Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3847: Stephen Miller (Senior Advisor to Donald Trump) - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Stephen Miller, a senior advisor to President Trump, has just made the rounds on the Sunday morning talk shows.

Some have commented that they find Mr. Miller "creepy". Why does he elicit these feelings? One reason for this, is that his voice is rather monotone (a property engendered by his reading from a teleprompter). Such lack of vocal variety feels very mechanical and is off-putting.

Another reason for this "creepiness factor" is that Stephen Miller's face is relatively hypo-expressive. Said another way - his face does not move very much when compared with how most other people would express themselves in a similar emotional context.

The most dramatic reason for Mr. Miller's threatening facial expression is his droopy eyelids. The medical term for this is ptosis. And although the cause of his ptosis is unclear, there's a high likelihood it's congenital.

Bilateral ptosis, such as Miller exhibits here, will act as an amplifier for the emotions of contempt, disgust and anger (Disgust is being expressed in the image below). Indeed, even without the presence of other nonverbal signals - bilateral droopy eyelids will project motives of secrecy and elicit distrust in others. It's not surprising that actors with bilateral ptosis will be typecast as antagonists with nefarious motives.

Congenital ptosis is amenable to surgical correction.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3846: Donald Trump, Shinzō Abe and Handshake Faux Pas

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3843: 84 Lumber Super Bowl Ad - "The Entire Journey"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3841: Tom Brady's and Roger Goodell's Handshake after Super Bowl LI

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3833: Samuel L. Jackson, Magic Johnson and a Yacht

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3805: Mariah Carey's New Year's Eve Lip Sync Fail On Live TV

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3767: Joseph Gordon-Levitt on playing Edward Snowden - but How Do Tom Hanks and Gemma Arterton feel?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3717: Creepy Clowns, Body Language and Emotional Intelligence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3656: Usain Bolt, Justin Gatlin and the 100 M Olympic Final


_____________________________________________________________________________________

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3749: Election Day - Donald Trump Caught on Camera - Making Sure Melania is Voting For Him - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Earlier today Donald Trump was caught on camera spying on Melania as they both were voting in Manhattan.

Note that Trump's eyelids are partially (mostly) closed with his head and neck simultaneously tilting backward (0:31 - 0:32). This demonstrates an attempt to act in a clandestine manner.

Intriguingly, a split second later also pulls back further - as his head-neck-torso repels away from his wife - indicating either that he (of course) doesn't want to be caught - but also telegraphing (to those who are looking) that he does not like what he's seeing.

A second later (0:33) as Melania looks over at him, Trump's upper body quickly moves back in her direction as he displays a "Rationalization Rapport Empathy Expression" (aka R2E2). In this context an R2E2 is strongly suggestive of an attempt to cover for deception and clandestine behavior.

If we rewind back two - three seconds (0:30 - 0:31) we see Donald Trump's first attempt at stealth. Here there's another nonverbal clue - his prolonged lateral thrusting of his jaw (here to his right). Clustered with his coexistent secret glancing, this lateral jaw movement is profound signal of low confidence and distrust.

Take Home Point: Donald Trump distrusts Melania and has diminished confidence she will vote for him.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3748: Donald Trump, Bill Belichick and Exaggerated Mouth Movements

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3746: Alicia Keys, Questlove, Krispy Kremes and Connecting the Dots

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3744: Donald Trump - "Stay on Point", Hats, Eye Contact and Trust

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3742: Evan McMullin, Donald Trump and Winning Utah

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3220: Charleston, South Carolina Shooter Dylann Roof - Social Media, Public Persona and Predicting Violent Behavior

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3060: Bradley Cooper, Air Guitar, Neil Young & the R2E2 Expression 

Negotiation Body Language Secret No. 343: Nicolas Sarkozy's Clandestine Thumbs Up - an Emblematic Slip

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3392: Donald Trump to Republican Jewish Coalition

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3661: Donald Trump, Distrust, Destroying Rapport and the African-American Voter - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

A fundamental truth of nonverbal communication is that if you want to build rapport and gain trust, quality eye contact is of profound importance. The more people cover their eyes, the more rapport is destroyed established and the greater distrust we will have in them.

Yesterday in Dimondale, Michigan appealing directly to the African-American electorate, Donald Trump repeatedly asked, "What do you have to lose?" and went on to say, "You’re living in poverty, your schools are no good, you have no jobs, 58 percent of your youth is unemployed. What the hell do you have to lose?"

Donald Trump wore one of his "Make America Great Again" baseball-styled hats during the event. Of course he's worn these hats before, although most of the time it's been outside with much better natural light. His speech yesterday took place indoors and the lighting was poor. Thus Mr. Trump's forehead was completely covered and his eyes were very minimally visible - particularly to the camera.

Given Mr. Trump's experience on television, he seems less likely to have committed such a mistake. His communication director should have also been acutely aware of the fact that the inability to see his eyes will cost him votes.

Watch some of this video with the sound muted. How does your inability to see his eyes make you feel?

When a person's eyes are covered, it facilitates their ability to successfully tell a lie. Poker players will wear hats (and sunglasses and hoodies) to cover their face. Such practice largely prevents their competitors from reading their emotions. In card contests deception is part of the game. The rules allow for the covering the face.

Yet when a candidate is running for office, their face and feelings should be readily accessible. At no time should their eyes be obscured. This is also true for all business and the majority of social interactions. The tendency for a person to want to cover up their eyes out of context should send up red flags. Don't dismiss it. Rather ask yourself, "What are they hiding?"

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3660: Trump Attorney Michael Cohen's Awkward Exchange with Brianna Keilar, "Says Who?"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3658: Usain Bolt's "Cheeky Smile"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3652: Simone Manuel & Penny Oleksiak Win Olympic Gold

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3650: Donald Trump: "Although the Second Amendment people maybe there is, I dunno"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3638: Hillary Clinton's DNC Speech - and One Expression Which Profoundly Lowers Her Likability

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3408: Daisy Ridley, John Boyega and Star Wars

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3381: Ariana Grande, Flirtatious Body Language and the American Music Awards

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3568: Hillary Clinton, (Low) Likability, Rapport (Destroying) and Body Language


_________________________________________________________________________________________

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3335: The Presidential Race, Electability, Facial Hair and Ben Carson (PHOTOS)

The fact that Ben Carson has facial hair places him at a steep disadvantage for winning the Republican nomination or the White House. Although some may call it purely statistical - the correlation of the presence of facial hair to a lower electability is not to be ignored.

Moreover, the higher the political office, the less likely it is that a man will win the seat if he has facial hair. The incidence of facial hair World-wide is 50%. In the United States, Europe, Canada and Pacific Rim Countries it's 33% (with some regional variability).

Incredibly, the last U.S. President to be elected with any facial hair was William Taft in 1908 - 107 years ago.

Of the male U.S. Senators, house members and governors, typically only between 1 and 11% of them will have facial hair. Within this population - the Senators have the least - and the House Members are closure to 11% with the male governors intermediate. This is even true with city council and school board elections - although the phenomenon is not as strong when the political office is lower on the food chain.

There's something hard-wired into the human brain (a fact every neurosurgeon should know) when it comes to facial hair, likability and trust. Human children (who are preverbal) will strongly prefer men without facial hair. This is true even when viewing both images of their own fathers (despite having become accustomed to them with facial hair).

Although there is, of course, a waxing and waning of facial hair styles/trends throughout the decades - as well as some occupational exceptions to this rule (e.g. college professors, baseball pitchers and many other athletes' roles [but not all, e.g. - golf]) - this correlation of low trust with facial hair is dramatic and should not be ignored. Arrest photos of men have a significantly higher incidence of facial hair - and in the courtroom there is notably higher rate of guilty verdicts.

Dr. Carson - if you want to win, shave. Shave now.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3334: Kevin McCarthy, Judy McCarthy and the Representative's Decision to Withdraw from Pursuing the Position as Speaker of the House

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3332: Ben Carson's New Book Cover is a Rapport Destroyer

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3283: Trivago Guy - It's Not His Wardrobe or Haircut - It's the Body Language Stupid!

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3275: Carly Fiorina, The Republican Debate and Likability (or not)

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3207: Vladimir Putin, Pope Francis and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3241: Trump - a Hyper-Alpha Donald vs. a Kinder, Gentler Version - Body Language and Likability 

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2930: Rand Paul and "Likability" - Building vs. Destroying It 

___________________________________________________________________________________

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2738: LeBron James - Black Mask vs. Clear Mask, Body Language of Trust (PHOTOS)

LeBron James recently broke his nose and like all NBA players, he is wearing a protective face mask to protect it while it is healing. In the image above, he is pictured in the black mask which he wore in last night's game. Today the league formally asked him to switch to clear mask, and although he was not violating a rule, the Miami Heat star complied.

The less we see of a person, the less we trust them. This body language principle is particularly true when the face is covered. Depending on the other nonverbals with which it is clustered, it can also evoke fear. His appearance has evoked comparisons to Hannibal Lecter. And despite the fast pace of NBA play, the inability of the opposing players to see even subtle facial expressions gives him an unfair advantage (ergo comparisons to Kato and Batman) - although this is offset somewhat by his own teammates' diminished ability to see the same facial cues.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2284:  LeBron James in The White House -  A Fundamental Body Language Mistake

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1898:  Heat, Hugs & Head Surrogates

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2380:  Johnny Depp, The Lone Ranger & David Letterman  Tonto's Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2569: Hillary Clinton, Visibility, Trust and a Harbinger of 2016

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2591: Chris Christie on Romney's Campaign Vetting Leak, Body Language Tells 

Communication Analysis No. 2606: Brett Farve Displays Body Language of Fear about any Son Playing Football

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

_________________________________________________________________________________

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 913: Low Confidence, Low Trust and Demure

When hands are placed in the front pockets, particularly when the thumb is included, it sends signals of low confidence and non-engagement. As with all nonverbals, this effect is amplified when standing in front of an audience. Mitt Romney (shown here with South Carolina Governor, Nikki Haley) is surely not the only political candidate who has a problem with putting his hands in his front pockets though. Unfortunately many people have this habit - and it is certainly NOT a nonverbal sign consistent with leadership . It does not engender trust in others, and indeed it often creates feelings of distrust. Even in the best possible context, the pocketed hand is a very BETA and a very demure Body Language signal.  The former Massachusetts Governor commits this nonverbal political mistake often - even during debates. Intriguingly, placing or keeping hands in the pockets will interfere with one's ability to formulate quick answers and speak fluidly. Without a doubt, we don't want our leaders displaying this configuration. Mitt needs votes. Mitt needs delegates. Mitt needs to show us his hands.

___________________________________________________________________________________