Reading the Speed of Response

Rapid Reaction: Unprocessed Reactive Response

The speed with which a person responds after you have spoken can be a very telling nonverbal signal, especially in debates, negotiations, or difficult conversations.

An immediate response, without any pause, often indicates that the person has not spent time processing or reflecting on what you just said.

Rather than being a considered response, it is more of an automatic reaction, possibly based on a pre-established position or superficial listening.

This speed may signal that they are not really committed to understanding your perspective.

Pauses: Reflection, processing or preparation.

Conversely, if a person pauses before responding, even if only for a second, it suggests that they have taken a moment to think about your words.

This pause indicates mental processing, reflection, or at least preparation for a more considered response rather than a simple reaction.

Observing whether or not this pause exists gives you crucial insight into whether or not your interlocutor is really listening and considering your point of view, or if they are simply waiting for their turn to speak or rebut.

Strategy: Re-phrase to force processing.

If you notice that the other person consistently responds immediately without reflection, and this is leading the conversation into an unproductive cycle of clashing viewpoints, you can employ a strategy to encourage processing.

Instead of repeating your argument exactly the same (which will likely elicit the same quick reaction), rephrase your point using different words or a slightly different approach.

This forces the other person's brain to stop and process the new formulation, giving you a chance for them to really consider what you're saying and potent