Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3752: Barack Obama's and Donald Trump's Handshake - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Yesterday the President met with the President-Elect at the White House. Barack Obama and Donald Trump met for about 90 minutes and afterward they each made brief statements.

From a body language point-of-view, their handshake was particularly interesting.

Barack Obama initiates the Handshake - which is almost always wisest in terms of projecting dominance and authority.

The handshake lasted for about 2.2 seconds.

The second image (immediately above) was captured from a slightly different angle, while the other four still images here were screen-grabs from the video included at the top of this post.

Mr. Trump rapidly adopts a rather strong expression of regret. He also lacks any eye contact with President Obama during the handshake.

In this second image, the President begins to disengage from the handshake and look away responding to the reporters. At this time Barack Obama also manifests an expression of regret - although it's quite subtle. Trump's regret continues to be strongly manifested as he looks up - yet he's still not making eye contact with the President - rather he's focusing in the distant, looking past Obama.

If Trump wanted to project leadership, strength, to build rapport - or even if he were trying to intimidate Obama - he should have made eye contact. It's utterly dumbfounding just how often, otherwise very worldly and educated people (and "leaders") don't practice good eye contact (especially during handshakes).

After the handshake is complete, Trump's regret expression is maintained as the President responds to reporters.

Mr. Trump's arms and hands then adopt a (low) pseudo-prayer configuration (as he repeatedly separates his fingers and brings them back together). This is a beta body language configuration and is indicative of considerable anxiety.

President Obama's posture - with his thighs at a significantly greater angle, with his palm-down on his thigh and his forward torso lean and tilt - is a nonverbal cluster indicating alpha status, high confidence and emotional comfort.

Conclusion: Both the President and the President-Elect expressed regret during their handshake yesterday at the White House - although Mr. Trump's level of regret was much greater. In addition, Donald Trump exhibited significant anxiety and relatively low emotional comfort - while Barack Obama projected high confidence and greater emotional comfort. This is one of the few times you'll see Mr. Trump assuming a relative beta status to anyone in his close proximity.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3751: Barack Obama and Donald Trump Meet at the White House

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3749: Election Day - Donald Trump Caught on Camera - Making Sure Melania is Voting For Him

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3720: The 2nd Presidential Debate - Donald Trump v. Hillary Clinton

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3705: Hillary Clinton v. Donald Trump Presidential Debate - Trump: I'm 'smart' for paying no taxes

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3672: Jessica Alba, Swass, Body Language and Emotional Intelligence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3636: Donald Trump, Hillary's Emails, Putin and Russia

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3610: Star Swain sings The Star-Spangled Banner at the Lincoln Memorial - Why Do Singers Close Their Eyes?

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3611: Salma Hayek, Danny Trejo and a Tattoo - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Salma Hayek sure can tell a story. The one she tells here is hilarious and very much worth the watch. The skilled actress also demonstrates many body language tells - one of which is delineated below.

Notice Ms. Hayek is sitting on her left leg with her left foot all the way up on the coach. This is a signal of significant emotional comfort. Despite her being on The Graham Norton Show with a such a dynamic host and other guests - she is very much at ease during this story.

This is yet another example of the nonverbal communication axiom, that in order for a configuration of the body to be PHYSICALLY comfortable - it must FIRST be EMOTIONALLY comfortable.

Another valuable take-home point here is suppose, that if upon being asked a question or a subject being raised, a person moved out of this comfortable leg configuration and placed both feet flat on the floor - you would know that the issue being raised or question being asked had struck a nerve of anxiety. In such a scenario, this leg position change would often be accompanied by a subtle fear expression on the face (e.g., slightly wider eyelid opening, an inward lip roll, etc.) and/or one hand scratching or holding the opposite arm or back of the head.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3610: Star Swain sings The Star-Spangled Banner at the Lincoln Memorial - Why Do Singers Close Their Eyes?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3608: Attorney General Loretta Lynch on Meeting with Bill Clinton

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3604: Nigel Farage, Jean-Claude Juncker, The Brexit and "Why Are You Here?"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3590: Pam Bondi (Florida's Attorney General), Anderson Cooper and LGBT support

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3578: Megan Fox, Body Language and Dismissive Emotions

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3570: Donald Trump's Duplicitous Thumb

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3538: Barack Obama, David Cameron, Number 10, Brexit and Body Language 

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


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3421: Jennifer Lawrence, Eddie Redmayne and Emotional Comfort - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Along with Jennifer Lawrence, Eddie Redmayne was a guest recently on The Graham Norton Show.
Redmayne was promoting his current film, The Danish Girl and Lawrence was pushing her movie, Joy.

Lawrence sat between Norton and Redmayne - so it was natural for Eddie to turn to his right. From a body language perspective, it's interesting to note that Redmayne sat with his right leg/ankle beneath his left leg/knee.

This particular body language configuration (captured in the image below) is significant for higher levels of emotional comfort. Statistically, it's seen commonly in women and GBT men - yet plenty of straight men sit in this fashion too. With men, it's also more commonly seen in Europe vs. North America.

If questioned, a person who's sitting in this manner will say, "It's comfortable". And yet it's only physically comfortable if it's first an emotionally comfortable setting for that individual. Despite the fact he's on a major talk show, Redmayne is at ease. If a person who is sitting like this is asked a question which makes them nervous - they will immediately change to a lower-comfort, heightened-anxiety position. 

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3420: Bill Cosby's Mug Shot - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2963: Barack Obama at the United Nations General Assembly regarding ISIS/ISIL, 24 September 2014 - Body Language Faux Pas

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3414: Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth and Affection

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3364: Jennifer Lawrence accidentally kisses Natalie Dormer on the Mouth

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3242: Jennifer Lawrence, Singing Cher, Liam Hemsworth and Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3261: The Killing of Cecil the Lion, Walter Palmer and a Sociopath's Smile 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3294: Ana Ivanovic, Lip Biting and the U.S. Open

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3258: Hillary Clinton speaks out on "inaccuracies" of private email controversy

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3303: Gorilla watching pics of other gorillas on Man's Phone at Zoo - Body Orientation, Personal Space and Emotional Comfort (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

This is a very intriguing and entertaining video uploaded to YouTube two days ago. In it we can see a man at the Louisville Zoo showing pictures of other gorillas to a live gorilla (Jelani). It would have been better, of course, to have seen the initial encounter between man and ape and how it progressed. And although this is a cross-species interaction, we can certainly glean some valuable nonverbal lessons very applicable in human-to-human communication.

Initially (at least with respect to this edited video) Jelani keeps his body oriented roughly perpendicular to the man showing him the pics.

If we had been there and seen this encounter a few moments earlier, their faces, torsos, hips and probably even their feet - would have most likely been more parallel (pointing more directly at each other - roughly mirror images).

As the Jelani's emotional comfort increases, he orients his body in a more relaxed manner - getting closer (further into the man's personals space [intimate space] and oriented perpendicular to the man).

As his emotional comfort increase still further, Jelani leans his torso as well as his head-neck unit towards the man. The man of course is doing the same thing - they are mirroring each other. Again, who initiated this? - It would be valuable to know. With respect to human behavior, this touching of the heads and shoulders (of course this is not quite occurring here because of the thick glass) during similar moments will amplify any rapport already established (thus it's one example of what is known as a "Rapport Amplifier").

It's of profound importance that at least some modestly significant level of rapport must have existed prior to this moment - otherwise if one person attempts such nonverbal behavior it will be interpreted as a form of aggression or at the very least "false intimacy" (asymmetrical intimacy) by most everyone (and certainly animals).

Head-neck tilting (particularly toward each other during a shared experience) indicates a level of friendly, emotional-vulnerability (e.g., "I'm don't feel threatened by you.", "I trust you", "I feel comfortable with you", "I'm letting you into my world."). And while the thick glass certainly facilitates feelings of safety and protection for both primates, such head-neck tilting towards another never occurs when a person/animal feels threatened.

If you watch Jelani's left hand/arm, he appears to gesture several times. Some people have interpreted this movement (including a woman heard describing this to another onlooker) as a signal for the man to advance to the next photo. This may indeed be true, however we would need to see a longer duration sample (with a better view) as well as other examples of Jelani's behavior to be sure.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3302: Hillary Clinton, the Recent MSNBC Interview, Low Likability and Diminished Trustworthiness

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3159: "When a Silverback attacks" - Gorillas, Cross-species Body Language, False Distancing, Fear and Surprise

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3245: Gov. Scott Walker Jumps into the 2016 Presidential Race - Body Language Amplifiers and Misdirection 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2341:  Angela Bassett Interview -  Rationalization Rapport Empathy Expression  R2E2, Body Language & "Olympus has Fallen"

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2508: Anne Frank, Sincere Smiles and Emotional Comfort 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2276:  Michelle Obama's Eye Roll .... What was she thinking? and  What Did Boehner's & Barack's Body Language Say? 

 
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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3017: Narendra Modi, Tony Abbott and Hugs at the G20 (PHOTOS)

Here we see Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Tony Abbott hugging last week at the G20. In three photos taken from different angles in rapid sequence we can dissect the relative thought-feelings of each man during this hug/Abrazo.

In the top two images Modi's hand is cupped - preventing full palmar contact with the Australian's back - while Abbott's palm makes full contact. Abbott's hand also contacts for a longer duration.

Modi' is also "leaning into" the hug more while Abbott is standing with straighter back.

Abbott's eyelids are closed for part of the hug, while Modi's eyelids remain open.

In the final image it can be seen that Modi's disengages from the embrace quicker with the beginnings of a turning away/rotation of his torso.

Thus while this hug is certainly not the same kind of embrace seen with greater levels of intimacy, and is not meant to suggest so (e.g., The handshake which initiated this greeting is maintained during the hug and therefore keeps a greater distance between them) - there is still disparity in the level of affection displayed here - which is profoundly valuable to recognize. Mr. Abbott's eyelid closure, standing straighter during the hug, hugging for longer duration and his full palmar contact - vs. a lack of all these shown by Mr. Modi - tells us that Mr. Abbott trusts Mr. Modi, is emotionally comfortable with him and is generally more open in the context of leadership - while Mr. Modi is relatively diminished in these feelings towards Mr. Abbott and/or Australia.

Of course their body language disparity could be due to Mr. Modi's relative lack of exposure on the World stage vs. Mr. Abbott who has been at the game a bit longer .... or it may be for other reasons. It is, however, NOT due to their cultural differences and it is also NOT because Mr. Abbott is trying hard to be a good host (the G20 was held in Brisbane, Australia). It will be interesting to see how the relationship between these two men and their countries changes during their administrations.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3016: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway and a Suppressed yet Sincere Smile

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3014: Vladimir Putin - Odd Man Out Down Under at the G20 Summit

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2511:  Barack Obama & Vladimir Putin  Handshake at 2013 G20 Meeting

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3012: Tony Abbott No Shirtfronts Vladimir Putin at APEC - (yet he buttons-up) - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2771: Australian PM Tony Abbott regarding Malaysian Airlines MH370 Search - Body Language Misinterpretations and Regret

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2260:  'Top Chef' host Padma Lakshmi regarding  New Delhi's recent gang-rape,  Indian Culture and Sexual-Physical Harassment - Body Language Nuance

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2980: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella at Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing Thinks Women Should Not Ask for Raises and should Trust in Karma 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3015: Jonathan Gruber on Obamacare - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Jonathan Gruber certainly has supplied a great deal of fodder for those who oppose Obamacare. It has recently come to public attention that, with respect to the passage of the Affordable Care Act, he's on record for saying, "... It's a very clever, you know, basic exploitation of the lack of economic understanding of the American voter ..." (Honors Colloquium 2012, University of Rhode Island) as well as, "... They proposed it and that passed, because the American people are too stupid to understand the difference ..." (Washington University, 2013) in addition to the similar and related quotes mentioned below.

Gruber is a MIT economist and "He was a key architect of both the 2006 Massachusetts health care reform, sometimes referred to as 'Romneycare', and the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, sometimes referred to as 'Obamacare' " (Wikipedia). For his work on Obamacare, Mr. Gruber was paid $400,000.

Intertwined fingers is one example of what is known in body language terminology as a Manipulator, Adaptor or Pacifier (MAP) - a variety of self-touching. When evaluating any nonverbal signal - it is profoundly important to never interpret them in isolation - look at the whole person. Many novices will tell you that intertwined fingers are a sign of significant stress and anxiety - which is certainly true sometimes - yet Mr. Gruber shows us an exception here when we take the time to look with a wider and more objective lens.

Note that Johnathan Gruber bends one of his wrists during each of these intertwined finger configurations isolated from the above video. This body language cluster is highly significant - for it tells us that he has a very high degree of emotional comfort with his statements - he may or may not be factually correct - but he absolutely believes what he is saying here (e.g. The stupidity of the American Voter, Lack of transparency is a huge political advantage, etc.).

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3014: Vladimir Putin - Odd Man Out Down Under at the G20 Summit

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2578: Obamacare Website Apology - Sincere vs. Insincere?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2604: Obamacare Girl "Adrianna" on GMA - Body Language Harbingers of ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2596: What Motivates Ted Cruz's Regarding Anti-Obamacare, Body Language Tells on Jay Leno

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2597: Chris Christie's Body Language Tell Regarding Obamacare

0:32

".... Lack of transparency is a huge political advantage ..."

0:37 - 0:38

"... call it the stupidity of the American Voter or whatever ..."

0:43

"... it's the second best argument ..."

0:46 - 0:48

 "... look I wish Mark was right, we could make it all transparent - but I'd rather have this law than not ..."

0:49 - 0:52

"... like his reporter story, yeah, ya know there's thing about it I wish I could change, but I'd rather have this law than not ..."








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

During a recent business leader's luncheon in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Texas Governor Rick Perry answered some questions - here one regarding his indictment on two felony charges of abuse of power.

His very thinned and horizontal configured lips along with a clenched jaw, wide opened eyelids and flared nostrils comprise a strong nonverbal cluster indicative of anger. 

His shrug is of course, a universal emblem indicating - either: "I don't know", "I don't care" or "What does it matter?". The interesting thing about this particular shrug is that Governor Perry is primarily a very alpha male, yet this is a very demure and beta shrug. Both upper arms and both forearms are held quite close to his torso - indicating low confidence and very low emotional comfort.


This is a body language configuration that any leader, male or female, should NEVER adopt - particularly a governor or presidential candidate. It projects weakness and anxiety. Given the context and the nature of the question he's answering, it also means Governor Perry's is sincerely worried about the felony charges. Knowing when and how to nuance alpha and beta body language is crucial in projecting strength and building rapport - just as learning to recognizing such nonverbals will allow you to peer into others' hearts and minds.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2946: Barack Obama's 10 September 2014 ISIS Speech - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2945: Roger Goodell's Interview regarding Ray Rice - Denies NFL saw Video before Monday

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2641: John McCain with Protesters in Kiev, Ukraine - You Feel Safe There?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2925: Governor Rick Perry's Mug Shot - What Emotions are Present? - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2583: German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle - Is Your Cell Phone Being Tapped?

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2769: Smiling Out of Context in a Mass Shooter - T.J. Lane's Body Language

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2877: Zac Efron and Michelle Rodriguez Dating - Thumbs Forward Arms Akimbo (PHOTOS)

Zac Efron and Michelle Rodriguez are seen here on a sail boat while vacationing off the coast of Sardinia, Italy. After several weeks of rumors, the Hollywood couple have confirmed they are dating.

In the image above, Efron is subconsciously showing us several distinct nonverbal signals. The most obvious one is his "Arms Akimbo" configuration - however he is displaying a variety less common in men - with his thumbs forward and fingers backward.

Thumbs forward arms akimbo signals some assertiveness - yet significantly less so compared to the more common fingers forward variation (thus not highly alpha and not highly beta - but what is known as an "alpha-beta hybrid"). It signifies an elevated level of emotional support for those in whom one's attention is directed - as well as that of a quizzical mindset. A person displaying a thumbs forward arms akimbo always has an elevated level of emotional comfort. Thus if you note a person changing from a thumbs forward to a fingers forward akimbo stance - this is a very reliable signifier that their emotional comfort has dropped (much like a deer raising its tail when it goes to a higher level of alertness). This significant (while subtle to some) shift in hand-arm position will be virtually always accompanied by elevated facial anxiety indicators (can you name some?).

From a body language nomenclature perspective, the thumbs forward arms akimbo is classified both a subtle "emblem" as well as a nonverbal "MAP" (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier).

What other nonverbal sexual attraction signals (and others) do you see in this image?

What additional beta signals? What alpha signs?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2876: President Obama on Key Bridge regarding John Boehner's Lawsuit - "So Sue Me"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2034:  Even Physicists have Body Language -  Beta behavior at Higgs Boson Conference

Dating & Romance Secret #227:  Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake - Are You Comfortable Around Your Ex?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2174:  President Obama, Hurricane Sandy,  Body Language and Thumbs Backwards Arms Akimbo

Negotiation Secret # 89:  Opposite Facing Arms Akimbo

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2749: President Obama, Ukraine's Interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk and an Alpha-Beta Hybrid - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2827: Caroline Wozniacki and Rory McIlroy - She was the Alpha, He was the Beta 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2821: Sara Bareilles, A Broken Wing, Emotional Comfort, and High Heels - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

This interview of the very talented Sara Bareilles just prior to the 2014 Grammy Awards contains a truckload of body language tells - a few of which are described below.

At 0:46 Chris Booker begins, "You don't seem nervous."

Bareilles answers, "I oddly enough don't feel nervous right now ...."

The "Broken Wing" of Bareilles' loose and flexed left wrist (0:49 - 0:50) indicates she is telling the truth about her lack of anxiety. The presence of this body language illustrator only occurs when a significant amount of emotional comfort is present. Although it is occasionally seen displayed by straight men - this nonverbal is much more common in women and gay men.

At 1:27 - 1:28, just after Booker says he has seen Sara perform at least 20 times, we see Ms. Bareilles scratch just to the right of her nose with her left hand. This MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) seen in this nonverbal-verbal cluster context is a clear signal that she does not believe Mr. Booker.

 

At 2:05, just after Sara says, "... Oh, it certainly does not feel like a night off, let me tell ya that - No. Not when anybody is saying that I should wear high heels. That is not a night off for Sara Bareilles [brief chuckle then tongue jut] ..."

The tongue jut can indicate several thought-emotions depending on the other nonverbals with which it is clustered. Here it indicates that Sara REALLY hates wearing high heels. It is identical to what the tongue does when an infant spits out her puréed carrots. In other nonverbal scenarios, what else may the tongue jut signal?

What does Sara's lip pout indicate at the 2:06 mark?









Many other nonverbals are present in this video. How many do you see?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2669: Sara Bareilles and the Body Language of the Rationalization Rapport Empathy Expression

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2493:  Jewel in Disguise at Karaoke Bar,  Body Language Cues to Lack of Nervousness

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2808: Andrew Garfield, The Spider Man Theme Song and Anxiety - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2665: Nick Saban's "Tongue in Cheek" Body Language - What Does It Mean?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2547: Amanda Knox's ex-Boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito, Piers Morgan Interview, Body Language Tells and Avoiding the Othello Error

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2690: Peyton Manning Explains the Meaning of "Omaha" Call - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2820: Yusuf Yerkel, Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Assault - Body Language

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2806: Russian "Separatists" in Ukraine - Body Language of ..... (PHOTO)

What does this man know that the Ukrainian Military has yet to realize?

Some may say this is body language of laziness - they would be wrong. In this context in particular it is a significant alpha display. This Russian "separatist" is inside a regional government building in the City of Donetsk, Ukraine. This nonverbal configuration is indicative of "ownership". It speaks to his confidence and emotional comfort and his anticipated success of Russia annexing eastern portions of Ukraine. It also tells us that there is no one who out-ranks him in the room.

What other key thought-feeling does his body language indicate?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2749: President Obama, Ukraine's Interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk and an Alpha-Beta Hybrid - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2742: Vladimir Putin on the Crisis Ukraine - Thin Slicing Levels of Anger - Body Language

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2727: "I am a Ukrainian" Video - Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2805: Amanda Knox, Meredith Kercher and the Othello Error - Body Language
 


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2710: Microsoft's New CEO Sayta Nadella's Body Language vs. Bill Gates (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Microsoft named Sayta Nadella as its new CEO today. In the video above, Bill Gates speaks of Nadella and gives a short monolog regarding Steve Balmer's replacement as well as his own increasing role in the company he co-founded with Paul Allen in 1975.

Bill Gates is both a technical and business genius. There are also few in the history of the planet who have been as philanthropic as has he and Melinda Gates. I would like to think that if I were in his shoes - I would be similarly as generous.

Mr. Gates needs some body language 101 remedial lessons though; for in this video he commits a common nonverbal faux pas of over-using a MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier). Most MAPs are indicative of beta emotional tones - primarily and specifically that of a low confidence level. This however is one exception. Bill clasps his hands 28 times in this short video. This particular nonverbal sends a patronizing signal. Moreover its extreme repetition along with his thin lipped "bitter smile" (one variety of a false smile) amplifies these condescending emotions (Be very careful of interpreting any nonverbal in isolation, for it nearly always lead to a body language misdiagnosis).

In contrast, Satya Nadella in the video below displayed a much lower frequency of MAPs. Keep in mind though that Gates had a distinct disadvantage in this comparison for he's giving a monolog, looking directly into the camera and is standing still - while Natella is walking, in a conversation (albeit rehearsed) and he is gets to (as expected) look at his interviewer most of the time.





In the isolated frame below, Sayta Nadella displays a "basketball steeple" (named so because it looks as if its user is holding and invisible one). This nonverbal is "not too beta" and "not too alpha" but just right - thus it is one example of a class of body language signals known as "alpha-beta hybrids". It signals strength yet open-mindedness and a willingness to be "gentle" without weakness.

Good luck Sayta Nadella.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2533: Angela Merkel's Low Steeple "Trademark" - A Major Body Language Mistake

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2698: Lupita Nyong'o on Jimmy Fallon - an Underused Body Language Display

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1083:  Brewer's MAPs Flag Foreboding

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2642: Tom Hanks Can't Act Away a Fib - His Body Language Tells a Little Lie

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2435: Amy Adams, Henry Cavill & Russell Crowe on Graham NortonFour Different Sitting Positions - Different Body Language Meanings (Video, Photos)

All starring in the new film, "Man of Steel", Henry Cavill, Amy Adams and Russell Crowe all recently appeared on The Graham Norton Show. In the video above and images below you will note there are four different sitting configurations.

Here the most recent rendition of Superman, Cavill sits with both feet planted on the floor with legs splayed - but not too widely. This is a masculine configuration - and yet not over compensating. If his legs were spread at a significantly wider angle, aka the "seated crotch display" - is a hyper-masculine/alpha display that often offends women and is off-putting in business settings and with dating.


Cavill is the least confident/emotionally comfortable of the four (what other nonverbals indicate this?)

Russell Crowe is sitting on one leg, with his right ankle completely beneath his left thigh. This configuration (or its mirror opposite) is predominately seen in women and gay men and is relatively uncommon to rare in straight men (Crowe is straight). If you were to ask anyone sitting in this manner why they are seated as such, they would say that they are comfortable - implying physically comfort. However people only display this body language when they are first emotionally comfortable. Indeed if a subject or situation arises which they don't like or causes even a minor decrease in emotional comfort - they will rapidly cease to sit this way.

Emotional comfort is a prerequisite to physical comfort. 

Amy Adams is shown in the seated body language configuration known as parallel legs (Pease). Men around the World universally find this particular leg orientation the most attractive as it increase the muscular tone and lends a more youthful appearance as well as subliminally signaling sexual readiness.



Graham Norton is sitting in a traditional "European Crossed-Leg Configuration". This is consistent with relatively high emotional comfort - which certainly makes sense since it is his show and his home turf.

Always be careful to avoid interpreting body language signals in isolation. Be vigilant to look for several nonverbals occurring simultaneously or nearly so - lest you will misdiagnose others' emotional states.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2352:  Mila Kunis' Tongue in Cheek  Graham Norton Part II

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2389:  Tom Cruise, Gerard Butler & Olga Kurylenko on The Graham Norton Show - Alpha Body Language Behavior - on The Phone and on the Couch

Leadership Body Language Secret # 103:  High Confidence vs. Low Confidence Stance - Who's Leading Who?

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 337:  Michele Bachmann's Low Confidence Stance

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2430:  Dolph Lundgren is an Alpha Male and  He Wants Everyone to Know It - Seated Crotch Display

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2330:  Body Language of Foot Placement on another Person's Chair

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2351: Mila Kunis on Graham Norton - Body Language, Sitting and being "Emotionally Comfortable" (VIDEO, PHOTO)

This is a hilarious video clip from Graham Norton's show from 3 March 2013. Mila Kunis is featured here promoting her recent film, "Oz the Great and Powerful". Judi Dench and Jude Law are also guests. It's also a segment that's packed full of great body language examples.

Everyone enjoys watching Mila because she's so sincere. In street lingo, people oft say, "she's real". They will also describe her as "very being comfortable in her own skin". We all gravitate to those who exude these characteristic - and nonverbal communication makes up a huge fraction of this intangible yet profoundly important quality.

Coexisting with anyone who displays such a high sincerity quotient as this Ukrainian native does - is emotional comfort. Note the manner in which Mila is sitting - one leg folded under the other, with her right calf and/or ankle beneath her left thigh. This configuration (or its mirror image) is a strong signal of emotional comfort. It's seen more commonly in women and gay/bisexual men - although straight men will display it as well. Despite the fact she's on T.V., Mila is very comfortable. If you ask people why they are sitting in this manner - they will in fact say "it's comfortable". They mean it's physically comfortable and indeed it is - but only with the prerequisite of emotional comfort. Without being at ease with the people around you and the entire situation, this body language will not be displayed. In fact when an awkward, embarrassing or confrontational change in the conversation occurs - along with other simultaneous facial and hand nonverbal changes, this sitting posture will immediately cease.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2325: Mila Kunis' interview with Chris Stark on BBC Radio 1 re: Oz the Great and Powerful -  Body Language, Sexual Attraction and Mirroring

Negotiation Body Language Secret No. 357:  Mila Kunis and Sergeant Scott Moore

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2330:  Body Language of Foot Placement on another Person's Chair

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2332:  Instinctive Body Language, Comforting an Infant & Empathy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2238:  Sandy Hook Elementary Teacher Lauren Rousseau's  Boyfriend's Body Language - Grief & Suppression of Negative Emotions & Empathy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2177: "I'm Tired of Bronco Bamma and Mitt Romney" -  We're all Abigael Evans  Dialing up her Alpha

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2281:  Inaugural Luncheon Anxiety  Barack Obama's Body Language  Michelle's Mirroring

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