Sunday, July 15, 2018

Body Language Analysis No. 4322: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTO)


To date, this is one of the most widely shared images of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. It was taken during the APEC Summit in Danang, Vietnam on 11 November 2017.

From a nonverbal perspective, it's particularly telling. Vladimir Putin's expression is that of a partial, yet sincere smile with the necessary components of:

• Partially closed eyelids
• Concave-up furrows in each lower eyelid
• Partial mouth smile
• A relaxed forehead (while he does have age-related, passive "wrinkles", Putin's forehead muscles are not actively contracting)

President Putin's smile is not fully developed - and crucially, he's trying to suppress it. And as often occurs when one is suppressing a smile - blushing ensues.

Blushing cannot be consciously controlled.

Of course, blushing is NOT a requirement in order for a smile to be considered sincere - and all blushing does not coexist with a smile. However, if a person is blushing whilst smiling, their smile is virtually ALWAYS sincere.

It's profoundly important to keep in mind that you may not share the other person's motives for their smile or welcome their actions. What brings them joy-happiness won't necessarily do the same for you.

In this context, Mr. Putin's blushing likely is indicative of:

• Deception
• Clandestine motives/plans
• Difficulty containing his excitement 

Much less likely causes include:

• Embarrassment
• Nervousness/Anxiety

Summary: The phenomenon of blushing is involuntary and uncontrollable, even by former KGB officers. Blushing is a signal that control has temporarily been lost. The person is letting a thought-emotion slip through - one which they would much rather conceal. Blushing during a smile always conveys the sincerity of the smile - but be warned, for it does not speak to the purity/ethics of their motives. This phenomenon is often significant for an incongruity versus their simultaneous spoken words. It's a literal and metaphorical red flag. During such disparities between nonverbal and verbal messages - it's the nonverbal language which is telling the truth.


Group Appearances and One-on-One
Online Courses Available 


See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4321: Donald Trump and The Queen

Body Language Analysis No. 3949 (Re-posting): Donald Trump Shoves Montenegro's PM Dusko Markovic at NATO Summit

Body Language Analysis No. 4318: Jim Jordan regarding Allegations of Ignoring Knowledge of Sexual Abuse at Ohio State

Body Language Analysis No. 4316: Sarah Paulson, The Met Gala, and Madonna

Body Language Analysis No. 4309: The Little Girl in Red, "Tender Age" shelters, and Empathy

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

Body Language Analysis No. 4224: Greta Gerwig's reaction to Guillermo del Toro's Best Picture Oscar Speech 

Body Language Analysis No. 4196: Trey Gowdy on "Face The Nation"

Body Language Analysis No. 3995: Vladimir Putin, Emmanuel Macron, and the G20 Group Photo


____________________________