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LESSON 4 · Detect Deception

Strategic Silence

After someone finishes answering, do not rush in immediately. Let a short silence sit for three to five seconds. Some people will add detail they had not planned to share. Use the pause to invite more information, not to intimidate.

Sometimes it helps to normalize the behavior: "A lot of people in your situation would have done the same thing." This tells someone they are not uniquely bad, which can make honesty feel less costly.