Sunday, June 10, 2018

Body Language Analysis No. 4302: G7 Leaders Surrounding Donald Trump - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)


No doubt you've seen it - the photo shown above of the other G7 leaders gathered around Donald Trump on Saturday (taken by Jesco Denzel, a German Government photographer). Most anyone could tell you the basic gist of the some of the emotions which were present in the room, yet it's very much worth our time to break down this moment and evaluate each component.


Shinzō Abe:

• The Japanese Prime Minister's primary emotion is Contempt (note his left mid-facial region is slightly drawn upward and lateral in a mild snarl)
• His crossed arms - left open palm (we can't visualize his right hand) - together with his contempt signals defensiveness and impatience 
   

John Bolton:

• He appears to be talking directly to Emmanuel Macron
• Although the frame of his glasses obstructs our view of his right eye - his left eyelid is elevated significantly in the presence of a relaxed forehead - which indicating fear.
• The manner in which he's holding his legal pad - in front of his groin and lower abdomen - is a form of an amplified fig leaf. This genital guarding indicates he's intimidated by the international environment in which he finds himself - his position as the National Security Advisor - and/or by Emmanuel Macron. The fact that Bolton's speaking as he displays this fig-leaf further supports this conclusion.


Emmanuel Macron:

• Our view of the French President's face is significantly limited
• Forehead is fully elevated on his right side (and very probably on his left as well) is indicative of a moment of strong disbelief and/or possibly emphasizing his accompanying or recent verbal statement
• His right hand/fingers are splayed out on the table with his right arm straightened is significantly alpha - and encroaching into Trump's personal space


Angela Merkel:

• Leaning forward at her waist
• Encroaching forward toward Trump
• Palms on the table
• Elbows straight
• This particular cluster of body language was a smart tactic. It projects power, assertiveness, and ownership. Most professionals fail to use contextual and proportional alpha body language when dealing with alpha men - but not Chancellor Merkel.


Donald Trump:

• Sitting back, away from the table
• Sitting at an approximate 45º angle to the table
• Legs are uncrossed
• Feet are flat on the floor
• Arms are crossed - but not with buried fists as is his usual configuration - his right hand appears to be gripping his left upper arm- signaling defensiveness and close-mindedness
• Mouth corner (left side) has a mild lateral vectoring - with the slightest hint of a mouth smile
• Mustache area is mildly tensed
• Nostrils are mildly-moderately flared
• Forehead is elevated - probably along its entire width, although the medial portion of the forehead is suppressed secondary to Botox treatments (note the contraction furrows above the extreme lateral portion of his forehead)
• Despite the contraction of the forehead noted above, his upper eyelids are passively drooping. Along with his mid-facial tension - and a trace of a (suppressed) smile - this cluster-combination signals both arrogance and contempt.

If you ever find yourself in a similar position as Donald Trump is here, you'd be well-advised to slowly stand up and walk around the table. Such a maneuver would increase his confidence and remove physical advantages that both Emmanuel Macron - and particularly Angela Merkel have over him in this scenario.

SUMMARY: It's no secret that Donald Trump enjoys being the center of attention. Yet some emotional dissonance is on full display in this photo. For in his smug moment, the outnumbered American President is also feeling significantly defensive. This example of passive-aggressive behavior is foretelling of his decision to withdraw his support for any U.S. endorsement of the G7 joint communique - one which he had only just agreed to a few hours earlier (shortly after this photo was taken).


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See also:

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

Body Language Analysis No. 4299: Bill Clinton confronted regarding Monica Lewinsky Affair

Body Language Analysis No. 4297: Donald Trump's Fearful Forefinger

Body Language Analysis No. 4295: Elizabeth Holmes, Theranos, and Red Flags

Body Language Analysis No. 4249: Will Smith, Sophia the Robot, Robot-Empathy, and Responding in Context

Body Language Analysis No. 4230: Kim Jong-un, Donald Trump, and the Home Field Advantage

Body Language Analysis No. 4205: Chloe Kim, Albert Einstein, and Creativity

Body Language Analysis No. 4149: Zendaya, Zac Efron, and "The Greatest Showman"

Body Language Analysis No. 4093: Fear and Harvey Weinstein - Emma Watson's Reaction


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