How to Spot a Traitor

Someone in your midst is revealing your plans to your foes. Traitors operate in every social situation, from junior high cliques to Wall Street board rooms to the front lines of battle. Spotting a traitor can be difficult and require some stealthy moves of your own. Whether it's the obvious candidate or the person you least suspect, here's how to identify your traitor.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Closely observe the people around you. Pay attention to anyone acting differently than normal. Watch if anyone ingratiated himself into a new social circle and how he is being received. By paying close attention, catch a traitor's behavior as it changes drastically.
2. Ask people you know you can trust if they suspect anyone. Bring it up casually in conversation. Make a mental note of who is suggested by others. Seek out confirmation of your suspicion.
3. Eavesdrop on conversations. Hide in the bathroom to hear what people say. Make notes of incriminating things you hear and go over them later. Observe who's forging close ties with one another.
4. Plant rumors with people you suspect. Make the rumor something distinct that you only tell one person. Rumor repeated? That's the traitor; it's the one you told and know can't be trusted. The person may not ultimately be the traitor, it narrows down who you should watch.

Tips & Warnings

• Use discretion make sure you can't be overheard trying to spot a traitor.