cover of episode How to Handle Liars

How to Handle Liars

2024/10/29
logo of podcast The Jefferson Fisher Podcast

The Jefferson Fisher Podcast

Key Insights

Why should you take a pause and say 'I need to come back to this conversation' when you suspect someone is lying?

It signals to the liar that you are not buying their story, and they will likely overreact, revealing their dishonesty.

Why might saying 'something feels off' be an effective way to handle a liar?

If they are lying, they will try to gaslight you or challenge your sense of reality, while someone telling the truth will be willing to discuss what feels off.

Why is silence an effective strategy when you suspect someone is lying?

Liars will start to talk to themselves, falter, and get defensive in the silence, revealing their dishonesty.

Why do liars dislike delay in conversations?

They want immediate acceptance of their story and get suspicious when you need time to think or do research.

Why should you be cautious about over-explaining when answering questions?

Over-explaining can make you seem like you are hiding the truth; it’s better to give a direct answer first and then explain if necessary.

Why might a liar overreact when you challenge their story?

They will become highly defensive and possibly attack you personally, trying to shift the focus away from the lie.

Chapters

This chapter discusses how to identify a liar. Three strategies are presented: pausing the conversation, expressing that something feels off, and using silence. These tactics can reveal dishonesty without direct confrontation.
  • Liars dislike delays and overreact when their narrative is questioned.
  • Silence can make liars uncomfortable and reveal their deception.
  • Not all elaborate explanations indicate lying; consider the person's personality and the context.

Shownotes Transcript

Ever had that nagging feeling that someone isn’t being honest with you?

It’s frustrating when you know something’s off, but you’re not sure how to address it. Especially without things getting messy.

Here’s the good news: You don’t have to call someone out directly to get closer to the truth. In this episode, I’m breaking down 3 subtle ways to handle conversations when someone isn’t telling the whole story.

These 3 strategies will help you keep your cool, let the other person’s honesty (or lack of it) reveal itself, and avoid getting tangled up in their story.

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