Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1459: Geithner Gets His Alpha On

When a guy adjusts his cuffs or straightens his watch, it is the male analog of the more feminine nonverbal of the "Hair Adjust Behind the Ear" (HABE). Timothy Geithner, the U.S. Secretary of Treasury, is certainly an alpha male - but from time to time, even alphas need to dial it up a notch. The cuff or watch adjust is a body language signal showing that, in the moment, the psyche is attempting to be more assertive. The emotional tone is one of "assertive-anxiety".  Of course, the shirt cuff and a watch occasionally need adjusting, but the vast majority of time when men perform these gestures - they feel the need to be a less beta and a little more alpha. Certainly beta males will exhibit this and other "up-shifting" nonverbal behaviors more than alphas. It's not a measure of the person's overall personality, rather what the emotional brain is feeling in that moment.

See also: Secret # 1411: Dialing Up Her Alpha - Dana Perino

See also: Secret # 1209: Even Putin Has Anxiety - False Tie Adjust

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Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1411: Dialing Up Her Alpha - Dana Perino

Former White House Press Secretary, Dana Perino is shown in this image displaying a specific MAP sub-type. The term "MAP" is an acronym for the body language synonyms, "Manipulators, Adaptors or Pacifiers". A MAP is nonverbal lingo for self-touching - and although their are exceptions, most MAPs indicate increased levels of anxiety. This "Hair Adjust Behind the Ear" (HABE) is no exception.

The hair-adjust-behind-the-ear is seen almost exclusively with women and gay men although straight men will occasionally display it (The HABE has several stereotypical male analogs - can you name any?). Specifically, when you see the HABE maneuver, the subconscious is calling on the psyche to "dial-up" the Alpha personality qualities (e.g. Less Beta and more Alpha).

Of course, sometimes one's hair needs to be adjusted and kept out of one's face - particularly long hair. Dana doesn't have long hair though - and the most of the time, even those with long hair who display this nonverbal, have momentary emotional tones consistent with the "dialing-up my alpha" need. Take mental notes of when you see this gesture - it will surprise you. It's as if the emotional mind is trying to be more assertive, and yet trying to stay composed. The HABE doesn't indicate that the person as a whole lacks confidence - it speaks only to one of the emotions being experienced at that moment.

A very consistent and valuable negotiation signal - the HABE is telling you another person perceives herself (at least momentarily) at a disadvantage, less confident, and a bit out of their element. 

Although MAPs do not indicate deception directly, it's well established that their frequency increases at times of deception - especially hand-to-face MAPs. Never self-touch, particularly your head and especially your face when speaking. While no one watching may have body language training or knowledge, audience members (even an audience of one) will perceive a speaker as less credible and/or less confident when they commit MAPs. Many are simply left with the feeling that "something doesn't feel right".

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What do you think former White House Press SecretaryDana Perino feeling?

If your employee or co-worker looked like this when you were speaking with them, what should you do?

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