changes from a neutral expression to a quickly expressed emotion, then immediately back to a neutral expression. Pay attention to the subtle movements of the eyebrows, mouth, and eyes.

• Listen to Their Tone of Voice: Another critical aspect to consider when interpreting body language is the tone of voice. The tone of voice can indicate the level of interest, urgency, or emotion involved in a conversation. For instance, a monotone voice can indicate boredom or a lack of interest, while a high-pitched voice can indicate nervousness or excitement. A sarcastic tone can reveal someone's true feelings toward a topic when their words are indicating otherwise. 

• Eye Contact: The way someone maintains or avoids eye contact is an important indicator of their emotions. Appropriate eye contact is generally seen as an indicator of confidence and honesty while avoiding it may indicate shyness, lack of confidence, or dishonesty. Prolonged direct eye contact may indicate dominance in the conversation, while quick, furtive glances can be suggestive of submissiveness. For example, A person's level of comfort in a conversation will reflect in their eye contact - comfortable people usually maintain eye contact during conversations. However, eye contact varies from culture to culture, and not making eye contact could simply be a sign of respect where you are. 

• The Use of Hands and Body Movement: The way someone uses their hands and other body movements also provides insight into their emotions. For example, if someone speaks with their hands, and the movements are animated, it indicates they are passionate about the topic being discussed. Slouching, crossing arms can signify that someone is closed off to hearing or contributing to the conversation. 

• Personal Space: Personal space refers to the physical distance between two people. Observing it goes a long way in reading nonverbal signals in a given situation. Closed environments, like crowded spaces, may not indicate uncomfortable or interpersonal conflicts all the time; likewise, people may carry themselves differently in an open area versus a tight space. Generally, those who maintain a bigger distance with someone else signify reserve or the desire for privacy.

     Understanding how to read body language is a valuable skill that can enhance your interpersonal relationships and interactions with others. Remember that when reading body language, observation and interpretation takes time and effort. Always try to use a combination of body cues to get a sense of a person's emotions, and don't rely on one signal solely. It's essential to keep in mind that body language should be interpreted based on the individual's baseline and the context of the situation. Make the learning fun by practice with friends and coworkers, and start by paying more attention to your own body language, so you can better understand and use it to your benefit.