Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2370: Donald Trump on David Letterman - A Body Language Signal of Arrogance and Narcissism

Donald Trump appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman about three weeks ago. Throughout much of the interview (in above video), Trump's default hand position was a "Conventional Low Steeple" (pictured below). This hand configuration should be used very sparingly - just for a second or two - and essentially choreographed into the speech or conversation at moments of particularly important points. In such cases it projects power, assertiveness and an alpha personality. However most people who use this body language end up over-using it and thus it sends signals of arrogance and condescension. So when it's used excessively or even moderately this nonverbal backfires and is patronizing - and is also highly correlated with narcissistic personality disorder.

If you're a CEO, billionaire or leader of any kind, projecting arrogance and hyper-alpha attitudes do not work in your favor. Everyone know you can fire them, buy them or intimidate them - thus adopting body language of rapport rather than one which builds walls will get you to your goal more effectively.

See also:

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1503:  The Conventional Steeple vs. The Basketball Steeple -  Seeking a Balance

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 901:  The Over-used Steeple - Angela Merkel and the Backfire in Berlin

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2063:  Mitt Romney and Ed Miliband - Under Used and Backfiring Uses of Hands

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2102:  The Self-Righteous Head Wiggle and the Conventional Steeple vs.Basketball Steeple

Negotiation Secret # 277:  The Conventional Steeple:  Use it on Rare Occasions and in Small Doses

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 771:  Many Signals Steeple on the Super Committee

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1811:  Jamie Dimon - the Day Before Announcement of  JPMorgan Chase's $2 Billion Loss

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2155: Body Language Tells at the Second Presidential Debate Mitt Romney at Attention & President Obama's Disapproval-Subtle Contempt

In this clip of the second Presidential debates from earlier this week, Mitt Romney makes a HUGE body language mistake. Note during the 0:13 - 0:15 mark when President Obama is speaking, Mitt Romney stays standing with his feet very close together and both his hands clasped in front of groin. He almost looks like an enlisted man standing at attention - and getting reprimanded by his commanding officer (In a very literal sense, that's what's happening). Alpha males do not stand like this. Period. With the exception of a religious ceremony, a funeral, greeting a major religious figure, a cemetery or receiving remains of soldiers - a serving President or head of state should almost never stand with his or her feet together. It is a very beta, demure and unassertive nonverbal posture. It projects weakness and acquiesce and to even an untrained child it certainly doesn't look presidential. Intriguingly, it also works to prevent fluidity of thought and speech. He repeats this foot nonverbal behavior several times during the debate - e.g. 0:22 - 0:28.

The Fig-Leaf hand position sends a very similar message to the Feet Too Close Together Nonverbal - a low-confidence, low-comfort, beta hand-arm MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) configuration. It is a signal that a person feels the need for protection and is also known as "Genital Guarding".

Notice at the 0:59 mark where Mitt speaks about his intention to label China as a currency manipulator. He points with his index finger (forefinger) - then at 1:01 he switches to gesturing with his thumb. This has the dual advantage of driving his point home without using the universally offensive index finger point - as well as taking advantage of the nearly universally and optimistic "Thumbs Up" nonverbal.

At the 1:12 mark, Governor Romney gestures toward and touches his lower chest with his Left (non-dominant) Finger Tips Only - a much more sincere body language would be to use his dominant hand (his right hand), touch over his Left Upper Chest & Sternum with the Whole hand - most importantly the Palm of the hand. When there is no palmar touch, beware - for sincerity is lurking.

From the 1:39 to 2:01, President Obama is sitting on his chair listening to Governor Romney. His chin and nose are pointed upwards about 10-15 degrees. In general, this body language is to be avoided. However in scenarios such as a debate the President or others may use this sparingly - as a relatively subtle display to indicate his disapproval. It is certainly has a softer impact than Joe Biden's Contempt Smirk or Paul Ryan's incredulity-arrogance of a central forehead contraction with a smile.

The nonverbal Nose-in-the-Air signal of contempt is further amplified with an extended blink at the 1:46 mark in response to Romney saying ".... rather than prescribing their own future ...." at 1:55 when Mitt says, ".... is trying to characterize me as someone who is very different than who I am ...". Not to be confused with the noticeably and dramatic increased blinking frequency seen in both men - which is extremely common in high adrenaline situations such as a debate - these briefly extended duration blinks (still less than a second) indicate issues which especially get under the President's skin. 

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2152: Second Presidential Debate - 16 October 2012 - Barack Obama's Duping Delight - Benghazi, Libya Attack was an "Act of Terror" - Alpha, Beta, Confidence& Acquiescence 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1251: Las Vegas Channel 8 KLAS Interview - Body Language in Tonight's Debate - Evaluation of earlier Debates

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2150: Body Language Advice for President Obama and Governor Romney for the Second Debate

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2138: President Obama's Anger During First Debate - An Under-Appreciated Body Language Signal

Nonverbal Analysis # 2137: Mitt Romney vs. Barack Obama - First Presidential Debate - Barack's Bad Body Language

Nonverbal Analysis # 2125: Presidential Debate Body Language - George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Ross Perot 1992

Nonverbal Analysis # 346: Rick Perry Forgets: 8 Republican Presidential Hopefuls Debate in Detroit - 60 seconds of Oops, Body Language and Empathy

A Nonverbal Analysis # 2134: A Watershed Body Language Moment: Nixon - Kennedy Debates 1960

Nonverbal Analysis # 2131: Presidential Debate Highlights - Bush vs. Gore 2000 - Gore's Invasion of Bush's Personal Space

Nonverbal Analysis # 2104: Mitt Romney's Convention Speech - Part II

Nonverbal Analysis # 1149: Who was More Nervous in Last Night's Debate? Santorum, Romney, Gingrich or Paul?

Nonverbal Analysis # 915: Interpersonal Space of Candidates 

Nonverbal Analysis # 2135: Ronald Reagan in Nashua, New Hampshire: "I'm Paying for this Microphone Mr. Green!"

Nonverbal Analysis # 2136: Some Body Language Highlights from First Obama - Romney Presidential Debate in Denver

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2149: Losing Votes with the Double Index Finger Point - a Faux Pas Nearly Every Time

Nonverbal Analysis # 813: Ask Osama Bin Laden about Appeasement

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2048: The Arm Grip, Shoulder Touch and Back TouchNicolas Sarkozy and François Hollande

This image of Nicolas Sarkozy and François Hollande was taken one week before Hollande assumed office (15 May 2012). Two days earlier, Sarkozy had lost to Hollande in the 2012 French Presidential election. Although in some contexts this can be a sign of affection - in this setting Sarkozy's grip on the President-Elect's arm is a classic body language signal of the alpha-personality in a relative power position. Nicolas is still President and psyche doesn't want to relinquish power. Sarkozy will not repeat this nonverbal once Hollande takes office. 

This arm grip and similar body language gestures to the shoulder or back are patronizing and should be avoided in the business and professional setting. Virtually every president and CEO displays this to their subordinates though. Everyone is hyper-aware of the pecking order and who can fire or reprimand who, and yet far too many "leaders" still feels the need to commit this nonverbal faux pas. The betas know who are the alphas - they don't need reminding. What's really going on here is the alpha is affirming to himself that he is in the power position. It is also seen more commonly when in narcissists, people who are unaware of interpersonal space or those who are over-compensating for other emotions. If the "gripper" is a male and the "grippee" is a female, the arm/shoulder grip & back touch carries a greater level of condescension and is often interpreted by the woman as a sexual advance.

See also:

Analysis # 554: Ron Paul's Palms Down Faux Pas

Analysis # 1705: François Hollande & the French Presidential Election - The Pistol Steeple and Emotional Dissonace

Analysis # 1871: Barack Obama Explains His "Private Sector is Doing Fine" Comment - The "Dominant Spider" vs. The "Split-Finger Fastball"

Analysis # 1899: Bill Cassidy and "Obama-care" - Letting your Body Language Detract from your Message

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1891: Obama Responds to Romney Criticisms at G-20

In this video, President Barack Obama responds to a question regarding criticism by Mitt Romney. Barack Obama, in general, has good nonverbal skills - particularly when it comes to his hands. Note during the 0:19 - 0:24 segment, when the former Illinois Senator interlaces his fingers, leans towards (a' la male-schoolmarm) the person who presumably asked the question, with a bilateral eyebrow flash, then a (right) unilateral raised eyebrow with right-sided forehead contraction (incredulity) and then slightly (passively) closes his eyelids. This body language cluster is highly consistent with patronizing and condescending emotions directed towards Mitt Romney - for whom the questioner is a momentary surrogate.

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Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1503: The Conventional Steeple vs. The Basketball Steeple - Seeking a Balance

Bill Burton, senior strategist for the super PAC, Priorities USA, is seen here in an interview discussing big oil money, Mitt Romney and Barack Obama. At various times during this video, Mr. Burton uses both the conventional high steeple as well as the basketball steeple. 

The conventional steeple should be used very sparingly. For while it is true, that it can transmit emotions of confidence - it should only be displayed for a second or two. As deliberately as a surgeon wields a scalpel ... or a laser - this steeple variation should "dance" in unison with a particular word or phrase - not held there for long periods of time and/or dialog as if they were Super Man posing with his fists-closed, arms akimbo. Many use this nonverbal, without realizing it, as if they are using a wall brush to paint a fine portrait (e.g. Angela Merkel uses it excessively). It's wields sloppy results. It may make the SPEAKER feel like he's powerful, but a rapport builder it's not. It alienates much more often than it projects confidence. The conventional steeple is almost always overused and gives strong signals of arrogance and condescension. A few seconds too much at the wrong time and it will backfire. This is particularly true if the higher-held conventional steeple is used, but it's also true for lower-held positions. If you're TRULY in a position of power, confidence or leadership - this "body language version of wearing a muscle shirt" isn't needed.  This is much more than a metaphor though, for people who over-use the conventional steeple tend to also have strong narcissistic qualities.

A variation of the steeple that doesn't resemble it's over-alpha cousin, is known as the "Basketball Steeple". This is where the hands and fingers are held apart, fingers slightly curved, about the width of a basketball. Mr. Burton also displays this variety of the steeple in the video. This body language gesture sends signals and engenders feelings of confidence without arrogance - a combination of emotions that is far too rare.

See also: Secret # 375: Signals of Confidence, Non-Engagement and Defeat

See also: Secret # 493: Contrasting David Cameron and Nicholas Sarkozy - Alpha & Beta Behavior

See also: Secret # 901: The Over-used Steeple - Backfire in Berlin

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Negotiation Body Language Secret # 901: The Over-used Steeple - Backfire in Berlin

Many politicians over-use the nonverbal gesture known as the steeple, and German Chancellor, Angela Merkel is probably the most guilty of this body language faux pas. There are several variations of it - and here we see Ms. Merkel demonstrating what is referred to as a "Low Steeple". When used very briefly in selected contexts, it can project confidence, assertiveness and leadership. But it very often it is used too much, on virtually every occasion, in dumbed-down, shot gun approach ..... and subsequently it backfires. Sadly, this is what Angela Merkel's advisers have told her to do - to use this signal often - and it has become a self-satire. She is lampooning herself. When held higher, say in front of the mid or upper chest, the conventional steeple has even more potency (a "High Steeple"). But it doesn't take much use to over-steeple - and thus send signals of arrogance and condescension. These are two of the last emotions a leader should ever want to project. A little bit of knowledge is dangerous and herein is another great example. Despite the fact that Angela Merkel is a head-of-state and highly educated she's sending messages she doesn't know she's sending.

When one area of the body adopts a pose - other parts of the face or body will tend to match it. Thus although this is obviously a posed photo, Angela's mid-face and mouth are tightened slightly - consistent with the negative emotional tone of mild anger and perhaps a touch of contempt. If Ms. Merkel would change her hand position and adopt a friendlier pose, her face would soon follow suite and morph into a more pleasant expression. The emotional signals of the hands are strongly linked to the face. Using this cross-referencing technique is a valuable aide when assessing others' nonverbal signs.

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Negotiation Body Language Secret # 457: A Contempt Amplifier

Salman Rushdie is displaying classic contempt in this photo with this asymmetrical "pseudo-smile" - note how the left corner of his mouth is elevated. The left nasal-labial furrow (the crease which runs from the side of the lower nose past the sides of the mouth) is deeply indented along with the concomitant bulging (contraction) of the cheek. This is also accompanied by a dilation of his left nostril. Collectively this is classic nonverbal cluster for the emotion of contempt.

The primary take home point here is in reference to Mr. Rushdie's eyes - Salman's upper eyelids are very "droopy". The medical term for this is "ptosis". They have been this way for at least 25 plus years and so for him this is probably congenital issue. Congenital ptosis is a relatively rare problem - however in most scenarios we wouldn't necessarily be knowledgeable about someone's medical history. Unfortunately this bilateral lid position accentuates the emotional signal of contempt. The vast majority of the time when you observe a partial (or complete) prolonged lid closure - aka "Slow Motion Blink" it's a strong signal of arrogance/condescension/contempt. 

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