With last week's Brexit vote and its far reaching ramifications, the people of the United Kingdom elected to leave the European Union.
During his address the following day, David Cameron also announced his resignation. As with every address to his country, this Prime Minister transmitted a multitude of nonverbal tells - and one of these which very much jumps-out is discussed below.
During his speech PM Cameron alternately rested each foot on the base of lectern (which was 2.0 - 2.5 inches high).
This action shifted his weight significantly along with tilting his torso and lowering his shoulder on the opposite side.
David Cameron is a very experienced speaker - and yet this is a common rookie mistake. It's a highly significant anxiety indicator. Of course the Prime Minister is also only human. And although he "should be" allowed to be nervous - we don't expect this behavior from a head-of-state.
Depending on the other nonverbal signals with which it is clustered, resting one's foot on the base of a lectern can sometimes project aloofness - but here David Cameron is certainly not aloof. His nonverbal signals project a tentativeness.
A person with an alpha emotional tone who's projecting power, confidence and assertiveness will have both feet flat on the ground - about shoulder's width apart (and slightly less for women). Conversely a person with a beta mindset will often lift a foot (or a portion of it) - as does Cameron. Never try to close a sale (or negotiation) unless the prospective customer has both feet flat on the floor.
Of course it's not every day the leader the United Kingdom resigns.
See also:
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3602: Samantha Cameron's Beta Behavior - How Not to Stand Beside the Prime Minister
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3292: Empathy, Yawning and Dogs
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3553: Donald Trump, Deception, Facial Touching and Empathy
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3578: Megan Fox, Body Language and Dismissive Emotions
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3412: Affluenza Teen Ethan Couch is on the Run
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3386: Lady Steals from KID! Black Friday 2015
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3356: Anna Faris and Chris Pratt are Dressing their Son Up as a Dinosaur for Halloween
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3333: Did Bill Clinton ask Donald Trump to Run for President?
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