Body Language Analysis No. 4141: Vladimir Putin and Michael Flynn in Moscow (Part II) - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

This photo was taken in Moscow in December of 2015. The event was a dinner honoring the 10th anniversary of the Russian news agency RT (Russia Today).

You probably recognize are the two men shaking hands - Vladimir Putin and Michael Flynn. The recently retired US thee star general was paid at least $45,000 to speak at this event - although he did not seek security clearance from the Defense Department or the US State Department as was required. Flynn also failed to include a record of the payment in his reapplication for security clearance in February 2016. Several US officials report being startled by the fact he was at the same table as the Russian President - seated immediately to Putin's right.

Note that Flynn's entire body - his feet, hips, torso, and head - are directly pointing toward Putin. Not surprisingly this nonverbal dynamic is termed, "(Full) Body Pointing". In the context of a handshake, full body pointing is proper form - as it demonstrates respect and being fully present in the moment.

Unfortunately, due to the low resolution and the angle of the photographer - we cannot discern either man's degree of eye contact.

Flynn is slightly "stepping into" the handshake - leading with his left foot by 8 - 10 inches.

A split second prior to making contact in this moment, both of their hands are oriented relatively parallel to each other, and perpendicular to the floor.

In contrast, although we cannot see the direction of his feet, President Putin is not body pointing in Flynn's direction at all. Rather he's oriented at approximately 45 degrees away from the American. Normally during those handshakes when a one person is pointing away from the other person with their feet or hips - their upper torso will rotate compensate along with their neck and head, completing the rotation. It's profoundly important here that Vladimir Putin is not turning his body at all - except, probably his eyes.

We don't body point or look directly at another person who we don't like, respect, or trust. This is particularly true with a handshake.

Summary: During the time of this photo, the US and Russia were on semi-hostile terms. Michael Flynn's handshake demonstrates respect for President Putin - however, Putin shows disrespect, dislike, and/or distrust Flynn.

Contrast Putin's subconscious nonverbal behavior (disrespect toward Flynn) - with the very deliberate (conscious) decision to seat Flynn in the chair of honor - immediately to Putin's right. Whenever such behaviors are in contrast - it's the subconscious actions (Putin's body language) which tell the true thought-feelings.

Did you spot Jill Stein? Mikhail Gorbachev? See Part I link below.


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See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3922: Vladimir Putin and Michael Flynn in Moscow (Part I)

Body Language Analysis No. 4140: Michael Flynn Pleads Guilty

Body Language Analysis No. 4138: Matt Lauer, Intimidation, and Aggression

Body Language Analysis No. 4135: What Makes Markle's Eyes Sparkle?

Body Language Analysis No. 4132: Drake's Tattoo of Denzel Washington

Body Language Analysis No. 4097: Andre Agassi, Boris Becker, and a Tennis Tongue Tell

Body Language Analysis No. 4067: 2017 Emmys - Melissa McCarthy's Reaction to Sean Spicer Doing Melissa McCarthy Doing Sean Spicer

Body Language Analysis No. 4039: Blue Angels, Surprise, Emotional Processing, and Empathy

Body Language Analysis No. 4001: Jodie Whittaker, Dr. Who, and Flirting from a TARDIS


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3497: Sasha Obama, Malia Obama, Ryan Reynolds and a State Dinner - Body Language (PHOTO)

This image of Sasha Obama speaking with Ryan Reynolds at the recent State Dinner for Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (and his wive Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau) went viral - most notably because of Malia displaying a consciously driven and universally recognized nonverbal emblem of encouragement/optimism/agreement to her younger sister - giving both thumbs up. Yet what else can we glean in this moment?

When two people first meet - or are meeting for the hundredth time, upon greeting (in the vast majority, but not all cultures), their bodies should point directly at one another - feet, hips, torso, shoulders, head and eyes. This conveys respect and a full attention as well as feelings of being fully present in that given moment. When among friends or familiar/well-received colleagues, about 5 to 10 seconds after a greeting, their bodies should angle apart a bit,  approximately 20-25 degrees. When a very first meeting occurs, this body-pointing will be delayed a bit longer, until approximately 30 - 45 seconds has passed.

If too much turning takes place (e.g., greater than 35 - 40 degrees), or this turning occurs too soon after meeting, this will be project feelings of disengagement/aloofness, disrespect, arrogance or preoccupation with another person/issue. However if the body-pointing (directly at the other person) is maintained for too long, depending on the other nonverbal signals with which it's clustered - this will signal low emotional comfort/anxiety or sometimes confrontation/anger (.... and what other emotion?).

Of course Sasha, being just 14 (as with every teenager) is still probably still learning such social skills (and despite their famous father, she and her sister are still star-struck), but Ryan Reynolds has not yet rotated either - why? The answer is most probably several fold: this was most likely within the first few seconds after their meeting - or perhaps Mr. Ryan also has anxiety/low emotional comfort. After all, this was his first state dinner (as it was for both Sasha and Malia) and very probably his first White House visit too. Moreover, with cameras flashing all around, even those experienced with the limelight will rarely relax very much.

Did you notice that Sasha has a smile of true joy-happiness - a Duchenne Smile? Did you overlook President Obama in the far background? Of all the people in this image, who is displaying the highest anxiety? Who has an element of regret?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3496: Hillary Clinton and George W. Bush Hugging at Nancy Reagan's Funeral

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2: Body Language of Blake Lively and Penn Badgley Strongly Suggests an Impending Break-up in Near Future (from 2010)

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2919: Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama - Friends? - will they Hug it Out?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3325: Vladimir Putin, the United Nations, Russian Soil and Confidence Levels

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3453: Marco Rubio's Hyper-Alpha, Backfiring Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3475: John Kasich Hugs a Supporter - Was He Sincere?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3452: A Ted Cruz Rapport Destroyer


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3446: Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Body Language (PHOTOS)

Yesterday the Denver Broncos beat the New England Patriots 20-18 for the AFC Championship and the right to play the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50. Much was made of the match-up between their respective quarterbacks - Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. While Brady's Patriots has been victorious in the majority (11-6) in overall games vs. Manning - Peyton leads in wins when it comes to payoff games (3-2).

These two images were captured after different games in different seasons. The picture above shows Manning (orange jersey) and Brady just after last night's game, while the photo below was from 12 October 2012 when the Patriots were victorious (31-21).

In each of these post-game meetings, the losing quarterback is the first to turn away from the conversation. While the face and eyes lag, remaining partially turned toward the winner, the respective losing athlete rotates their bodies away. The loser is the first to disengage. Thus while both of these men are high-alpha personalities, the contexts of these meetings are opposite - with Manning being the winner and therefore projecting his relative-alpha, whole-body pointing toward Brady (relatively beta) in the moment above - with the reverse occurring in the scenario below.

If we could see the configuration of their legs, it's highly likely that in each of these situations the winning QB would have his feet more widely planted, while the loser's feet would be close together. Lower extremities are the first to acquiesce while the face and eyes linger.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3445: Harrison Ford Re-enacts 'I Love You' Scene from Star Wars - The Graham Norton Show

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3078: Tom Brady, Deflategate, Deception and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3079: Tom Brady, Deflategate - Part Deux

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3172: Jameis Winston, the NFL Draft, Body Language and Predicting Violent Behavior

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2904: Roger Goodell's Defending the NFL's Punishment for Ray Rice - Bad Crisis Management & Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2947: Governor Rick Perry - Beta Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3282: Zac Efron Swam with a Wild Tiger Shark and Avoided an Attack by using Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3253: John Kasich Formally Announces His Candidacy for President
 
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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3429: Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward met with Ammon Bundy - Body Language Tells (PHOTOS)

Yesterday Harney County (Oregon) Sheriff Dave Ward met with Ammon Bundy at an intersection near Malheur National Wildlife Refuge - federal land which was seized last Saturday along with other militia-activists.

From a body language viewpoint this handshake between Sheriff Ward and Mr. Bundy tells us some critical information. There were other law enforcement personnel present (by some reports, sheriffs of neighboring counties) as well as some other activists - with Ammon Bundy as their apparent leader.

Note that Mr. Bundy is pointing his body approximately 90 degrees from the sheriff. During a handshake, the entire body - feet, hips, torso, shoulders, face - and most importantly the eyes - should be pointed directly toward the other person. The sheriff is pointing toward Bundy - but Bundy is not doing the same.

A few seconds later - after the 2-5 second duration handshake - if good rapport is to be achieved and/or maintained one or both people should rotate their bodies so that collectively there is a 20-30 degree rotation (so that their bodies are not directly pointing at each other). If, after a handshake, this body rotation does NOT occur - it will serve to elevate the tension between the two people (the same is even true in the animal world). Here we see an extreme rotation AND it's DURING the handshake (not after). In isolation, such body nonalignment may signify disrespect, dislike, lack of engagement and/or lack of sincerity.

If there's one time when there should be eye contact - it's during a handshake. Note that Sheriff Ward is looking at Bundy, however Bundy is looking off in the distance - to Ward's right. It's amazing how frequent those who are leaders (or who call themselves "leaders") will not look another in the eye during a handshake. This non-eye contact during a handshake, when interpreted in isolation could convey lack of respect, deception, insincerity, acquiescence or being intimidated.

Notice also that the Sheriff's left hand is out at his side, while Bundy's left hand is in his pocket. This is also an extreme body language faux pas. It doesn't matter if it's winter. The left hand should never be hidden or pocketed when shaking hands. Taken on its own, this hidden-hand behavior also has the same possible meanings as the above described low degree of eye contact - being intimidated, lack of respect, deception, acquiescence or insincerity.

Did you notice how the Sheriff is leaning into the handshake but Bundy is leaning a bit backwards? What do you think this means?

While this is only but moment in time - it's very telling. When interpreted in toto, this particular handshake-meeting is significant for low respect, insincerity, a non-compromising mindset - on the part of Mr. Bundy. Law enforcement should strongly consider these during their negotiations as well as very possibly a clandestine plan.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3428: Jenna Dewan Tatum performs Ginuwine's "Pony" - Lip Sync Battle

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2851: Jerad Miller Interview at Cliven Bundy Ranch Incident - Body Language Warning Signs

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3169: Baltimore Deputy Police Commissioner Jerry Rodriguez regarding the Death of Freddie Gray 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3133: The Red Flag of Robert Durst's Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3424: Donald Trump, "Hillary Clinton created ISIS with Obama"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3416: LeBron James Catches a Golden State Fan "calling" him a Cry Baby 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3398: Orangutan Sees a Magic Trick - Bonding, Rapport and Laughter

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3403: "Johnnie Walker - Dear Brother" Commercial

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3426: Barack Obama, Executive Action, Gun Control and Body Language

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3417: Freshman Mistakes and Faux Pas Abound - Debates and Body Language (PHOTOS)

Although they all have professional debate coaches who presumably advise them accurately (or maybe not), Presidential candidates are very often are slow learners (always rationalizing, "I must be pretty good if I've gotten this far!").

Although there are rare exceptions (can you name one?), the vast majority of the time one cardinal rule of a political debate is to never turn toward your opponent when they are speaking. Doing so makes you look like a follower - not a leader. It's a prime example of very public self-subordination.

In the vast majority of all other scenarios, the exact opposite is true - when engaged in healthy conversation, we should point our entire body (feet, hips, torso, face and eyes) toward the other person (An important nuance here is that it should not be directly - rather offset by approximately 15-20 degrees to one side). Doing so conveys respect. However a debate is a highly-contextualized situation, and not only will turning toward your opponent make you appear acquiescing - it will truly engender your neurobiology to this self-fulfilled (defeat) prophecy as well. You might just as well say, "I'm the beta, he's/she's the alpha".

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3416: LeBron James Catches a Golden State Fan "calling" him a Cry Baby

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3339: First Democratic Presidential Debate - Jim Webb's Proud of Making this Enemy 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3405: Republican Debate, Ben Carson and Timidity 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3407: GOP Debate, the National Anthem and Shades of Napoleon 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3371: John Kasich at the Republican Debate 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3410: Bernie Sanders Apologizes to Hillary Clinton for Data Breach at Democratic Debate

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3268: Advice to the Ten Republicans for Thursday Night's Presidential Debate

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2357: Why is this Image so Sexy? Body Language of "Hide & Seek" 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3355: Spin the Microphone on Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show - Gwen Stefani is very attracted to Blake Shelton - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Along with Adam Levine and Pharrell Williams, Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton were also guests of Jimmy Fallon Tuesday on the Tonight Show (The original video has been removed from Fallon's Youtube Channel).

Gwen Stafani displayed multiple nonverbal signals indicating her sexual attraction to Blake Shelton. And Blake sent some back. Some of these body language tells are disgusted below.

Gwen Stefani repeatedly displayed a classic signal of sexual display/sexual attraction during this "Spin the Microphone" game.

Multiple times, along with other body pointing, Stephani directed her armpits toward Blake Shelton while falsely adjusting here hair.

Stefani's "Elbows Out Hair Adjust" aka "Armpit display" was repeatedly directed at Sheldon - not only with one arm several times - but with both.

Pharrell Williams and Adam Levine recognized (or had foreknowledge) of their two co-judges' ("The Voice") mutual attraction and seemed to acquiesce their own respective energies to Gwen, Blake - and their bonding. 

Depending on the other nonverbals with which it is clustered, this elbows out (false) hair adjust is a very reliable signal of sexual attraction and/or sexual display.

Stephani's and Shelton's eye contact with each other was significantly greater than with Fallon, Pharrell or Levine. This was particularly true of Gwen.

Note Stephani's hips very close to Shelton's during this hug. This is body language proximity is highly indicative of significant affection and/or sexual attraction.

If you were to only see this last image, based on their body language - who would you think is more attracted to the other, Shelton to Stephani or Stephani to Shelton .... or is their attraction about equal? What specifically makes you conclude their relative attraction levels?


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3354: Rape Victim (13 year old girl) Demands to Make a Statement at the Sentencing of Perpetrator

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3349: Justin Trudeau, Stephen Harper, Sophie Grégoire, & Laureen Harper in Ottawa for Nathan Cirillo's Ceremony

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3138: Wisconsin's Nigel Hayes, "God She's Beautiful" and Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3165: Bruce Jenner's 20/20 Interview, Part I 
 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3348: Vladimir Putin, Bashar al-Assad and the World Stage (PHOTOS)

After four and a half years of the Syrian Civil War which is rapidly escalating with multiple actors, Bashar al-Assad has found a stronger ally in Vladimir Putin. Beginning on 30 September 2015, Russian planes began bombing al-Assad's opponents. And while initially, Putin claimed the purpose of these attacks were to fight ISIS, the Russian President has since admitted his priority of strengthening al-Assad.

Surprise ... the Syrian President met with his Russian counterpart earlier today in Moscow. In the above moment, al-Assad and Putin are shown shaking hands. From a body language perspective, this photo tells us several important things.

Bashar al-Assad's "smile" is a false one (AKA a pseudo-smile, fake smile or social smile) and more importantly, in this particular flavor contains a significant component of disgust.

In addition, Putin's body is turned 90 degrees away from where it should be. Vladimir is facing the camera when he should be looking at al-Assad. In order to build rapport - and show respect, your feet, hips, torso, head and eyes must be pointed at the person whose hand you're shaking. Vladimir's behavior here is highly unusual - even for a head-of-state, posed greeting.

In summary, President Putin's body language is tremendously disrespectful toward the Bashar al-Assad and very much validates the assertion of many - that Putin is using the Syrian President and conflict in order to re-assert himself on the World stage and hold onto Russia's only strong ally in the Middle East. 

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3347: Paul Ryan, The Speakership, Four Conditions and One Repetitive Facial Expression

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3325: Vladimir Putin, the United Nations, Russian Soil and Confidence Levels 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3300: Vladimir Putin, Narcissism and Body Language  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3324: Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin Shake Hands at UN Luncheon

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret No. 1162:  Ahmadinejad, Napoleon, al-Assad and Dominance

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1874:  Bad Handshake - Political Prevalence


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2016: Hillary Clinton, Roosevelt Island, Building Rapport and Body Language (PHOTOS)

Like any candidate, Hillary Clinton needs to build rapport in order to get votes. People may agree with your policies and these will have already won-over one's political base - yet to win elections and not just primaries, candidates must capture that middle 1/3 of the electorate. And swing voters will vote for those the LIKE - and then rationalize their decisions with intellectual wallpaper. We of course believe we're doing this the other way around, but we're all human beings and that's not the way we operate. In short, to win you must possess - and project - likability. Few politicians truly understand this much past a superficial (and insincere) smile. Both Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan knew this instinctively - however Hillary does not.

We turn our whole body - eyes, head, shoulders, hips and feet - towards those we like and/or those we respect. When you're running for high political office - the crowds are huge and of course you can't begin to get to everyone. It takes much more time and effort. You'll end up greeting less people. Yet you will build more rapport - much more. And those who don't get to shake your hand and look you in the eye, will do so vicariously. You'll win their votes. This is another profound version of quality vs. quantity and sincerity vs. veneer.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3214: Chris Pratt, Jurassic World, Bad Acting and a Body Language Red Flag

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3212: LeBron James stealing ball from Stephen Curry - then pointing at his Temple

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2426:  Remembering Ronald Reagan,  "Mr. Gorbachev, Tear Down This Wall"  Body Language at the Brandenburg Gate

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2861: Ronald Reagan and Variations on Thumbs

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2577: Bill Clinton and Terry McAuliffe - Alpha and Beta Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2379:  Bill Clinton's Speech at the  George W. Bush Presidential Library Opening  Body Language of Former and Current President

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2973: Rand Paul's Body Language Tells Us His Plan B for 2016

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

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3193: Kim Jong-un, Submarine Ballistic Missile Test, Photoshop and Body Language (PHOTOS)

I wish I would have seen this image when it was first released by North Korea about 10-11 days ago. It purports to capture Kim Jong-un and a senior unidentified military commander witnessing a test firing of a missile from a submarine. North Korea also stated that they have made significant advancement with respect to miniaturization of nuclear warheads such that they could be launched by this or similar weapon systems (which they've claimed before - and it's been questioned by experts). This of course worries many people.

On Tuesday, senior U.S. military officials announced that this image was Photoshopped - and that North Korea is in fact, NOT yet capable of launching ballistic missiles from submarines.

Several nonverbal signs suggest that this image was tapered with:

Note Kim Jong-un's body orientation - his shoulders, torso, abdomen, hips and lower extremities are all angled significantly away from the missile and its alleged ocean-exit. We point our bodies towards that which we respect, are attracted to and/or towards that which commands our interest and focus. The orientation of Kim's body strongly shouts significant nonchalance - not such a national event of importance and pride.

The angle of Kim's left arm is wrong. Not only is it obviously too low (missiles don't accelerate that quickly when they first ocean-exit or launch, so Kim and the other man would not have difficulty keeping up with their pointing as it ascended) - but his finger/hand/arm are pointed too far to the right of both the missile and its ocean-exit point. However much more significantly - PEOPLE DON'T POINT AT EXPECTED EVENTS (surprises, yes - or if they see something amiss or out of context, yes - but not expected events like this) - it's unnatural and feigned. Look at the image below of Lyndon Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson and many surrounding them at the launch of Apollo XI (The first mission to land astronauts on the Moon). While a good number of them are shielding their eyes from the Sun - NO ONE IS POINTING! Also, note that their bodies are entirely oriented (feet, hips, torso, neck/head) at the Saturn V - although it was more than three miles away. North Korea's rocket is a certainly a smaller one, however Kim is allegedly much closer. Anyone expecting the missile launch would not point and would be completely (their entire body) turned towards it.

What may seem insignificant to some - is very indicative of a ruse in this context - the relaxed right hand of Kim's. If he were truly pointing at a significant event (also very loud, and close and potentially dangerous) with one hand/arm - his other hand would not be relaxed - it would show significant tension and be touching his upper chest (sternum, over his heart, etc.) and/or significantly closed. It would not be relaxed. Again - this screams of a casual-indifference - and thus it's feigned.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3192: Jimmy Kimmel Chokes-up in his Tribute to David Letterman - a Body Language Signal of Crying Suppression & Sincerity

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3131: Kim Jong-un, his Uncle Jang Song-thaek and a Warning sign of Potential Violence - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3108: Kim Jong-un Haircut & mirroring his Deceased Dad - Kim Jong-il

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3186: Kim Jong-un, Hyon Yong-Chol, Intimidation and Arm-Movement


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