Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3318: Barack Obama and Pope Francis - Body Language Tells (PHOTOS)

Pope Francis arrived at Andrews Air Force Base (Joint Base Andrews) today - flying directly from Havana, Cuba. In this image he is shown in the company of the President, the First Lady, several Cardinals and many others - all meeting on the Tarmac.

Barack Obama is configured in a "Fig Leaf" position - which also known as "Genital Guarding". It's rare to find an image of Mr. Obama - or any previous President - republican or democrat - in this particular body language display outside the setting of a Papal visit .... or a few other notable occasions including funerals, weddings, at the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier, ceremonies for the receiving of remains of fallen members of the military, meetings with other high-ranking religious figures - and when previous presidents are standing next to a current president during speeches, ceremonies, etc.

The fig leaf is an example of beta body language. Here in this context it's a display of deferential behavior and shows respect for Francis. In settings other than this or those others listed above, it would signal low confidence, weakness, the need for emotional protection or even physical protection and/or the acquiescence to another person or group - and would be read as such by most others. Outside of these specific scenarios, it's a nonverbal display that a head-of-state should never adopt.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3317: Scott Walker Drops Out of Presidential Race - A Classic Body Language Tell

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3257: Donald Trump at the Texas-Mexico Border - Body Language of a Hyper-Alpha 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3154: Marco Rubio's Body Language Tell 

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3274: Chris Christie, Rand Paul, The Republican Debate and National Security

Dating & Romance Nonverbal Communication Secret No. 1010:  Rashida Jones - What Makes the Twinkle in Her Eye?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2745: Vladimir Putin Deception regarding Crimea

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2924: Michael Brown, Captain Ron Johnson, Church Rally and Ferguson, Missouri - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Ron Johnson, a Captain in the Missouri State Highway Patrol gave a very moving speech yesterday at a Rally in Ferguson, Missouri for the people of that town - and of course in the memory of Michael Brown. It was a very moving speech. Captain Johnson's empathy and sincerity quotients are extremely high. He is a both a natural leader and fantastic speaker - two qualities that few elected leaders ever achieve. 

Most of the time, the hands clasped in front of the body is not recommended - particularly for those in such a high-alpha/leadership position. Had Captain Johnson been giving a different speech in a different setting, it is very probable he would not have had his hands configured in such a manner. However in the context of a memorial service (even though he is not clergy) his clasping hands is variation of a prayer and more specifically shows deferential behavior and respect to Michael Brown, his family and those attending this Church rally.

Pointing to Michael Brown's family members with a palm-up, flexed elbow, fingers slightly apart - is rarely seen - yet by far the best way Johnson, or anyone in his position should point at an audience. Anything else would be too alpha and offensive. By pointing in this manner, he both engenders and shows respect -  as well as builds rapport.

This is the only negative critique on Captain Johnson for this speech - he was pointing slightly out towards the audience (and only partially down) with his index finger when he should have (and had probably meant to) point directly downward instead.

Again, while index finger pointing towards the audience is almost never recommended, one can point to oneself - as long as it is not done in arrogance. Here he was holding himself up to a higher standard - thus a humbling gesture.

Here Johnson points to the side - where there is no audience - when he references his son. Again - not pointing at the audience is nonverbally very wise. 

Here Captain Johnson displays a "Loose fist, thumb up" illustrator. This nonverbal is used instead of pointing toward the audience. It displays some alpha characteristics without being too much so - thus an alpha-beta hybrid.

Most "leaders" are often too aggressive in both their verbal language and their body language - when moderation, humility and empathy are called for. An alpha-beta hybrid (of which this is but one type) helps to maintain these assertive, alpha and leadership qualities without being arrogant, patronizing or condescending.

One last place that is acceptable to point - skyward. This nonverbal illustrator of course must also be made in with verbally congruency. 










See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2923: Barack Obama, Jaw Clenching and Diffusing Anger - Body Language as a Form of Biofeedback

Nonverbal Communication Analysis #2160:  Index Finger (Forefinger) Pointing in Politics - The Third (and Final) 2012 Presidential Debates - Body Language of Being an Alpha Male without Offending

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2668: Ryan Seacrest - Less Offensive Variations on Pointing - Body Language Nuance

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1233:  Putin's Pointing Pen

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2605: President Obama and Health Insurance Cancellation Fix - and an Alpha-Beta Hybrid Body Language Illustrator

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2710: Microsoft's New CEO Sayta Nadella's Body Language vs. Bill Gates

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2890: Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Michael Collins and Barack Obama - Alpha and Beta (PHOTOS)

Tomorrow is the 45th Anniversary of the first manned Moon landing. In this picture taken five years ago Apollo 11's crew from left to right is Buzz Aldrin (the second man to walk on the Moon), Michael Collins (who orbited the Moon in the command module while his fellow explorers were on the moon's surface), Neil Armstrong (the first man to walk on the Moon) are standing next to Barack Obama (the 44th President of the United States). Cut off in this image is the very bottom of a portrait of George Washington.

Note the position of each man's hands. From a body language perspective, the two men who walked on the moon - Neil and Buzz - show the highest level of confidence with their hands at their sides (most alpha). Michael Collins who did not walk on the moon has his left hand in his pocket - projecting a bit less confidence. President Obama who was just shy of eight years old when this historic event occurred is humbled to be in the presence of men who just aren't famous - but historic. Thus Mr. Obama has his hands configured in what is known as a "fig-leaf" or "genital guarding". Here this beta nonverbal signal is in deference to the living legends who are in his company.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1563:  Geithner and Holder  In Deference to the President -  One Occasion to Use the Fig Leaf

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2313: Elisa Lam Video in Elevator at Cecil Hotel - What Her Body Language Tells Us

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2633: Abigail Hernandez, Missing N.H. 15 year old, Body Language Clues

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2829: Respect, Funerals, Memorials and Alpha vs. Beta - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2843: Barack Obama & Vladimir Putin in Normandy - Body Language Tells 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2801: Adam Silver Bans Donald Sterling for Life - Alpha Body Language Tell

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2061:  David Cameron Defends London Olympics against  Mitt Romney's Remarks -  Alpha Dominance and Illustrators -  Matching Hands and Feet as Sincerity Amplifiers

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