Top Lawyer Coach, LLC

Do You Appear to Be Lying - Even When You're Telling the Truth?

Making small talk or speaking in front of a large crowd can be rather tricky. Every move you make - intentional or not - is SCRUTINIZED!

And, that means your listeners may mistake you for a liar - even when you're not!

Leil Lowdes, author of How to Talk to Anyone, suggests that this type of problem arises when we're feeling insecure or intimidated. Or, the problem may stem from the environment.

Here's how Lowdes explains it.

"A woman talking about her company's track record to an important client could rub her neck. A businessman who doesn't feel nervous at all could loosen his collar because the  room is hot.

...these fidgety movements give the listeners the sense that something just isn't right or a gut feeling that the speaker is lying."

These are NOT scenarios you want to find yourself in. Alert yourself to this hazard by recognizing signs that send the wrong message.

For instance.

• Don't blink repeatedly or shift your eyes. Fix your gaze on the listener(s).
• Don't put your hand on your face or rub your nose - even if you have an itch.
• Don't let them see you sweat by mopping your brow or forehead.
• Don't loosen your collar - even if it's hot.
• Don't shield your eyes from the sun.

FIDGETING UNDERMINES CREDIBILITY!

The next time you're speaking, try to limit extraneous movement.

Ignore that itch, tickle, or tinge - and make your communication count!