12 Habits Of People Who Can Tell What Others Are Thinking Just By Looking At Them

These things allow people to “read” the minds of others.

A group of business professionals are engaged in a conversation. The woman in the center is smiling, and a man is holding a cup. They are wearing name tags, and the setting appears to be a networking event or conference.

Some people seem to have a natural ability to “just know” what others are thinking by looking at them. Although this ability might seem quite magical, there’s a knack to it that can be developed through practice. Here are the habits these people possess (that you can work on too):

1. They pay close attention to body language.

Three people are sitting and conversing at a table in a cozy café. A man with glasses and a beard on the left is smiling at a woman with short dark hair in the center, who is also smiling. Another person is partially visible on the right, also engaged in the conversation.

They’ll watch someone’s feet to observe what direction that person will take, or can “read” their actions to determine what they’re thinking. For example, a person whose gaze is darting around may have lost something, while someone who’s biting their lip or cleaning their nails may be anxious about something that’s unfolding.

2. They listen much, and speak little.

Three people engaged in conversation, seated indoors. One person with brown hair and a gray blazer is smiling and looking attentively at the person speaking, who is partially visible. The other person has blonde hair and is also smiling. All appear to be in a professional setting.

One can’t observe much when they’re chattering away like a gibbon. Instead, those who can read others easily choose to listen to everything going on around them, and speak sparingly. This way, they can take in more than they offer, and process information without distraction.

3. They observe small details about others’ behavior and choices.

Three women wearing denim jackets are conversing on a street in an urban area. One woman with long, wavy hair is pointing to her cheek while speaking. Trees and buildings are visible in the background, creating a lively city atmosphere.

Like Sherlock, they’ll hone in on minutiae about someone’s clothing choices, accent, and so on to glean a greater picture of what that person is about. Quite often, the tiny details that most people aren’t even aware of can offer immense insight into their inclinations and intentions.

4. They’re highly attuned to subtle changes in atmosphere.

A man in a blue shirt and glasses is pointing and talking to another man with glasses in an office setting. In the background, three people are working at computers near a bookshelf filled with various items. The setting has a modern, open-plan design.

This is also known as being aware of “the vibe” in certain circles. Essentially, they can sense things like energy in the atmosphere around a person, as well as hyper-awareness of subtle facial changes that signal what a person is feeling, or what they’re about to do next.

5. They often spend a lot of time with animals.

A man in a yellow shirt and blue plaid jacket is gently touching the muzzle of a brown horse over a wooden fence in a sunlit outdoor enclosure. The horse leans toward him, and the scene is calm and friendly.

Since animals don’t communicate verbally like humans, their owners are used to spotting unspoken clues and “reading the room”. As a result, once a person has learned how to read animal behavior, the actions displayed by humans are usually much more straightforward to decipher, as they can be formulaic in their patterns.

6. They don’t surround themselves with a lot of distraction.

A man with a beard sits on a wooden table, holding glasses in his hands. He looks to the side in a minimalist room featuring white shelves with books and plants, and a vintage-style hanging light bulb nearby.

These are people who tend to treasure minimalism, calmness, and clarity, and thus are often in clean, simple surroundings without many glaring screens or types of audio-sensory overwhelm. They’re comfortable in silence, and only partake in entertainment in small doses, rather than as intentional distraction or escapism.

7. They have developed the ability to focus well, even in chaotic circumstances.

Four people are sitting around a table in an office setting, engaged in a discussion. They have coffee cups, documents, and colorful sticky notes on the table. One person is holding a tablet, and they appear focused and collaborative.

They develop focus through meditation, plenty of sleep, good nutrition, and are often very well studied in at least one topic. They’ve sharpened their minds into well-honed tools, and are able to maintain focus in even the most trying of circumstances.

8. They prefer sober thought over the escapism of intoxicants.

Three women are sitting on a gray couch. Two of them, wearing blue jeans and light-colored tops, are looking at a laptop screen and sharing a laugh while holding drinks. The third woman, in white pants and a blue shirt, holds a drink and looks towards them, smiling.

It’s a lot easier to be intuitive and observant of others’ behaviors if your mind is clear. Those who can read others easily tend to be very tempered in their use of intoxicants. They’ll either remain sober so as to have full control over their faculties, or indulge very sparingly.

9. They develop the ability to recognize patterns.

Four young adults are outdoors near a body of water. One person in the foreground is wearing a red jacket and beanie, gesturing as they talk to the other three, who are standing and sitting, listening intently. Their clothing suggests a casual, cool weather setting.

They learn very well from their observations of human habits and behavior, and therefore can recognize patterns when they encounter them. If they have experience with people behaving a certain way, they’ll be able to anticipate their next actions.

10. They cultivate strong memory recall skills.

A man and a woman are sitting in a cozy cafe, each holding a cup of coffee. The man, dressed in a light shirt and dark pants, is smiling and making eye contact with the woman, who is slightly out of focus in the foreground. The cafe has a warm, inviting atmosphere.

The ability to recognize body language and determine intention requires practice and exercise, just like any other skill. As such, those who can read others’ minds tend to exercise their muscle memory by doing things like playing memory games, learning and practicing new languages or skills, solving puzzles, and so on.

11. They learn how to recognize microexpressions.

Three individuals sit on a bench outdoors, engaged in a conversation. The person on the left wears a white shirt and holds sunglasses, the person in the middle gestures while speaking, and the person on the right listens attentively. Trees and a walkway are in the background.

Sometimes, the tiniest twitch on a person’s face can say more about what they’re thinking or feeling than grandiose gestures. Those who seem to be able to tell what others are thinking at a glance make a point of studying these microexpressions so they can recognize them easily.

12. They familiarize themselves with cultural differences.

Three women are sitting outdoors, smiling and enjoying each other's company. They are in a relaxed, natural setting with tree foliage in the background, creating a bright and cheerful atmosphere. Each woman displays a warm, joyful expression.

Gestures, facial expressions, and intonations can differ greatly between cultures: what’s considered a friendly and welcoming gesture in one country can be immensely insulting in another. As such, those who can read others easily often put significant effort into learning how to recognize behaviors from different cultural groups.