In a world that thrives on verbal and non-verbal communication, it’s crucial to master the art of presenting yourself with the utmost credibility. Whether speaking with a colleague, conducting an interview, or addressing an audience, your credibility is on the line whenever you speak. You may be telling the truth, but how you present that truth can make all the difference in how it’s received. Here are some key insights on how to come across as 100% credible based on real-life experiences and observations.
The Power of Body Language in Communication
Body language is one of the most influential aspects of communication. In many cases, it speaks louder than words and can communicate emotions, thoughts, and intentions before we even say a word. Body language isn’t just about our physical posture; it encompasses facial expressions, gestures, eye movement, tone of voice, and even how we breathe. For Helen, a headhunter who has seen it all in the interview room, body language is a key determinant in evaluating an applicant’s credibility.
In the case of the marketing director interview, the young woman initially appeared confident. She maintained eye contact and sat open, suggesting comfort and ease. However, subtle, unconscious shifts occurred once Helen asked why the candidate had left her previous job. The applicant’s body language betrayed her, even when her words remained poised. Her eyes flicked away momentarily, her body shifted, and her hands moved toward her face—classic signs that something wasn’t quite as straightforward as she was presenting. These slight changes didn’t immediately confirm deceit, but they gave Helen the clues she needed to probe deeper.
Body language is powerful because it often reveals subconscious thoughts and emotions. It’s nearly impossible even if people try to mask these nonverbal cues. A nervous twitch, a change in posture, or an involuntary facial expression can all indicate discomfort or anxiety, even if the words seem perfectly aligned. These signals help us evaluate the emotional context behind what someone says and can reveal deeper truths or contradictions. Whether we know it or not, our body language constantly broadcasts information about our inner state.
Understanding how body language works can make us more aware of how we’re perceived, which is essential for building trust and credibility. When we project open, relaxed body language, we come across as approachable, confident, and truthful. On the other hand, when our body language betrays us—through crossed arms, lack of eye contact, or fidgeting—we risk sending mixed messages, which can damage our credibility. Recognizing and mastering body language is thus a powerful tool in any communication setting, whether a job interview, a business meeting, or a casual conversation.
The Role of Non-Verbal Cues
Nonverbal communication—from facial expressions to how we carry ourselves—is indispensable in conveying meaning. Research suggests that over 90% of communication is nonverbal. While we may focus heavily on our words, our tone of voice, posture, and facial expressions reveal far more about our thoughts and feelings than we realize. Nonverbal cues are especially important when gauging someone’s honesty or reliability.
Helen’s keen observation skills allowed her to detect the discrepancies between the young woman’s words and body language. After asking about the reason for leaving her previous job, the candidate experienced a noticeable shift in behavior. She broke eye contact and rubbed her arm—classic signs of discomfort or evasion. This is a key example of how body language often betrays a person’s true emotions, especially when trying to cover up a more difficult truth.
When a person speaks, their words carry meaning, but their body language and non-verbal cues often reveal the emotional undercurrent. This becomes particularly clear in high-stakes or stressful situations, where someone’s emotions—whether anxiety, guilt, or fear—spill out in unconscious ways. In these moments, facial expressions can become particularly revealing. A nervous smile, a fleeting glance, or a furrowed brow can speak volumes. By understanding these cues, we can gain deeper insights into a person’s true state of mind and motivations.
One of the challenges of nonverbal communication is that it is often subtle, and not everyone is trained to pick up on these cues. But, as Helen demonstrates, being aware of these small movements and reactions can give us a significant advantage when reading a situation. Whether in an interview, negotiation or even casual conversation, tuning in to these nonverbal cues can help you discern truth from fiction, offering a more accurate understanding of the person you’re interacting with.
The Limitations of the Polygraph
For decades, polygraphs, or lie detectors, have been used by law enforcement agencies, employers, and other organizations to detect deception. The idea behind the polygraph is simple: it measures physiological responses like heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, and skin conductivity, all of which are believed to fluctuate when a person experiences emotional arousal, such as when they’re lying. However, despite its widespread use, the polygraph is far from being a reliable tool for detecting lies.
While lying often leads to physical changes in the body—such as increased heart rate or sweating—these responses can also occur due to various other factors. Anxiety, fear, nervousness, and even the simple stress of taking a polygraph test can cause these same physiological reactions, regardless of whether the person is lying. This makes it incredibly difficult for the polygraph to distinguish accurately between deception and other emotional responses.
Moreover, skilled individuals—such as trained interrogators or experienced liars—can learn to control their physiological responses, effectively fooling the machine. They may learn techniques to control their breathing, regulate their heart rate, or suppress feelings of anxiety, thus bypassing the polygraph’s detection mechanisms. This has led to significant doubts about the accuracy and reliability of the polygraph as a tool for detecting lies.
While polygraphs can sometimes offer useful information, they are not foolproof. They cannot tell us whether someone is telling the truth or lying—they can only measure physiological responses to stress, which a wide range of emotions can cause. This highlights the importance of relying on verbal and non-verbal cues to assess truthfulness rather than relying on technology alone. Despite its reputation, the polygraph is not an infallible method of deception detection, and its results should always be considered in context.
Fidgeting and the Perception of Lying
Fidgeting, often seen as a nervous habit, can significantly impact a person’s perception, especially when credibility is at stake. It’s easy to assume that someone who fidgets is being deceitful or untruthful. However, fidgeting can occur for nervousness, discomfort, or even simple restlessness. The issue arises when these physical signs of anxiety are misinterpreted as lying, which can lead to misunderstandings.
When people are under pressure, whether it’s a job interview, a high-stakes negotiation, or a public presentation, they may begin to fidget unconsciously. They might adjust their clothing, tap their feet, or touch their face. These small, seemingly insignificant movements can be interpreted as signs of discomfort, but they are often simply reactions to the tension or stress of the situation. The challenge lies in distinguishing between genuine signs of dishonesty and natural physical reactions to nerves or discomfort.
The problem becomes even more complex when external factors influence fidgeting. For example, someone might loosen their collar because the room is too warm or rub their neck due to physical strain. Though perfectly innocent, these actions could be misread as signs of deceit. Environmental factors, such as the temperature of the room, the lighting, or the general atmosphere, can also trigger fidgeting. This makes it essential to approach body language with nuance and context, as misinterpreting these signals can lead to inaccurate judgments.
Fidgeting can undermine trust in situations where credibility is crucial, even when a person is telling the truth. This is why people in high-profile or high-pressure situations often train themselves to minimize unnecessary movements. When communicating, especially under scrutiny, it’s important to recognize the potential impact of fidgeting and strive to maintain a composed, controlled demeanor. Doing so can help ensure your message is received with the trust and credibility it deserves.
How to Avoid the Pitfalls of Fidgeting
It is important to manage your body language and limit unnecessary fidgeting to come across as confident, credible, and trustworthy. This begins with awareness—paying attention to your movements and understanding when and why you tend to fidget. Are you nervous about a job interview? Do you feel uncomfortable in a group setting? Identifying the triggers for your fidgeting will help you anticipate and control these reactions.
The next step is to practice stillness. When you feel the urge to adjust your clothing, scratch your nose, or shift your seat, consciously resist the impulse. Instead, focus on remaining still and composed. A confident posture, with both feet planted firmly on the ground and your hands resting comfortably, conveys control and ease. Maintaining eye contact and avoiding unnecessary gestures can reinforce your credibility and help your audience focus on your words rather than your physical movements.
Professional communicators, particularly those in high-stakes environments, understand the importance of managing their body language. They train to limit fidgeting and convey calmness and confidence through their posture and demeanor. This doesn’t mean being stiff or unnatural but rather being aware of the impact of their movements and making a conscious effort to reduce anything that could distract from their message.
While this might initially feel awkward, it will become second nature over time. The more you practice limiting fidgeting, the more natural it will feel to remain composed in difficult or high-pressure situations. Mastering this technique can significantly improve your credibility, making it easier for others to trust you and believe in the authenticity of your message.
The Technique of Limiting the Fidget
Whenever your conversation counts, let your nose itch, ear tingle, or foot prickle. Do not fidget, twitch, wiggle, squirm, or scratch. And above all, keep your paws away from your puss. Hand motions and fidgeting near your face can give your listener the gut feeling you’re fibbing.
Technique #7 – Limit the Fidget
Mastering the “limiting the fidget” technique is about more than simply staying still—it’s about maintaining control over your physical presence, especially during critical moments when your credibility is on the line. By minimizing any unnecessary movements, you convey a sense of composure, confidence, and trustworthiness.
To implement this technique, start by becoming aware of your natural tendencies. Do you tend to scratch your head when you’re nervous? Do you shift your weight when you’re unsure of what to say? Once you identify these patterns, practice remaining still and composed. This doesn’t mean you should suppress all body movement—human communication relies on non-verbal cues, like hand gestures or facial expressions, to enhance the message—but it’s about avoiding those small, distracting movements that can be misinterpreted.
Focusing on stillness can be especially effective in high-stakes situations, such as job interviews or presentations. A calm, controlled posture helps others focus on your words rather than your physical movements, which can significantly increase your perceived credibility. Over time, this practice will make you appear more self-assured and composed, ensuring your message is delivered with the confidence and authority needed to build trust.
Conclusion
Credibility is not solely about the content of your message but also how it’s delivered. A confident posture, controlled gestures, and steady eye contact can reinforce the truth you’re speaking. On the other hand, unnecessary fidgeting or involuntary body movements can undermine your credibility, even when you’re telling the truth.
Being aware of how you present yourself is key in every personal or professional interaction. Minimizing distracting movements and staying conscious of your body language increases the likelihood that your audience will perceive you as trustworthy and confident. The ultimate ability to control the smallest details—like limiting the fidget—can help you come across as 100% credible to everyone you meet.
This article is part of the How to Talk to Anyone Series based on Leil Lowndes’ book.