Saturday, June 9, 2018

Body Language Analysis No. 4301: Donald Trump and the G7 Summit "Family Photo" - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence


This is the traditional group photo (also sometimes referred to as "The Family Photo") taken on Friday at the G7 Summit in La Malbaie, Quebec, Canada. From left to right are European Council President Donald Tusk, British Prime Minister Theresa May, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, U.S. President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, French President Emmanuel Macron, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.

The width of a man's stance (the width his feet are apart) in relation to his height is a good indicator of his relative confidence in that moment. This nonverbal sign is not, however, a reliable nonverbal indicator of a woman's confidence level.

Justin Trudeau is the tallest person in the 2018 G8 group photo at 6'2" (1.880 meters). Because he's also the host country's leader, Trudeau is standing in the center of nine people. The shortest male in the photo is Giuseppe Conte at 5'7" (1.702 meters) - while Angela Merkel is the shortest overall at 5'5" (1.651 meters). Donald Trump's height is 6'0.5" (1.842 meters).

President Trump is standing with his feet closer together than any of the other six men - with the possible exception of Giuseppe Conte. Relative to the leaders' heights, however, the American president's feet are the closest together of any of the men - betraying his relatively low confidence (again, this is not a reliable indicator with women). In contrast, Prime Minister Trudeau's foot-plant-to-height ratio is the greatest of the group - projecting his alpha, high-confidence mindset.

Millennia ago, military generals realized that by requiring their enlisted men to stand "at attention" - with their feet close together - they were much more likely to take orders and subordinate themselves. They intuitively knew that certain body postures engendered strength and initiative - while others made their soldiers feel acquiescent and beta.

Now, look also at the direction of each leaders' feet. Trump is the only person in this photo whose feet are not pointed entirely straight ahead - with his left foot splaying outward. This betrays his break of solidarity with - and low level of commitment to the other G7 leaders.

Observe the five men, who at the time of this image, are waving with their hands' up. Trump's hand is lower than the others - below his shoulder - while Trudeau's, Macron's, Abe's, and Conte's hands are all considerably higher - above their shoulders' to their head level. In this context, the relative height of their hands' is also a good indicator of their relative confidence and emotional comfort levels.

SUMMARY: Given that the Trump-led United States is on the brink of a trade war with Canada, Mexico, and the EU - the U.S. President's breaking with the Paris Climate Accord last year - and, only a few hours earlier, Trump calling for Russia to be reinstated in the G7 (thereby remaking the G8) - and the significant push-back he's receiving on these issues from the other G7 leaders - it's not surprising, that despite some of his outward/surface behavior - the American President lacks significant confidence and is emotionally uncomfortable around these other World leaders


Group Appearances and One-on-One
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See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4300: Donald Trump, Mike Pence, and Water Bottles

Body Language Analysis No. 4298: LeBron James Walks Out of Post Game Press Conference after Game One Loss

Body Language Analysis No. 4296: Sarah Huckabee Sanders Chokes Up

Body Language Analysis No. 4294: LeBron James, Adrenaline Surges, and Emotional Intelligence

Body Language Analysis No. 4279: Rudy Giuliani regarding President Trump's alleged Sexual Relationship with Stormy Daniels

Body Language Analysis No. 4251: Cristiano Ronaldo's Bicycle Kick vs. Juventus F.C. 

Body Language Analysis No. 4219: Ivanka Trump's Reaction to Question regarding Donald Trump's Sexual Assault Accusers 

Body Language Analysis No. 4152: Ruby Rose and her Mother's (Overgrown) Pig

Body Language Analysis No. 4106: Jordan's Queen Rania meets with Rohingya Refugee Children


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