We're human. We lie. We pull out lies when we're in big trouble, or when we're covering something up, or even to spare someone's feelings. It's human nature.

It's a plain and simple fact that we all lie and are lied to. The good news is, we can detect when it's happening to us by deconstructing human nature thereby allowing us to slip into the shoes of our client or prospect.

As persuaders, we need to learn to detect the truth in order to open doors which may have previously been closed. You may find, unfortunately, that you regret the door has been opened.

One of the reasons I will not allow prosecuting attorneys or law enforcement officials of any kind into my trainings is revealed in this article.

If you think about it, knowing that a person is telling you the truth is very reassuring. Trust is an amazing thing. But think further. . . it's scary to know exactly how often we are lied to.

This information, in the hands of someone who really, truly knows how to use it (like as in, who is the person with more integrity out of several job candidates, or for detecting trouble in your family), is incredibly powerful.

Expert interrogators use these types of tactics to determine whether a suspect is telling the truth or not. You can see examples of it on television all the time-Law & Order, NYPD Blue-and in literature from Sherlock Holmes to John Grisham.

Even if a person has no persuasion abilities whatsoever, these skills will make for a formidable opponent.

This is incredibly powerful information which can (and will) be used to manipulate. I am only willing to give a glimpse into these skills in this article and only go in depth in my seminars and classes.

Here's one exercise you can use to determine whether or not a person is lying. . .

Step one: Sit across from a partner to practice.

Step two: Ask your partner three questions which you happen to know the answer to is 'yes'. And then ask three questions which you know their answers will be 'no'.

Step three: Now ask questions you don't know the answers to, but instruct your partner not to to but not to give you the answers.

Because you asked them not to answer, you'll need to pay attention to their nonverbal responses. After you've done a few and noted their responses and determined their answers, ask them to confirm or deny.

Step four: Switch roles. Let them have a turn.

This can easily be used with prospects and clients. You can practice when they use the old standby, 'I can't afford it right now'. Are they being truthful?

Could you push past their resistance if you absolutely knew they could afford your product or service?

Kenrick Cleveland teaches techniques to sell to affluent clients using persuasion strategies. He runs unique public and private seminars and offers home study courses, audio/visual learning tools, and coaching programs in persuasion techniques. Find more free articles at www.MAXpersuasion.com/blog. Be sure to sign up for his free report entitled "Yes! Persuasion."