When it comes to people, Don't Listen to What They Say, Look at What They Do, Watch their Behaviour!

People don't want to look bad in front of others.

People want to "appear" that they are doing better than they really are, they want to "appear" smarter than what they are, etc. However, how do you know they are truthful?

People will lie to you. They will tell you what they think you want to hear. People will make the right "noise", but always remember this... "Empty Vessels Make the Loudest Noise"!

In other words, those that have the least, often want to prove themselves the most, and to do so, they will talk more and "show" more.

However, if you look closely over time, you will find these same people actually amount to very little and their actions/behaviour, do not back their words.

People can lie using words, but their actions/behaviour will speak volumes of truth.

Politicians are a classic example. Words will be spoken, promises made, but when it comes to backing their words, many fall short. Talk is cheap!

People's behaviour, will tell you more about them, than any words they say

Remember a Royal couple that left England and moved to North America in the early 2020's, because they "did not want to be in the public eye all the time", they wanted their "privacy", they wanted the media to "leave them alone"..... remember them????!!!

This Royal couple have done the exact opposite, by putting themselves in front of the media at every opportunity. Their lives are anything but private, and that is by design. They do not want privacy at all. Look at their actions and NOT their empty words. Their actions tell us their true intentions.

People's behaviour, will tell you more about them, than any words they say

The same will happen with people you meet, friends, relatives, business acquaintances etc will all make a lot of "noise". Only YOU can decide whether their words are true, simply by looking at their actions and behaviour over time.

During the recent 2021 Sydney COVID lockdown, there has been annimosity between state borders - especially between NSW, Queensland and Victoria. many people have been screwed over by having to cancel holidays and travel plans on numerous occassions.

One of our friends recently asked all their friends (including us) to boycott travel to Queensland because they have a habit of just shutting their borders with little notice or regard for the Australian public. We understood their grievances, however we did not agree with their request, though they were quite adamant that they will never holiday in Queensland again..... They are booked on a Queensland holiday in 2 months time !!! Hopefully the borders reopen and stay open for them..... Again, people's words are often NOT backed by their actions.

Do NOT listen to what people say, instead, look at what they DO!

Few people's actions will match their words.

If you find someone whose words match their actions, then you have found an individual with integrity. Now, I'm not saying that everyone else does not have integrity, what I am saying is that integrity comes in various degrees. You need to determine if the intergity of those around you is acceptable to YOU !

Now, in the case above regarding our friends wanting to "boycott" Queensland, this was not enough to have us drop them as friends, but it was a reminder to my wife and I to NOT listen to what people say, and just look at their actions.

In business, if a person's words were not backed by their actions, I would choose to have nothing to do with them - no matter what the upside profit may have been.

A person can lie to your face and be believeable. They can say things completely opposite to what they think of believe - it is called deceit.

However, a person cannot act or behave in opposition to what they think or believe. People's body language is "true" to their intentions and beliefs.

So if you want to know if someone is lying to you, be sure to study " body language" - there is plenty of material on the subject!

I have always done what I have said.

I have always backed my words with actions.

People that know me also know that my word is my bond.

I have always been consistent in this when raising my kids. I NEVER made a threat that I was not willing to carry out. My children knew this, and when I told them anything, they knew that it was real and would happen.

In business, I was no different. If I made a promise to a customer or supplier, they could have absolute faith in my words and know it would happen. This served me well over the years because it built a reputation of integrity for me and my business. I had a track record, and people knew that I kept my word. However, in doing so, people came to understand that I expected the same from them also.....!!!

Again, one final reminder of the lesson today.....

Do NOT listen to what people say, instead, look at what they DO!

Reading:

"The Definitive Book on Body Language" by Allan & Barbara Pease