Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3739: Hillary Clinton's Statement regarding FBI Probe - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Yesterday Hillary Clinton made a statement addressing FBI Director James Comey's recent decision to notify Congress regarding the bureau's review of emails which are potentially related to her personal server.

What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of Secretary Clinton during her statement and the subsequent Q &A.

When a person reads a speech, prepared remarks, a script, etc., - they tend to be of lower confidence and of lower emotional comfort. This behavior is very common (even with experienced speakers) and is particularly true when the words are written by another person(s) rather than by the person who's reading them. An extremely common body language phenomenon accompanying such scenarios is standing with one's feet close together.

When she's reading her statement (which was no doubt prepared by others), Hillary Clinton's feet are indeed closer together. However after she finishes reading and prepares to take questions, Secretary Clinton then readjusts her feet - moving them further apart (0:56 -1:00 and more so during 1:08 - 1:10). Although we cannot see this directly, we can see her head and shoulders move lower - (this is not be confused with the separate and also significant nonverbal superimposed actions of the relaxing of her shoulders, arms, hands and face).

Please watch the video to appreciate this relatively subtle yet nonverbally profound dynamic.

The fact that Secretary Clinton moved her feet apart (along with her other relaxing displays) when it was time to answer questions is significant. This switching to a higher confidence stance - as well as her more relaxed torso, arms and face when she went into 'an unscripted mode' strongly suggests that she believes she is innocent of any new wrong-doing.

In distinction, a person who believes they are guilty may 'say all the right things' - however their feet will stay close together (e.g., 'at attention') - and other body language and facial expressions would also grow even more tense once they 'moved off script'.

 See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3738: Gary Johnson Loses His Temper

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3734: SNL's spoof on the 3rd Presidential Debate - and 3 Insincerity Flags

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3724: The 2nd Presidential Debate - Donald Trump v. Hillary Clinton - Emotional Intelligence and a Profoundly Telling Body Language Signal 

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3697: NYC Bombing Suspect Ahmad Khan Rahami in Custody - Body Language, Threat Assessment and Emotional Intelligence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3670: Paul LePage's Voicemail Rant

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3508: Batman V Superman - Sad Affleck? (NOT!)

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3619: Lone Protester, Baton Rouge Police and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2470: NYC Mayoral Candidate Anthony Weiner & His Wife Huma Abedin - Body Language Tells, Part II


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3231: Jeb Bush just prior to the Announcement of his Candidacy - What his Body Language Tells Us (PHOTO)

This image of Jeb Bush was captured just before he formally announced his candidacy for President of the United States. He was taking with his father - the potential Bush 45 speaking with Bush 41. What is Jeb's emotional tone in this moment? What does his body language tell us?

First look at his legs. His feet are about a shoulder-width apart. Generally speaking, the wider the legs and feet are apart - the greater the confidence a person is feeling in that moment. Of course - this only goes so far and if a person has their feet too widely spaced, this effect ceases - and will look odd (as well as signal other emotions - Do you know what this indicates?). Could Jeb increase his alpha emotions if his feet were even further apart? Yes, however the degree to which he he's doing so here is consistent with the level assertiveness he needs (without over-doing it).

The former Governor of Florida's back, neck and shoulders are straight and squared respectively - all consistent with high confidence.

When we look the configuration of his arms, both tell us valuable information. In concert with his shoulder his right arm is held a bit away from his body. To those who are in-tune with his nonverbal cue, they will sense a physical strength from this arm position. His right hand is relaxed - indicating no anger or undue tension.

His left hand and arm are busy with his mobile phone - yet there are two crucial components here which signal us Jeb's relative alpha-beta balance. The angle of his arm/elbow (to the axis of his torso if viewed from above him - as if we were looking directly down from the ceiling) is about 45 degrees. Viewed from the angle we have in this photo we see his arm is significantly elevated (although it could be and with some people the elbow matches the height of the shoulder and occasionally it moves even higher - do you know what such a configuration signifies?). With these two angles we can say that Mr. Bush's confidence is certainly high - but not too elevated.

Now look at his left index finger - it's centered on the back of his phone - and not with the other fingers (that is, not on opposite side of the phone from his thumb). This shows us a relatively high alpha tone predominates in the Governor's psyche.

Unlike George W. Bush, his younger brother is right handed. Jeb has got his cell phone in his left hand tell while speaking with his father - what does this tell you about his thought-feelings here?

In summary, when we take all his body language displayed in this cluster, the moment this picture was taken, the 2016 Presidential candidate has a relatively high alpha emotional mindset - he's feeling confident and assertive at about a level of 7 or 8 on a 1-to-10 scale.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3230: Kanye West arrives at Glastonbury - But What Does He Think? - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2674: Did Chris Christie Orchestrate Bridge Closure or Cover Up His Subordinates Actions? Body Language Tells Us ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3152: Hillary Clinton First Campaign Ad - "Getting Started"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2973: Rand Paul's Body Language Tells Us His Plan B for 2016

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3134: Ted Cruz to Announce his Candidacy for 2016 Presidential Race - Why He Will Never Win

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3200: Martin O'Malley announces Candidacy for 2016 Presidential Race - Body Language of Emotional Processing

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3226: Bobby Jindal Jumps In the 2016 Presidential Race - Puts "Family Meeting" online 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2822: Ludacris, Low Confidence, High Confidence and Contempt - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Ludacris hosted the 2014 Billboard Music Awards today in Las Vegas. By most accounts he did a great job. However from a body language perspective in this posed photo we can see several conflicting nonverbal displays.

Ludacris has a mild contempt expression. This is evidenced by a tightening and vertical contraction of his right "mustache area" along with a mild nostril flare. The backward tilt of his head/neck along with a bilateral partial closure of his eyelids up-regulates his degree of arrogance. Many would falsely his face as displaying a mild smile - yet it is most definitely not.

Looking at his feet, we can see that they are planted about a shoulder's width apart and splayed mild-moderately outward. This nonverbal configuration is consistent with high confidence and an alpha emotional tone - however it is not specific to either arrogant confidence or humble confidence.

The position of Ludacris's hands is incongruent with confidence. Known as the fig-leaf or genital guarding - this protective stance indicates a lower level of emotional comfort and projects a Beta persona (A subset of this body language behavior and exception to this tell exists in some law-enforcement organizations as many are taught to assume the "parade rest" or similar pose in some scenarios as it is felt that it allows greater access to one's weapons and diminishes vulnerability in a hand-to-hand attack scenarios).

Thus in this one deliberate and posed image we see arrogance-contempt, low confidence/beta persona as well as high confidence/alpha projection. Whichever of these emotions Ludacris should want to project is an important consideration - however regardless of his intent (can you tell what his primary underlying emotion is?) - deliberate but considerably contradictory body language exists in this moment.

What key nonverbals are seen in the featuring Ludacris below?

See also:

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2798: Donald Sterling, Prejudice and Body Language of Contempt

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2228:  Jay Carney's Body Language -  Contempt disguised as a Sniff ....  for Republicans' Solutions to the Fiscal Cliff

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2442:  Nancy Pelosi's Subtle Contempt Display  Body Language Regarding "Who Cares?" Retort

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2487:  Chelsea Clinton's Beta Body Language -  The Elevated Fig Leaf

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2440:  Vladimir Putin Dials Up His Alpha ... Foot Position, Projecting Leadership,  Confidence & Body Language


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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 ....

During last night's second 2012 U.S. Presidential debate, the attack on the American Embassy in Libya was of course raised. Note that as soon as the Moderator (Candy Crowley) said, " ... Secretary of State ... " President Obama's feet immediately configured to his widest stance of the evening (Mitt Romney, in general, kept his feet too close together for much of the debate - this is interpreted too acquiescing and beta). When the feet are positioned about a shoulder's width distance apart - it projects and is indicative of a higher level of confidence and authority. He then very briefly held the microphone with two hands in front of his lower abdomen when Crowley said, " .... she takes full responsibility for the attack on the Embassy in Benghazi ...." - indicating, transiently, a lower level of comfort with how he was going to respond to this question of full responsibility. Such emotional dissonance is common in a stressful scenario. Between the two competing emotions of confident authority vs. his anxiety about answering however - the alpha emotional tone of the Commander-in-Chief won out - and he no longer displayed this self-touching, self-comforting MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) configuration. Indeed Obama readjusts his feet to an even wider stance (0:23) as he "digs in" to answer this question with force.

Moments later as President Obama recounts his press conference in the Rose Garden on 12 September 2012, he uses the "Dominant Spider" (0:43 - 0:44) and its more assertive cousin "The Claw" (0:45 - 0:49) to help illustrate his recounting of the events. The second he spoke about, " .... we are going to hunt down those who committed this crime ..." (0:49 - 0:50 and again at 0:51 - 0:53) he displayed an accusatory "Index Finger Point" (aka Forefinger Point) toward the audience (I would have advised him to point down instead, only with a greater arm-shoulder display of force and greater verbal emphasis and volume). He then switched to the less aggressive "Loose Fist Thumbs Up" aka LFTU (0:53 - 1:01) gesture when he spoke about receiving the caskets of the four Americans and grieving with the families at Andrews Air Force Base (although his fist could have been more loosely configured - it was still too tight). The LFTU is a great "alpha-beta hybrid" nonverbal which is not overly aggressive and yet still displays a good level of confidence. Obama then dialed up his assertiveness once again with an index finger point with wagging at Governor Romney (1:23 - 1:24) ".... is offensive, that's not what we do ..." The extra wagging nonverbal modifier acts as an amplifier for the President - reminding the former governor (and everyone else) that HE is commander-in-chief. In this context it worked to Obama's advantage, but here it is a relative exception - for most of the time this body language illustrator will project arrogance and patronizing emotions. The President gets a pass here because for a moment, even many republicans are attempting to empathize with the weight of responsibility of four dead Americans.

Obama then displays a great body language cluster as he further admonishes Romney when he says, "....That's not what I do as President. That's not what I do as Commander in Chief ....". Note how he rotates & tilts his head/neck with his chin turning away with his head tilting towards Mitt. He also displays an extended blink which further drives home his scolding. In addition a subtle anger glare can be seen at 1:26 - 1:27 and at 1:28 (about a 2 or 3 on a 1-10 scale). He also shows us his right forehead-eyebrow slightly elevated in a body language tell of incredulity. The vast majority of the time, nonverbal experts will speak of the hands & arms when talking about illustrators - however these are all great examples of facial illustrators.

President Obama then turns his back on Governor Romney as he walks to his chair (1:31 - 1:34) - a beacon of disrespect and dismissal.

Mitt Romney's bilateral eyebrow flash - entire width elevated forehead (1:49) - is a common nonverbal signal of demand for a verbal response to a question. President Obama then displays a subtle "Duping Delight" with a slight left-sided smile (1:54) after he tells Romney, ".... Please proceed Governor ....." . Mitt Romney sees this body language and immediately senses that something (from his point of view) is amiss. This is demonstrated verbally by the candidate's extended stuttering during the 1:54 - 1:56 segment. More obvious and similar duping delight is again demonstrated during 2:03 - 2:06 and again at 2:07 - 2:09. Obama turned what could have been a very injurious issue into what many thought was his best moment of the night.

There were, of course, many other body language tells in this video. These were a few highlights. Obama made a clear comeback in this second debate - both verbally and nonverbally. Will it be best of three?

See also:

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 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis #2291:  A Tight Fist and Tension in The Face - Jay Carney's Body Language as he defends  Chuck Hagel's performance during  Senate Confirmation Hearings

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1867: Ann Romney - Demure vs. Assertive Stance

In this video, Ann Romney speaks initially of Mitt's support for her with her multiple sclerosis and then for her treatment and recovery from breast cancer. Note the possible future first lady's feet. They are positioned very close together. This is a very beta, demure, non-assertive, low comfort and hyper-feminine stance. In some scenarios, depending on the speaker, setting and subject - as well as other nonverbals it is clustered with, this configuration can even signal fear and low confidence. The fact that she was discussing aspects of her diseases, such an emotional tone is entirely expected. At the 0:26 mark however, when she "puts on her Mom hat" - her feet change positions to that of approximately shoulder width apart. Take note of the assertive tone change in her voice which accompanies this body language alteration. She then projects a significantly elevated level assertiveness/alpha behavior, comfort, authority, confidence and leadership with this nonverbal shift.

See also:

Analysis # 1834: United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice in Response to Syrian Government's Houla Massacre 

Analysis # 337: Low Confidence Stance

Analysis # 1861: Bashar al-Assad's Denial and Deception

Analysis # 831: Santorum's Hands and the Alpha-Beta Hybrid

Analysis # 919: How Newt Stands Influences Voters

Analysis # 1553: Ann & Mitt Romney Body Language at NRA Meeting

Analysis # 719: When to Stand with Your Feet Together

Analysis # 771: Ann's and Mitt's Affectionate Hug

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis #1843: United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice in Response to Syrian Government's Houla Massacre

Yesterday, United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice gave a press conference at the U.N. regarding the latest developments in attempts at peace in Syria. This was precipitated by a massacre of 108 civilians in Houla over the weekend, including 34 women and 49 children.

Ms. Rice is a strong and well-spoken leader. Although she is both petite (1.60 M or 5'3") and attractive, she projects a presence and strength far greater than her stature or looks typically afford in our male chauvinistic World. One not-so-obvious reason for this is her nonverbal communication skills. Note at the very beginning of the video, and again during the 4:22 - 4:33 segments, when the camera focus is wide, Ms. Rice is standing with her feet approximately shoulder width apart (we can tell she stands like this throughout the press conference if we look at her shoulder height compared with the backdrop - note how this doesn't change - if she stood with her feet together she would appear taller). Too many female (and male) "leaders" stand with their feet very close together. While this feet-together stance does project femininity, and there are times Susan may very well want to stand in such a configuration, in many contexts it projects lack of confidence, low levels of assertiveness, diminished power and even acquiescence. Delivering a speech or press conference, particularly at the U.N., certainly is not a time to look demure. Woman in most cultures are not used to standing in such a manner by social convention. Thus their unconsciousness's directs them most times to stand with their feet together. Obviously, standing with feet too far apart projects the wrong signals too - and this body language is certainly not advocated either. Positioning the feet a shoulder's width apart projects the right level of assertiveness, power and confidence that any leader, male or female should stand when in such a prominent leadership role. Despite standing with feet apart, one critique offered here to Ms. Rice - is not too stand with her toes pointed inwards. This is an additional layer of nuance to look for when dissecting and quantifying the confidence of others. Note that at the 4:30 time-mark, she re-adjusts her right foot and rotates it outward - simultaneously dialing up her assertiveness. It is very important to emphasize that these positions of the legs & feet not only appear more confident, assertive, powerful, etc. to anyone watching - they also will literally change brain chemistry and physiology such that these emotions will truly be increased. This will subsequently be reflected in one's voice, word choice, fluidity of thought and action.

See also:

Analysis # 1553: Ann & Mitt Romney's Body Language at NRA Meeting

Secret # 919: How Newt Stands Influences Voters

Secret # 1095: al-Assad Feels a Weak Link with Russia

Secret # 719: When to Stand with Your Feet Close Together

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

Secret # 337: Michele Bachmann's Low Confidence Stance

Another tool used by Ms. Rice in this press conference is a lectern with an open design, utilizing a thin central beam. This affords us a full view of the Ambassador. We trust someone when we can see more of them. Thus the open-lectern is a rapport building tool that all leaders - corporate or government - male or female - short or tall should use. The less we can visualize - the less we trust. Very few lecterns are designed with a person of short stature in mind.  Even if Miss Rice were a 1.91 M (6'3") man, an open lectern would still be a very wise idea - but being so petite, this also allows her to control her environment in a way that a tradition wide lectern does not. She is building rapport, sending signals of openness and honesty by this simple but crucial detail.

Secret # 903: The More I see of You .... Plexiglass Podiums

Secret # 33: Transparency in Words and Actions

Ambassador Rice does use the traditional index finger (aka forefinger) point. She should avoid using this body language gesture as virtually all cultures find it offensive. The forefinger point is a rapport destroyer. A much better alternative is to point with loose fingers (not fully extended), palm pointed upwards, elbow bent (arm not fully extended either). This mode of pointing engenders a much more cooperative and nonthreatening feeling while still projecting confidence and authority.

Secret # 1224: Two-Handed Index Finger Point

Secret # 1652: Crude Oil, Speculators and Counting with Thumb First

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

Secret # 1233: Putin's Pointing Pen 

Analysis # 793: The Index Finger Point - A Rare Exception

Although it is difficult to see throughout most of the video, Susan Rice commits several hand to hand touches in front of her central lower chest & upper abdomen. While some very brief uses of a low steeple would be helpful here to project power and authority, they should be deliberately choreographed and used only for a second or two during particularly important statements. Otherwise, the conventional steeple can backfire and send signals of arrogance. I don't believe Ms. Rice committed this nonverbal faux pax here, although again, it is difficult to see because of the tight camera angle. She also would be well advised to not touch the opposite hand or commit brief self "hand-holds" that so many people do when speaking (watch almost any news reporter for both this bad body language blunder as well as the dramatic over-use of the conventional low steeple).

At the 5:21 Mark, just after an audience/press member asks Ms. Rice, "Was there any country that immediately dismissed the idea of sanctions, or do you see an opening for discussion there?", she exhibited a prolonged bilateral blink (indicating a desire to block the subject from her mind - and there of are indeed diplomatic road blocks here), a looking away (at 5:22 - a similar emotional tone and cause as the prolonged blink) and a more than moderate contempt nonverbal (5:22 - 5:23). Susan Rice has strong contempt to countries (and leaders) that are blocking the effectiveness of any sanctions (a' la Vladimir Putin).

The Ambassador uses the basketball steeple and the palms up gestures very well - much better than the vast majority of speakers/politicians/leaders in any given venue. This gives her confidence and connects her in both an intellectual and especially an emotional manner with her audience - even the small minority who may disagree with her. In short, although not perfect, Susan Rice's body language is very good and sends signals of strong leadership as it also aides dramatically to build rapport and consensus.

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Negotiation Body Language Secret # 831: Santorum's Hands and the Alpha-Beta Hybrid

Where to put the hands? Well, this topic is very context related. It is NEVER a "one sized fits all" scenario. However, here Presidential hopeful, Rick Santorum, former U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania shows us a great "Alpha-Beta hybrid" with regards to his hands. Santorum has both hands in his back pockets, and while this is not a configuration you should hold for the duration of any speech or presentation, 20 to 30 second portions of this body language sprinkled throughout an appearance conveys an approachable and open personality. 

This variation of the Arms-Akimbo nonverbal is a good compromise between the prototypical ALPHA thumbs-backwards-hands-on-hips arms akimbo (see Confidence Secret # 14: High and Low Confidence Drivers: Arms Akimbo and Assertive Attitudes) and the BETA thumbs-forwards-hands-on-hips arms akimbo (see Dating & Romance Secret # 227: Are You Comfortable Around Your Ex?). They're difficult to see, but Santorum has his thumbs positioned forward and outside, while his fingers are inside of his pockets. This thumbs-forward is a BETA nonverbal. However, the elbows/arms sticking out (laterally) from the body is an ALPHA body language signal. Hands in the pockets is a BETA beacon. But his thumbs out of pockets shifts the sign to a bit more in the ALPHA direction. 

Rick Santorum's feet are an intermediate distance apart - which is also a good ALPHA-BETA mix in the right setting. Here however, I'd recommend the former Senator stand with his feet a bit more apart. For a Presidential Candidate, his foot-to-foot distance is a bit too demure. He'd look a bit more like Ronald Reagan or John Wayne with his feet a shoulder width apart. On the eve of the South Carolina Presidential Primary, Santorum needs a little more "Gipper".

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