Jakarta, ThedailyID — People communicate even when they say nothing. Their posture, facial expressions and movements can offer clues about how they feel.
Former FBI special agent Joe Navarro spent 25 years working for the agency. He later became known for his expertise in body language and nonverbal communication.
In a WIRED video titled Former FBI Agent Explains How to Read Body Language, Navarro explains how people can better understand nonverbal cues.
However, he warns against assigning a single meaning to every gesture.
Crossing your arms, for example, does not always mean someone feels defensive. Navarro explains that people may also use the gesture to comfort themselves.
The same applies to eye movements. Looking in a certain direction does not automatically mean someone is lying.
Navarro also challenges other popular body language myths. Touching your nose, covering your mouth or clearing your throat does not necessarily indicate deception.
Instead, he recommends looking for changes in behavior.
A person may suddenly change their posture, move their hands differently or pull their feet away. These changes can signal a reaction to something around them.
But context remains important. One gesture rarely tells the whole story.
“When we study nonverbals it’s not about making judgements, it’s about assessing what is this person transmitting in that moment?” Navarro says in the WIRED video, Wednesday (26/08).
He also uses poker to explain why controlling body language can prove difficult.
“You can have a poker face but you can’t have a poker body. Somewhere it’s gonna be revealed.” he said.
For Navarro, reading body language is not about becoming a human lie detector. It is about noticing how people react to their surroundings.
He argues that people constantly communicate through their behavior, even without speaking.
“We’re all transmitting at all times.” he added.
The key, therefore, is not to focus on one movement. Instead, pay attention to patterns, changes and the situation surrounding them.
