In the world of business, communication is more than just words. It’s about understanding what’s really being said – beyond the polished speeches, carefully crafted emails and rehearsed presentations. One of the most powerful tools for uncovering true emotions is the ability to read microexpressions – fleeting, involuntary facial expressions that reveal genuine feelings, even when someone is trying to hide them.

Mastering microexpressions can elevate your emotional intelligence, sharpen your negotiation skills and enhance your ability to connect with others. Here’s how you can decode this hidden language and develop more effective communication skills.

What Are Microexpressions?

Microexpressions are brief facial expressions – lasting only a fraction of a second – that involuntarily reveal a person’s true emotions. Unlike controlled body language or spoken words, they are nearly impossible to fake. Psychologist Paul Ekman identified seven universal microexpressions that appear across all cultures:

  1. Happiness  – A genuine smile, with crow’s feet around the eyes.
  2. Sadness  – Drooping eyelids, downturned lips, and a furrowed brow.
  3. Anger – Tensed eyebrows, narrowed eyes, and pressed lips.
  4. Fear  – Raised eyebrows, widened eyes, and a slightly open mouth.
  5. Disgust  – A wrinkled nose, raised upper lip, and narrowed eyes.
  6. Surprise  – Raised eyebrows, widened eyes, and an open mouth.
  7. Contempt  – A slight smirk or one side of the mouth raised.

Why Are Microexpressions Important in Business?

  1. Enhancing Emotional Intelligence

Understanding microexpressions allows you to pick up on emotions that may not be verbally expressed. This makes you more attuned to the feelings of colleagues, clients and stakeholders, helping you respond more empathetically and appropriately.

  1. Improving Negotiation & Sales

A potential client may verbally express interest in your product, but their microexpressions might show hesitation or skepticism. By recognising these subtle cues, you can address concerns before they become deal-breakers.

  1. Detecting Deception & Hidden Emotions

Since microexpressions are involuntary, they can reveal when someone is withholding information or masking their true feelings. This skill is particularly useful in interviews, contract discussions and conflict resolution.

  1. Building Stronger Connections

People appreciate when they feel understood. By recognising their genuine emotions, you can adjust your approach to foster stronger relationships and trust.

  1. Boosting Leadership Presence

Great leaders are not only effective communicators, they are emotionally perceptive. Reading microexpressions helps leaders gauge team morale, detect unspoken concerns and create an open, supportive workplace.

How to Recognise Microexpressions in Real Time

Microexpressions happen quickly, so spotting them requires practice. Here are some steps to improve your ability:

  • Observe Faces Closely – Pay attention to slight, fleeting changes in facial expressions, especially in high-stakes conversations.
  • Look for Inconsistencies – Does the person’s verbal message match their facial expressions? A mismatch could indicate hidden emotions.
  • Focus on the First Reaction – A microexpression often appears before someone adjusts their facial expression to mask their true feelings.
  • Train Your Eye – Practice recognising microexpressions using training tools, videos or live interactions. We cover microexpressions in some of our masterclasses.
  • Stay Neutral – Don’t immediately react when you notice a microexpression. Instead, guide the conversation to confirm your observation.

Using Microexpressions to Improve Your Own Communication Skills

Just as you can read others, others can read you. To ensure your communication aligns with your intentions:

  • Be Aware of Your Own Expressions – If your face unintentionally reveals frustration or skepticism, it could affect the conversation negatively.
  • Practice Emotional Control – Learning to regulate emotions can help prevent microexpressions from unintentionally revealing more than you intend.
  • Use Microexpressions to Your Advantage – If you want to show sincerity, allow genuine emotions like happiness or empathy to naturally surface.

Final Thoughts: The Power of the Unspoken

In business, the ability to read and respond to unspoken emotions can be a game-changer. Whether negotiating a deal, leading a team or resolving conflicts, understanding microexpressions gives you an edge in communication. By honing this skill, you can become a more perceptive, empathetic and effective communicator—one who truly understands what people are feeling, even when they don’t say it aloud.

If you’d like to learn more about microexpressions and our communication skills training visit our website or get in contact here.

By Simon Coleman, actor and cofounder of 1948