Written by Scott Taylor, Combined Communications & Behaviour Expert & Risk Specialist,
Praesidium Risk & Resilience

Scott is a court and tribunal recognised expert with 31 years’ experience across the security, safety and risk industry. An industry thought leader and regular media spokesperson, he has consulted and lectured throughout the Middle East, USA and across all Australian States and Territories, working with governments, regulators and organisations spanning every industry vertical. He sits on numerous international security councils to ensure his practice reflects world best standards — and that directly translates into better outcomes for his clients.

The mind knows what it knows, and people leak their emotional state and true intent.

In the age of technology, organisations are often rushing to update lighting, CCTV cameras and other advances to help ensure a safe workplace — yet our biggest advantage is already within us: the ability to better read and understand others.

Regardless of whether it is an anti-social crime, theft or violence, people exhibit physiological changes prior to committing various acts, and these changes can be picked up. Along the same path, when people are showing deceptive behaviours, additional physiological changes are leaked.

After 32 years of security and safety experience — 15 of those focusing specifically on human behaviour — I absolutely hate reading statements that say “the violence came out of nowhere.” Because when I conduct a review, whether for a client or as part of an expert witness report, all of the telltale signs are there.

There are many indicators to be aware of, but here are some of the key ones.

Self-pacifying gestures. When a person experiences escalating stress or frustration, it causes mental discomfort or distress, and part of the body’s natural response is to soothe the mind. It achieves this through repeated self-touching — what we call self-pacifying gestures. Any time you see a person self-touching repeatedly outside of their normal baseline behaviour, it is indicative of self-pacifying. This can take the form of wringing of hands, scratching along fingers, or spinning a wedding ring. The key thing to watch for is escalation: when touching turns to scratching, or advances to rubbing the head or neck, it is a clear sign of escalated stress and discomfort.

Covering of power zone areas. We have three power zone areas — under the neck (the supra sternal notch), the belly button, and the groin. We also have a ventral triangle, with a line between the shoulders narrowing down toward the belly button, which we associate with openness and honesty. When we feel relaxed, calm and safe, we keep these areas open. When stress or discomfort escalates, we instinctively cover them. Combine that with self-pacifying gestures, and you start to understand why people under stress will repeatedly touch a necklace or chain sitting on their chest — they are simultaneously lowering their heart rate through self-touch and covering a vulnerable area.

Stance and positioning changes. When speaking with others, most people stand front-on, believing that’s how confidence and influence are projected. But as stress escalates and a person moves toward violence, they often blade their stance — turning side-on. This shift is them physically repositioning and readying themselves, and it can be an early indicator of aggression escalation. It is often accompanied by a charging-type stance, or a tightening and lowering of the lead shoulder. I regularly see these indicators when reviewing violent incidents.

Other indicators. When we are relaxed, we breathe from the diaphragm. As stress escalates, breathing moves to shorter, sharper chest breaths — another signal of potential escalation. It’s also detectable verbally: chest breathing places more pressure on the vocal cords, making a person’s tone sound more breathy or airy. This is one way I can identify shifts in behaviour even over the phone, confirming a person’s emotional state without seeing their face or body language at all.

The signs are almost always there. The question is whether we have the awareness — and the skills — to act on them.

If this resonates with you, I’ll be covering a range of these topics at my event on 1st April at Theatre Royal Sydney. Read Them Like a Book is the first event of its kind, offering deeper learning on facial micro expressions, body language, deceptive indicators and other behavioural elements. I’ll also be covering how to speak with more confidence, influence and impact — because noticing these signs is only part of it. You also need the skills and confidence to de-escalate and guide a situation toward a safer outcome.

We all want our voices to have meaning, and we could all benefit from a better understanding of others. This event is designed to help you achieve both.

From infrastructure to transport, from healthcare to hospitality, the organisations who have already bought tickets share one clear focus: enhancing their team’s awareness and helping keep people safe. Safety, after all, is the precursor to true happiness and self-actualisation — and stronger skills in this area directly support that.

Tickets available here: theatreroyalsydney.com