Bridgegate and other missteps aside, Chris Christie will never win the 2016 republican nomination, let alone the White House. While many admire his "straight talk" approach - others will sight his outbursts and temper. He has another huge interpersonal hurdle though which he has yet to clear. As with the vast majority of politicians, Christie is unaware of just how much he is lacking when it comes to emotionally connecting with the electorate. And he seems to be in a downhill slide ....
Regardless of party or political office, of course a politician will continually run up against many opposing points of view and Governor Christie surly has his share. However even when Mr. Christie is on his best behavior and his words are fairly diplomatic, his body language screams the opposite - and the audience feels it. Only those who already staunchly support a candidate will stand behind him with such dramatic disparities - for they are already blind and thus truly believe the emperor is wearing clothes. Such tone-deaf leaders will never capture the crucial middle third of the voters.
In the single moment this image was captured (and very typical of the New Jersey Governor), Chris Christie's body language projects three negative emotions:
A. Disbelief
B. Contempt
C. Disengagement
He's destroying rapport - not building it. He might as well be saying, "I can't stand you, I don't believe a word you're saying and you don't know what the *#@! you're talking about! I've already made up my mind and I'm barely tolerating being here."
Mr. Christie still has yet to learn that he can still stick be sincere and win over some of his audience at the same time.
Do you know the specific nonverbal signals in this photo indicating each of these thought-emotions? How adept are you at recognizing these signs in others? How self-aware are you in projecting them?
People don't vote with logic. They vote with their emotions. If a candidate isn't likeable - particularly during moments of disagreement, he or she will only win if the opposition is weak - and remember, this is a Presidential election. So unless Mr. Christie significantly improves his rapport building skills - nonverbal and otherwise - history will record his high water mark will be on the Jersey Shore and not the Potomac.
See also:
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3108: Kim Jong-un Haircut & mirroring his Deceased Dad - Kim Jong-il
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2597: Chris Christie's Body Language Tell Regarding Obamacare
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2612: Chris Christie 'Calls a Spade a Spade' (Well … Almost) - Body Language of the 2016 Republican Presidential Hopeful
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2999: Chris Christie to James Keady "Sit Down and Shut Up" - Body Language Congruent with ....
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2137: Mitt Romney vs. Barack Obama - First Presidential Debate - Barack's Bad Body Language
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2164: Mitt Romney's Disgust Display regarding President Obama's Relationship with Putin and Russia - ".... I'll give you more flexibility after the election ...."
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2948: Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp's father - Same Body Language Simultaneously
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