Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3777: Donald Trump, Ben Carson - and Mike Pence's Poor Poker Face - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Most politicians believe they have good poker faces, yet few do - and VP Elect Mike Pence's is particularly poor. This short video segment from earlier today contains many tells - two of which are highlighted here.

Beginning at 0:03, the future Vice President says, "Ah, we're excited ta, we're excited to have Dr. Carson - ah, as our ah, intended nominee - of,  for ah, Housing and Urban Development. We're looking forward to another very productive week - in the transition and setting a historic pace and, ah - ah, I'll be spending some time in New York this week - and be spending some time in, ah, here in the Trump Tower ..."

Note during  0:11 - 0:12, Governor Pence lifts his briefcase with his middle, ring and little finger of his left hand - while his thumb and forefinger (index finger) adjusts his jacket in a pseudo-buttoning maneuver as he says, "... We're looking forward to another ...".

This false buttoning/jacket adjustment is a strong signal of anxiety - yet we can slice this nonverbal MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) even thinner. The movement (which, of course, was never a legit attempt to button his jacket) of both his arm and brief case momentarily covering his torso, is a classic blocking maneuver. Pence feels emotionally uncomfortable with respect to the cabinet choices and/or cabinet position selection process - signaling a strong contrast with his own words. Anytime there is disparity between verbal and the nonverbal messages - it's the nonverbal signals which always tell true feelings.

A second later, as he says, ".... very .... ", Mike Pence's eyebrows and forehead elevate while his eyelids simultaneously close in an extended blink. This is an unnatural movement - as these closely juxtaposed tissues are pulling in opposite directions. Such an eyelid/eyebrow incongruity in is a strong signal of insincerity.

Summary: Vice President Elect Mike Pence feels significant anxiety with the cabinet member selection process and/or some of the specific people picked.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3776: VP Elect Mike Pence Defends Trump's Claim of Voter Fraud 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3774: Luke Bryan Hits/Slaps a Fan For Flipping Him Off

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3772: Mitt Romney Meets with Donald Trump

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3760: Rory McIlroy's "Little Interviews"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3712: Lloyd Bentsen to Dan Quayle - "You're No Jack Kennedy"

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3669: Jordan Spieth, Bill Murray and the Asymmetrical Smile

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3573: Angela Merkel, the G7, Destroying Rapport and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3525: Kristen Bell Slaps a Reporter On "The Boss" Red Carpet

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3152: Hillary Clinton First Campaign Ad - "Getting Started" (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

To no one's surprise, Hillary Clinton launched her candidacy for President today. Between Mrs. Clinton's official campaign and outside super-PACs, estimates of $2.5 Billion in donations are realistic. Yet despite this very substantial funding, Hillary's very first ad included some stunningly novice nonverbal faux pas.
 

This image is the very first frame from the very first scene featuring Mrs. Clinton (at 1:31).

Why on Earth is her back to the camera? This is about as basic as body language gets - turning your back to anyone projects disrespect, non-importance, destroys rapport and loses votes.

In this second Hillary-scene within the same ad, Mrs. Clinton is in a conversation with a gentleman in a restaurant or public gathering. Notice her torso - as well as her hips and feet although they're not visible, we clearly can see they're all pointed substantially away from him. This sends strong signals of low importance, disrespect and low mental-emotional engagement. It's essentially saying, "I'm here in body, but not in mind" and "I'm only here because I have to be here." (A Marshawn Lynch impersonation?).

A common over compensatory side-effect of such feigned and insincere presence is staring. Note that Hillary's eyes are locked on his - which does not "feel" natural (even to a child). Eye contact within the context of a healthy conversation has a random-movement pattern to it - and should for about 60-70% of the time, be centered around the other person's eyes, but not staring at them (Exceptions for this include romantic moments, other times of high affection - or during portions of an apology - of which none apply here). Moreover Hillary's upper eyelids are opened significantly wider than her normal baseline. This adds to the staring effect and projects a feeling of anger (What's another possible cause to her very-widely opened eyelids?).

Hillary's arm and shoulder are also blocking any sincere conversational-connection (which any good ad person should be attempting to engender within the context of a political advertisement). So although we're NOT this guy - we are feeling a vicarious rejection via Hillary's cold shoulder. Ouch.

Any candidate for high office will not win unless a majority of the electorate feels they are "likeable" - and a huge portion of such likeability has its foundation in body language. This is not to say leaders must pander or be weak in any way. But we simply want to - and need to like our leaders. To feel this way is fundamentally human. And if we feel they aren't respecting or liking us, we're not going to give them our votes. 

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See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3151: Barack Obama and Raúl Castro Shake Hands - Body Language

Negotiation Body Language Secret No. 483:  Tiger & Zach Johnson - handshake on the 18th - not so fast

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2765: Obama, Romney, Russia and Facial Asymmetry - Contempt at The Hague

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3134: Ted Cruz to Announce his Candidacy for 2016 Presidential Race - Why He Will Never Win - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3106: Amazing Selfie Proposal - Body Language Components of Surprise

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3056: Jeb Bush Interview - 14 Dec. 2014 - Body Language Tells

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