Today, during a press conference in the Rose Garden with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, Barack Obama took a jab at Donald Trump. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of the above video clip from that event.
At the very end of this video (beginning at 2:26), President Obama says, "And so - ah, I'd invite Mister Trump to stop whining and go try and make his case to get votes ...."
As he says, "Mister", President Obama displays a microexpression of contempt on the left side of his face (his left), which is relatively subtle.
A split second later as he says, "Stop", the President makes a more pronounced contempt display - this time on his right (again, a microexpression).
Both of these examples are not able to be fully appreciated via still images, therefore watching the video at 1/2 or 1/4 speed is highly recommended.
Notice that President Obama is leaning on his lectern with his right arm/elbow. This should never be done, particularly at the presidential level - unless of course one wishes to convey a lower energy, low assertiveness and casual sloppiness. This body configuration does not convey strength and is inconsistent with an alpha personality. Moreover, this body language is made even worse because the President is, to a degree, turning his back on Prime Minister Renzi.
Although there are exceptions to the rule, the vast majority of time, when speaking in any capacity at a lectern, podium, on stage, television, etc. the hands should be free of a pen (or pencil). One reason for this is the speaker may point with the sharp end of the pen - performing a surrogate of an index finger point. And while this while this doesn't have the full impact of pointing with that finger, it certainly is negatively received and should be strongly avoided.
Another common error while holding a pen is "clicking" it - or as President Obama did (during 0:23 - 0:26) uncapping and recapping it. This is a very distracting and a common rookie mistake - and yet here is one of the more accomplished speakers in the World making this error.
Of course, tomorrow night during the third and final of the 2016 Presidential Debates, both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump will probably occasionally be taking notes. In such a context it can serve to give the appearance of critical thinking (which of course is often also true) and can sometimes unnerve one's opponent.
There are also individuals (usually relative beginners) who feel uncomfortable speaking and will often admit, "I don't know what to do with my hands". Intriguingly, if one holds a pen (recommended to be small and capped with each end blunt) it often relaxes the hand, the whole arm - and even the shoulders as well as the opposite hand and arm. This trick is not recommended for everyone and must be approached with caution - as it's extremely easy to begin fiddling with the pen - thus backfiring the entire technique.
See also:
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3727: Donald Trump and Children
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3725: Donald Trump Challenges Hillary Clinton to a Drug Test before Debate
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3723: The 2nd Presidential Debate - Donald Trump v. Hillary Clinton - Body Language, Emotional Intelligence and Deception
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3721: The 2nd Presidential Debate - Donald Trump v. Hillary Clinton - The Handshake That Wasn't
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3702: Hillary Clinton: "Why aren't I 50 points ahead (of Trump)?''
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3681: Hillary Clinton's Low Transparency
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3664: Benjamin Netanyahu, Viktor Yanukovych and Vladimir Putin
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3609: Emma Watson, Tina Turner, Ring Tones and Body Language
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