Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3533: Johnny Depp and Amber Heard - Australian Biosecurity - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Last May Amber Heard allegedly tried to smuggle her two dogs (Pistol and Boo) into Australia - and she recently pled guilty to falsifying travel documents. Johnny Depp and Amber Heard recorded a video apology which the Australian Government (Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources) then placed on YouTube on 17 April 2016.

The following is a partial nonverbal analysis of the Hollywood couple's mea culpa.

At 0:03.7, Depp Displays a Microexpression of Disgust as Heard says "Australia ..."

During 0:10, Johnny purses his lips just after he says, "... it has to be protected." Lip pursing is significant for Clandestine Disagreement (or Clandestine Plans).

During 0:21, Depp is leans significantly backward with his head and neck. This posture projects contempt and exemplifies the classic, "Looking Down The Nose" arrogance after he says, "and Australians are just as unique ..."

0:37, More Disgust after he says, "Declare everything when you enter Australia"


Despite what words might say - an apology is never sincere without matching sincere body language (and also vocal qualities). Depp's nonverbal behavior was not congruent with either his or Heard's words - thus this was not a sincere apology.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3532: Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant and The Graham Norton Show

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3530: Justin Trudeau, Quantum Computing and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3512: Emilia Clarke, "Me Before You" 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3494: Donald Trump reacts to questions about Breitbart News reporter allegedly getting roughed up by his Campaign Manager 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3457: Chelsea Clinton refers to Bernie Sanders as "President Sanders" 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3439: Ted Cruz and the Lateral Lip Purse 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3287: Hillary Clinton, Email Servers and Crisis Management

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2685: Amber Heard, Johnny Depp Engaged - When They Fell In Love

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3430: Jack Sock, Lleyton Hewitt and Sportsmanship - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

At the Hopman Cup in Perth, Australia this past Tuesday, a nice bit of sportsmanship was shown by American Jack Sock. In a match vs. Australian Lleyton Hewitt, a ball was called out on serve of Hewitt's. Hewitt was just about to take his second serve, when Sock said, "That was in if you want to challenge it."

Lleyton Hewitt's face is captured below the moment he realized what his opponent had just done. This moment shows three emotions, the combination of which is relatively unusual to rare to capture photographically.

What many will notice first is Hewitt's sincere (Duchenne) smile. Note his (momentary) concave-up furrows in both of his lower lids. His forehead is also relaxed. Only his upper teeth are showing and his cheek muscles are vectored primarily upward (rather than laterally).


Hewitt's second emotion he's experiencing is a form of embarrassment. His blushing is pronounced.

The Adelaide native, who announced he will be retiring after the Australian Open, is also feeling a third emotion - that of shock. What are the two key facial features which characterize Lleyton's shock?

Lleyton Hewitt went on to victory in this match, however what most people will remember is Sock's Sportsmanship.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3429: Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward met with Ammon Bundy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3294: Ana Ivanovic, Lip Biting and the U.S. Open

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 131: When the eyes are "White and Wide" 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3054: Rory McIlroy laughs off "Sweet Caroline" tune (But Not Memories of Wozniacki) - Blushing, Smiling, Sincerity and Empathy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2107: Andy Murray, Affection and Savoring the Moment

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3360: Donald Trump's Body Language Dissonance 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3406: Republican Debate, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio and a Body Language Tell for Insincerity 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3264: Hillary Clinton, Likability and Perceived Trustworthiness


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3040: Mourning after the Sydney Hostage Crisis - Sincerity & Empathy (PHOTOS)

As with any tragedy, in the aftermath of the Sydney Hostage Crisis people are mourning - and most of them don't know the victims.

In these three still images we see body language examples of hand coverings of the mouth, mouth-nose, and mouth-nose-eyes to varying degrees

The causes of these nonverbal behaviors is not from any type  embarrassment of public display of emotions - rather it is a natural and common (though not ubiquitous) reaction during moments of a dissociation between what is known by the intellect and what is being felt by the emotional brain. The mind is trying to process the emotions and catch up with what the rational brain already understands.

Of course these are three still images and not a comprehensive assessment of any of these scenes or the people in them. However those who display these nonverbal signals upon seeing, thinking of, hearing about, etc. another person's/peoples' suffering - indicate higher empathy and sincerity quotients vs. those who do not exhibit such body language. There are of course many nonverbal signs of sincerity and empathy.



My condolences to the family and loved-ones of Ms. Katrina Dawson and Mr. Tori Johnson.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3039: Selfies and Smiling at the Sydney Hostage Crisis 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3038: Johnny Manziel's first NFL Start - a Representative Body Language Moment

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3037: Angelina has Chickenpox and will not be able to attend some events for the opening of her movie, "Unbroken" - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3036: Angelina Jolie runs into Amy Pascal after email Hack

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2322:  Jeb Bush & Matt Lauer - Which one is the Narcissist?  Body Language Red Flags

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2982: Politicians Should Never Do This If They Want To Be Elected - Hillary Clinton's Body Language Faux Pas

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2313: Elisa Lam Video in Elevator at Cecil Hotel - What Her Body Language Tells Us

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3039: Selfies and Smiling at the Sydney Hostage Crisis (PHOTOS)

When asked about the great lessons of life, a 99 year-old patient of mine once said, "It's never about you. Even when you think it's about you, it's not about you."

The tragic deaths of Katrina Dawson, 38, and Tori Johnson, 34 at the hands of a deranged gunman, Man Haron Monis, in the Lindt Chocolate Cafe in Sydney, Australia only a few hours ago should remind us all of the sanctity and fragility of life. Yet a few people turned this into an opportunity to take "selfies" and proceeded to post them on various social media.

Of course everyone is entitled to feel joy-happiness of varying degrees for whatever reason they wish - however this does not make it healthy behavior.

Taking photos of tragic events is very difficult to perform if one is emotionally healthy - just ask any photojournalist.
Yet taking images of oneself in association with others' suffering demonstrates a very low (or absent) empathy quotient and moreover is narcissistic and very often is sociopathic.


Another way to frame this, is that smiling out of context always raises a red flag and should cause you to dig deeper. It may be just signaling who took the last cookie - or as in the above examples, considerably worse.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3038: Johnny Manziel's first NFL Start - a Representative Body Language Moment

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3007: Man Flags Down Reporter, Confesses to Shooting, Carjacks Reporter's Vehicle, then Crashes it into a Gasoline Tank - Smiling Out of Context

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2769: Smiling Out of Context in a Mass Shooter - T.J. Lane's Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3027: Janay Rice interview on "Today" regarding Ray Rice's Assault

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2972: Rachel Respess, Destrehan High School Teacher Arrested and Smiling Incongruent with Emotional Context

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2733: A Neuroscientist who's a Psychopath - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3010: McStay Family Murders - Body Language Signs of a Sociopath


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3017: Narendra Modi, Tony Abbott and Hugs at the G20 (PHOTOS)

Here we see Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Tony Abbott hugging last week at the G20. In three photos taken from different angles in rapid sequence we can dissect the relative thought-feelings of each man during this hug/Abrazo.

In the top two images Modi's hand is cupped - preventing full palmar contact with the Australian's back - while Abbott's palm makes full contact. Abbott's hand also contacts for a longer duration.

Modi' is also "leaning into" the hug more while Abbott is standing with straighter back.

Abbott's eyelids are closed for part of the hug, while Modi's eyelids remain open.

In the final image it can be seen that Modi's disengages from the embrace quicker with the beginnings of a turning away/rotation of his torso.

Thus while this hug is certainly not the same kind of embrace seen with greater levels of intimacy, and is not meant to suggest so (e.g., The handshake which initiated this greeting is maintained during the hug and therefore keeps a greater distance between them) - there is still disparity in the level of affection displayed here - which is profoundly valuable to recognize. Mr. Abbott's eyelid closure, standing straighter during the hug, hugging for longer duration and his full palmar contact - vs. a lack of all these shown by Mr. Modi - tells us that Mr. Abbott trusts Mr. Modi, is emotionally comfortable with him and is generally more open in the context of leadership - while Mr. Modi is relatively diminished in these feelings towards Mr. Abbott and/or Australia.

Of course their body language disparity could be due to Mr. Modi's relative lack of exposure on the World stage vs. Mr. Abbott who has been at the game a bit longer .... or it may be for other reasons. It is, however, NOT due to their cultural differences and it is also NOT because Mr. Abbott is trying hard to be a good host (the G20 was held in Brisbane, Australia). It will be interesting to see how the relationship between these two men and their countries changes during their administrations.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3016: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway and a Suppressed yet Sincere Smile

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3014: Vladimir Putin - Odd Man Out Down Under at the G20 Summit

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2511:  Barack Obama & Vladimir Putin  Handshake at 2013 G20 Meeting

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3012: Tony Abbott No Shirtfronts Vladimir Putin at APEC - (yet he buttons-up) - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2771: Australian PM Tony Abbott regarding Malaysian Airlines MH370 Search - Body Language Misinterpretations and Regret

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2260:  'Top Chef' host Padma Lakshmi regarding  New Delhi's recent gang-rape,  Indian Culture and Sexual-Physical Harassment - Body Language Nuance

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2980: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella at Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing Thinks Women Should Not Ask for Raises and should Trust in Karma 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3012: Tony Abbott "No Shirtfronts" Vladimir Putin at APEC - (yet he buttons-up) - Body Language Tells (PHOTO)

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Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott is on record saying he would "shirtfront" Vladimir Putin regarding Russia's alleged involvement, albeit indirectly, in the missile-downing of Malaysian Airlines MH17 over eastern Ukraine in July 2014. The colloquial, "To Shirtfront", is an Australian Rules football term meaning "to head-on charge aimed at bumping an opponent to the ground" - and although Mr. Abbott was of course speaking metaphorically - it remains to be seen if something close to a diplomatic equivalent has been performed.

The above photo was taken at the APEC Summit four days ago in Beijing - and although it is a still image, much can be gleaned from Tony's and Vladimir's nonverbals. Mr. Abbott is in the process of buttoning his jacket, and although heads-of-state are always concerned with their image and thus being photographed - buttoning one's jacket during a conversation very often indicates a closed-mindedness and/or disbelief in what the other party is saying (e.g. If you're a sales person - it's one example of an absolute wrong time to attempt to close a sale). Also Mr. Abbott's eyebrows are lowered and although it's difficult to fully discern from this angle, appear to be somewhat drawn together. His nostrils are flared, there is mild mid-facial tension, and his eyelids are nearly closed. This nonverbal cluster-context indicates that whatever explanation the Russian President is giving him, Mr. Abbott is not buying it. He is feeling primarily incredulous with some significant anger component in this moment.

Mr. Putin's forehead is not fully visible, although a mild "Central Forehead Contraction" (CFC) is seen here. Together with a mouth smile, the CFC is consistent with incredulity, arrogance, contempt - or insincerity (depending on the other nonverbals with which it is clustered). This is very bad expression for any politician to adopt - and Mr. Putin is certainly not alone in such bad acting - for many politicians make this expression (from every single political stripe) while attempting to project empathy - yet almost no one can ever consistently and accurately "act" empathetic. Chronic insincerity together with low or absent empathy equals a sociopath personality.

The G20 Summit which has just begun in Brisbane will undoubtedly bring some more telling body language.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2771: Australian PM Tony Abbott regarding Malaysian Airlines MH370 Search - Body Language Misinterpretations and Regret

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No 2893: Petro Poroshenko - Downed Malaysia Air MH17 - like 9/11 & Pan Am Flight 103

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2892: Alexander Borodai - Donetsk's People's Republic Prime Minister (Pro-Russian Separatist Leader) interview with Chris Cuomo regarding Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3011: Jennifer Lawrence on David Letterman - Tongue-in-Cheek Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3009: Vladimir Putin, Chivalry and China's first lady Peng Liyuan

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3010: McStay Family Murders - Body Language Signs of a Sociopath

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3007: Man Flags Down Reporter, Confesses to Shooting, Carjacks Reporter's Vehicle, then Crashes it into a Gasoline Tank - Smiling Out of Context (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

In a recent bizarre occurrence out of Australia, reporter Peter Steer was on his way to cover a shooting when the suspect (Jule Brook) flagged him down. Initially unaware of who Brook was, the man then tearfully confessed to the shooting. Yet in a few moments his temperament changed and he then carjacked Steer's vehicle. Shortly thereafter he crashed it into a gasoline tank and tried to acquire a cigarette lighter - apparently with the intent of some impromptu arson activity before police could stop him.

The image below was taken as Mr. Jule Brook was entering and stealing Steer's vehicle. Note that his expression is one of a sincere, but suppressed smile. Smiling, even when partial or suppressed - if there are elements of sincerity present in such an out-of-context scenario - this should always raise concerns (when the smile is suppressed as it is in this and similar scenarios - it's akin to the psychology of duping delight). Of course Brook had just confessed to a shooting (in which he believed he had committed a murder, although his victim survived). Blood was literally on his hands and he had been crying a moment before. Now with the same gun he allegedly used in the first crime, announces his full intent to steal Steer's ride - and his expression has changed to a suppressed, sincere smile. This extreme emotional volatility is also another highly significant red flag.

Take home point: Learn to recognize sincere smiles and always beware of smiling out of context

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3006: Charles "Chase" Merritt - Arrested and Charged with Murder of the Entire McStay Family

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2769: Smiling Out of Context in a Mass Shooter - T.J. Lane's Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2972: Rachel Respess, Destrehan High School Teacher Arrested and Smiling Incongruent with Emotional Context

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2997: Halloween Haunted Houses - Transitioning from Expressions of Surprise

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2991: Gavin Siem flags down Grant County Deputy Dustin Canfield - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2451:  Jennifer Psaki, Egypt and Smiling Out of Context

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2508: Anne Frank, Sincere Smiles and Emotional Comfort

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2960: First iPhone 6 Dropped in Perth - Body Language Cluster of .... (VIDEO, PHOTO)

Last week the first iPhone 6s were released and millions were of course purchased. Jack Cooksey bought the first one in Perth, Australia - and immediately obliged a T.V. reporter when she asked to show it on camera. Unfortunately his adrenaline was a bit elevated and as he opened the box, his new iPhone fell onto the sidewalk. Ouch.

The expression/movements on/of the reporter's face afterward provides us with a good example of a nonverbal cluster of embarrassment including:

• Facial Blushing
• Prolonged Bilateral eye closure
• Tongue Jut
• Head Shaking side-to-side
• Sincere Suppressed Smile

What other body language signals did you observe in this video which indicates embarrassment?

Not only does the reporter feels it's her fault - she also has a high empathy quotient. How do we go about assessing a person's empathy level?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2959: The Hunger Games Mockingjay - What makes Donald Sutherland (as President Coriolanus Snow) look so Evil? Body Language Trailer Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2787: Korean Ferry Sinking, Empathy and Emotional Processing

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2669: Sara Bareilles and the Body Language of the Rationalization Rapport Empathy Expression

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2778: April Fools Prank, Embarrassment and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2764: Embarrassment, Affection & Flirtation - Mila Kunis & Ashton Kutcher - Kiss Cam

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2664: Anchorman 2 Cast on Graham Norton - A Body Language Signal of Embarrassment

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2922: Evacuating Yazidis from Iraq's Mount Sinjar - A Daughter's Anguish, Empathy and Mirror Neurons

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2457: Surfer Gets Knocked Unconscious by Whale Body Language Basics from Bondi Beach(Video, Photos)

Dr. Bishan Rajapakse, an emergency room physician, ended up in the ER himself earlier this week. Dr. Rajapakse was surfing off Bondi Beach (New South Wales, Australia) when a southern right whale came to within 120 meters of shore. Naturally curiosity prevailed and the surfing doc and others paddled up to the leviathan. After the whale maneuvered - what for it was a mild stoke with one of its flippers - Dr. Rajapakse was knocked off of his surf board and unconscious. His mates and the life guards got him to shore and off to the hospital.  

In this image (1:29) a trace contraction of Dr. Rajapakse's central forehead (CFC) can be seen. In this context it is certainly expected since a CFC is seen accompanying the display of physical or emotional pain (for oneself or another via empathy). In what other cluster-contexts is the CFC seen?



Bihan's eyes are also opened considerably wider than normal. This nonverbal is common with fear (which he is re-experiencing as he recounts his story) and increased adrenaline states. What other emotional states are consistent with widely opened eyelids?

In this moment (1:31) his fear crescendo is peaking to more fully express itself. As a physician and a human being he realizes events could have been much worse.

The CFC is still present and more fully manifested. If greater fear were present his forehead would be contracted over its entire width. His eyebrows are also now significantly elevated and his eyelids are opened even more fully.

Of particular note is Dr. Rajapakse's mouth - the corners are pulled out and downward with his lips very tightened. If the fear were more extremely felt, his teeth - particularly his lower teeth would be visible.

The multiple dimples of his chin are also consistent with this fear expression. What is virtually always overlooked though - particularly in more subtle displays of fear - is the tenting up of his neck muscles - the platsyma and sternocleidomastoid - which are fairly strongly exemplified here. In higher moments of fear the head, neck and torso will pull backwards (not seen here).

This cetacean sparring surfer's fear is easy for most people to spot. Yet subtle levels of fear are often present but seldom recognized in the sales process, in negotiations, in depositions, voir dire, etc. - and thus very valuable and actionable information slips though fingers every single day.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2454:  NTSB Chairwoman Deborah Hersman & a Subtle "Neck of Fear"

Body Language Secret # 702:  Blake Lively's Mouth of Fear,  trying to Smile and  Forehead of Pain

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2274:  The Eyes & Mouth of Fear -  Body Language of Ahmed Dogan during  Attempted Assassination

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2053:  Strong Signal of Fear-Sadness Anxiety -  Aurora, Colorado "Batman Shooting"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2443:  Kristen Wiig's Disgust & Fear Face -  Graham Norton, Chris O'Dowd and Fly Eating

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2338:  Why Does Keit Pentus-Rosimannus feel Fear?  Body Language of Estonia's Minister of Environment

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2344:  Jillian Michaels Body Language  Neck of Fear & Mouth of Fear 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2456: Julia Merfeld Trys to Hire a Hit Man to Kill Her Husband - Sexual Attraction and a Murderous Wife; Body Language and Disinhibition

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1696:  George Zimmerman's Testimony -  Fear, Incredulity, Regret & Contempt

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2261: Mom pulls Python off of her 2 year old daughter - Body Language & Microexpression of Fear

Tess Guthrie, a mother from Lismore, New South Wales, Australia had the scare of a lifetime recently. Waking to the hiss of her cat, she suddenly realized a snake had wrapped around her two year old's arm. She immediately grabbed the six foot python by its head and wrestled it off her daughter Zara. Although the snake had bit Zara three times, Ms. Guthrie probably saved her young daughter's life.

In this video Ms. Guthrie recounts the incident during an interview. At the 0:25 second mark she displays a great nonverbal example of a "Mouth of Fear" as she relives the emotions of that terrifying experience. This terror is manifested in a microexpression (extremely brief in duration) and is accompanied by a simultaneous but significantly more subtle tightening of the platysma. The platysma is a thin neck muscle which lies just beneath the skin on the front and sides of the neck and "tents up" - giving the highly characteristic (and yet very rarely noticed) "Neck of Fear". Although this neck muscular contraction is less prominent in this video example, it often is quite pronounced. 

These two body language signals - the "mouth of fear" and "neck of fear" virtually always co-exist and are extremely valuable nonverbal tells which are displayed many times a day in business, law, medical and sales professionals.

See also:

Body Language Secret # 702: Blake Lively's Mouth of Fear,  trying to Smile and  Forehead of Pain

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1927: Italy's Fans watching Euro 2012 Final - Expressions of Fear

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2031: Tina Fey arriving at Alec Baldwin's Wedding,  Fear-Empathy with a (partial) Sincere Smile - Emotional Dissonance 

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 931: Harbaugh's Body Language of Fear and Anxiety

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1106: Subtle Fear Display of al-Assad

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2053: Strong Signal of Fear-Sadness Anxiety - Aurora, Colorado "Batman Shooting"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1696: George Zimmerman's Testimony - Fear, Incredulity, Regret & Contempt

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2103: Great Example of a Microexpression of Fear 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2227: Sincerity and Insincerity regarding Suicide Death of Jacintha Saldanha

Mel Greig and Michael Christian, the Radio Personalities from an Australian radio station, gave Television interviews on Monday regarding the suicide of Jacintha Saldanha. Ms. Saldanha is the 46-year-old nurse who had put the phone call through to other nursing staff at when the two made a prank inquiring as to the health of the Duchess of Cambridge. Kate Middleton had been admitted to King Edward VII Hospital for Hyperemesis gravidarum. While full details regarding the full cause of the suicide are yet to be made public, if ever they are elicited, these interviews are from a body language view point, very revealing.

In both of these videos, Ms. Mel Greig displayed a high sincerity quotient, while her male colleague, Michael Christian displayed multiple nonverbal examples of a distinct lack of sincerity, and moreover gave multiple body language tells of contempt. You should never want Michael Christian on your jury.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1855: Sincere Kisses & Closed Eyes

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1600:  Senator Marco Rubio - Sincerity, Self-directed Incredulity & Humor, Blocking and Appeals for the Vice Presidency

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2052:  Dialing Up Empathy and Sincerity -  Mitt Romney's & Barack Obama's Response to  Aurora, Colorado "Batman Shooting"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1905:  Ann Curry's Smile and Sincerity Quotient 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2093:  Ann Curry's Tearful Goodbye -  Matt Lauer's Classic "Tongue-in-Cheek" and Duplicitous Smile


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Negotiation Body Language Secret # 801: Mirroring Down Under

This photo was taken during an Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Honolulu, Hawai'i. In it we see demonstrated a great example of "Mirroring" of U. S. President Barack Obama by Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard. We tend to mirror those we like and/or respect - and the vast majority of the time this is done subconsciously. Deliberate and conscious mirroring can be a way of building rapport with another, but you must be very careful not to mirror too simultaneously or too precisely - lest your behavior becomes obvious and it backfires. Another potential disaster with mirroring, is that you could mimic a negative nonverbal without knowing it. Ouch!

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Negotiation Body Language Secret # 349: Pointing with Two Fingers (or more)

When you're speaking and you feel the need to point, there are several different ways to do so. Some are better and some are horrific. The more digits you use to point with, the more it "softens" the point - and the less you offend. If done correctly, you'll build rapport with your audience - even an audience of one. It is best to point with the entire hand - with all five digits approximately three-quarters extended but still relaxed and the palm directed upwards. The wrist, elbow and shoulder should be relaxed as well. The more fully extended (and thus more tense) these joints are - the greater a similar level of tension will be displayed on the face. These tensions feed off each other. Here Julia Gillard, the Prime Minister of Australia, points with two fingers and her thumb - however because of the 95% full extension of these digits as well as a similar effort in her entire arm - although it has less sting than the classic one-finger point, she would be well advised to further mellow-out this gesture. Pointing is a universally negative nonverbal - regardless of your culture or country.

Everyone can remember a parent telling us when we were very young, "...don't point, it's rude...", or some variation on this theme - and yet very many an accomplished and otherwise skilled adult commits this body language sin all too often..... a' la David Stern (see: Negotiation Secret # 339: Don't Point at Me! I'm Not Your Child!) Whom have you pointed at today?

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Negotiation Body Language Secret # 371: Looking Down Your Nose

The old saying, "Don't look down your nose....", like many Body Language related sounding phrases, has very accurate roots in the real world of human behavior and psychology. This is Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard. At the moment of this image, she's exemplifying this pose beautifully. If she were sitting next to me as I write this, I have absolutely no doubt that it was not her intention to appear arrogant or condescending - but these are the messages she is sending. It is another signal for contempt - which very often is overlooked. It is often quite evanescent.

The head is characteristically tilted backwards with simultaneous jutting of the jaw. Although it's not present here, this head tilt, nose up, chin out pose is often accompanied by nostril flaring. Ms. Gillard also shows us the often coexisting lower lip extended in a pseudo-pout pose. 

We all occasionally adopt this body language facial expression, because at some moments we truly feel superior. And while the majority of the time, arrogance may not be indicative of someone's over-all personality, for an instant or two these signals will betray their emotional tone. Very often their words will not match this tell. So be wary when you see it, because the nonverbal signals are always correct.

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Negotiation Body Language Secret # 753: What Not to Wear When the Queen Visits

Next time you dance for the Queen, make sure you dress in etiquette. Here Queen Elizabeth II watches an Aboriginal Dance in Perth, Australia. Her facial expressions and other nonverbals display Disgust, Anger and Anger Control-Anxiety. Despite being royalty, she also is displaying low confidence and deferential Body Language where none is warranted. 

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