Expert explains technique: How to understand people's true emotions

Greene points out that in social situations, whether it's a job interview, a first date, or casual conversation, what people say doesn't always reflect their true feelings. To capture the true feelings hidden behind a polite smile or carefully chosen words, he says, it's important to approach the person from a sideways angle. This allows you to see the raw emotional response before they even compose themselves.

As Dr. Ekman has demonstrated, microexpressions are universal, regardless of culture, age, or background. This allows those with keen observation to read people's true feelings. This technique also works in everyday life. For example, in a business meeting, it can help you understand the true emotion behind what a colleague is saying. Similarly, in personal relationships, it can help you detect emotional sparks in your partner before they even verbalize them.

However, Greene also cautions that correctly interpreting microexpressions requires patience, attention, and practice, and that misreading them can lead to misleading results. It's important to remain calm and nonjudgmental while observing.

Ultimately, Greene says, people reveal much more than words in a few seconds. The key is to pick up on that small, natural expression behind the emotional masks and understand the other person's true feelings.