Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2368: John Kerry & Xi Jinping in Beijing to Discuss North Korea - Body Language of Anxiety & Assertiveness

As you may have heard, Kim jong-un and others in the North Korean Government are creating a bit of tension for South Korea, the United States, China and Japan. John Kerry has recently made multiple visits between Seoul, Tokyo and Beijing in an effort to show American strength & support - as well as to bring a more united front in an effort to solve the problem.

In the video above, the U.S. Secretary of State is shown adjusting his left shirt cuff (0:53 - 0:54). Such "False Cuff Adjusts" are common nonverbals which demonstrate anxiety. More specifically these are signals of an increase in assertive emotions. When you see this MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) - know that the psyche of the person displaying it is "dialing up their alpha". John Kerry is obviously an alpha male, however there are times when all alphas need to amp it up.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1698:  Susan Rice, Bashar Ja'afari &  Kofi Annan's Six Point Peace Plan for Syria

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1459: Geithner Gets His Alpha On

The false cuff adjust is predominantly a male body language display. Alpha females in traditionally male roles will exhibit it as well. A more common female analog example (also seen in gay males) is the "Hair Adjust Behind Ear" (HABE).

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1770: White House Correspondents' Dinner - Lindsay Lohan's Body Language

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 345: Dialing Up Her Alpha

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1411:  Dialing Up Her Alpha -  Dana Perino

A few seconds later, Xi Jinping, is shown with a dramatically high blinking frequency. Blink rates vary from person to person and should always be gauged against pre and post lower stress moments & contexts. The important take home point here is that a relative and substantial increase in blinking should raise your body language alarms. During the 0:55 - 0:58 segment, the President of China's blink rate is significantly high by any standards and although depending on the other nonverbals present (as well as verbal and paralanguage tells) other emotional tells may be gleaned - here it is a general indicator of anxiety.

See also:

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1149:  Who was More Nervous in Last Night's Debate?  Santorum, Romney, Gingrich or Paul?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2230:  Susan Rice's Interview Immediately after Withdrawaling from Secretary of State Consideration - her Body Language and her Sincerity Quotient

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