Sunday, September 25, 2016

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3704: Hillary Clinton, Likability and Presidential Debates - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)























Since Hillary Clinton came into the America's national consciousness, she has occupied five primary roles:

1. First Lady of the United States
2. U.S. Senator of New York
3. Presidential Candidate for 2008
4. U.S. Secretary of State
5. Presidential Candidate for 2016

Of these five positions, the one for which most Americans would say she was the most "Likable" (by far) is when she served as Secretary of State.

Although it occurs with many professions - physicians, attorneys, teachers/professors and politicians are particularly more likely to report, to varying degrees, that when they are practicing, teaching or legislating - they slip into another emotional state, with certain parts of their personalities becoming amplified - while other portions are minimized. This morphing is, in large measure, a variety of behavior similar to method acting.

Of course, some people accomplish this switch to a greater degree than others. And if they're honest, they'll also confess that they will feel and thus behave differently when they're in these respective modes (versus in their personal lives).

When Hillary Clinton was Secretary of State - she spoke differently, used different vocal tones and even walked differently. It was when she was "most comfortable in her own skin". Anyone who has followed her career would have noticed this contrast. Moreover the body language and facial expressions Secretary Clinton projected were also a good bit different from those used in her other professional roles. She was indeed more likable.

Intriguingly, months before she made her public announcement, a careful observer could tell immediately when Hillary made her own private commitment to run for president - for she "switched back" into her previous (non-Secretary of State), Senate-persona.

So if I were working with Mrs. Clinton on her nonverbal skills for her presidential debate preparation vs. Donald Trump (or for the campaign in general), one crucial piece of advice I would give her is to recreate and step back into the emotional mindset she held when she was Secretary of State.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3703: Debate Advice for Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3701: Hillary Clinton, Between Two Ferns With Zach Galifianakis


Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3699: The Tulsa Police and the Shooting Death of Terence Crutcher

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3689: Times Square Kiss on V-J Day

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3672: Jessica Alba, Swass, Body Language and Emotional Intelligence 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3624: Terrorist Attack in Nice, France

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3445: Harrison Ford Re-enacts 'I Love You' Scene from Star Wars

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3407: GOP Debate, the National Anthem and Shades of Napoleon


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