Body Language Analysis №4707: Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump at The Al Smith Dinner - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence

Do you recall this moment from the 2016 Al Smith Dinner? It exemplifies some profoundly classic Body Language.

 

 

One characteristic of both a sincere smile and sincere laughter (that’s rarely cited) is retraction of the mandible (a backward vectoring of the jaw) — as is clearly displayed in this profile-view of Hillary Clinton.

Whenever a smile is sincere, the jaw retracts, at least a bit, backward. This movement is often not to the more pronounced degree we see in this example, but it always occurs.

Indeed, so long as you’re first “smiling with your eyes” (eyelids partially [or even fully] closed along with concave-up furrows in each of your lower eyelids), the act of simply by retracting one’s jaw — will often precipitate a sincere smile or even sincere laughter.

Another useful body language tool in this moment to project sincere smile/laughter is recalling a personal hilarious moment and/or someone you love laughing deeply.

 

 

Note the expression on Donald Trump’s face in this moment — it’s one of classic Contempt. 

 

 

In addition, Trump’s left hand is positioned in front of and just above his groin — in a modified (partial) Fig Leaf configuration (aka, Genital Guarding). He’s subconsciously feigning an adjustment of his vest in an attempt at camouflaging his thought-emotions.

He feels threatened and intimidated by Hillary Clinton. Moreover, at the time of this image (20 October 2016), Trump believed Hillary Clinton would win the Presidential Election.

SUMMARY: An important and oft overlooked component of a sincere smile and sincere laughter is a retraction of the jaw. You can even elicit a sincere smile and/or sincere laughter by pulling your jaw backward (when in conjunction with an eye-smiling), (please see above).

Crucially, when jaw retraction is absent, what you might think is a sincere smile or laughter — is being feigned.

In the image included above, Donald Trump’s contempt for Hillary Clinton is clearly demonstrated amidst a moment of Hillary Clinton’s sincere joy-happiness-laughter.

All individuals, businesses, or organizations who want to (need to) dramatically improve their #BodyLanguage skills (via group or individual instruction) — and all professionals who want to nuance their understanding of #EmotionalIntelligence, please DM or email me at Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com

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This post and others accompanying it, serve as a reference source for the art and science of Body Language/Nonverbal Communication. The views and opinions expressed on this website are those of the author. In an effort to be both practical and academic, many examples from/of varied cultures, politicians, professional athletes, legal cases, public figures, etc., are cited in order to teach and illustrate both the interpretation of others’ body language as well as the projection of one’s own nonverbal skills in many different contexts.

Body Language Analysis No. 4288: Is Michael Cohen going to Flip on President Trump? - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTO)

In a short segment within this video (from 1:06 - 1:09) - there's an utterly classic, in-context body language behavior yielding a profoundly valuable piece of information.

At 1:06, the cameraman asks Michael Cohen, "A lotta talk about you flipping - any possibility to that? - Now?"

Before he's completed his sentence (during 1:08 - as the cameraman says, "possibility"), Mr. Cohen immediately transitions his hands and arms from his sides - to a Fig Leaf configuration. Specifically, he clasps his hands in front of the groin. Not surprisingly, this body language stance is also known as Genital Guarding. This body language change is a profoundly beta body language display of the need for protection, low confidence, and fear.

SUMMARY:  This nonverbal dynamic (a sudden fig leaf) - in response to this particular provoking question screams two things:

1. Michael Cohen fears Robert Mueller
2. Michael Cohen will indeed Flip on President Trump

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Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com

See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4287: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle - Why Do We Kiss with Our Eyes' Closed (most of the time)

Body Language Analysis No. 4285: President Trump regarding Undocumented Immigrants: "These aren't people - these are animals"

Body Language Analysis No. 4283: Unidentified Man with Qatari Ahmed Al-Rumaihi in Trump Tower Elevator on 12 December 2016

Body Language Analysis No. 4281: Michael Cohen's Duplicitous Smile

Body Language Analysis No. 4278: Jaws - "You're Gonna Need a Bigger Boat"

Body Language Analysis No. 4257: Mark Zuckerberg Testifies Before The Senate

Body Language Analysis No. 4205: Chloe Kim, Albert Einstein, and Creativity

Body Language Analysis No. 4155: Luis Elizondo Interview - Former Military Intelligence Official Who Ran AATIP (The Pentagon's Secret UFO Unit)

Body Language Analysis No. 4135: What Makes Markle's Eyes Sparkle? - The Emotional Intelligence of Twinkling Eyes


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Body Language Analysis No. 4079: Tom Price, Private Jets, and Nonverbal Disparity - Emotional Intelligence Secrets (PHOTOS)

Earlier today, Tom Price resigned his position as Secretary of Health and Human Services. On 21 September 2017, Politico broke the story that Dr. Price had used numerous private Jets and military aircraft for travel at government expense when ample commercial airline flights were available. Price has offered to repay the costs for his seats on these flights (about $52,000) - but not for that of his staff. The latest estimates for these total travel expenditures exceed one million dollars.

Dr. Price's behavior contradicts his repeated and very public declaration - his desire to cut and control healthcare expenditures. In the image above we can also see disparity - but in Tom Price's body language. What specifically are these signals - and importantly, how do we decipher them?

What's most obvious is Price's Index Finger Pointing. The dynamic of pointing with one's index finger (aka forefinger) is a hyper-alpha display and it's universally negatively interpreted - regardless of culture, country, ethnicity, or economic class. At the very least it's considered offensive and rude - and, when displayed frequently - it's very often clustered with other behavior (nonverbal and otherwise) consistent with narcissistic personality disorder.

The former HHS Secretary has his right eye open with his left eyelids closed. His right index finger is aligned with his right visual axis - and his thumb is extended vertically. This body language cluster strongly suggests he is using his hand as a gun metaphor. This is also a profoundly hyper-alpha display.

But now look at his left hand, arm, and his lower extremities. The angles of his thighs are not very far out-of-parallel - this display is significantly beta (particularly for a wealthy, alpha male [Price's net worth in 2014 was estimated at 13.6 million USD]).

His left lower arm and wrist are protecting his groin in a modified fig leaf (genital guarding) display - which is also consistent with low confidence and defensiveness.

Of particular note are the fingers on Price's left hand - which, although we cannot see them entirely, appear to be positioned beneath his right thigh. This is a high beta configuration - projecting low confidence, low emotional comfort, and a hesitancy to disclose information.

Summary: This image shows the former HHS Secretary's upper body nonverbal behavior in an alpha display - yet it's all very conscious and deliberate.

In contrast, Dr. Price's lower body displays are projecting a beta mindset - the need for protection, and a hesitancy to disclose - but in distinction, these are all subconsciously controlled.

Whenever nonverbal signals appear to be disparate or contradictory - the behavior which is subconsciously driven display the person's true emotions.


Group Appearances and One-on-One
Online Courses Available 
702-239-8503
Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com



See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4078: Toddler Steals Prince Harry's Popcorn

Body Language Analysis No. 4076: Roger Stone Speaks to the Press after House Intelligence Committee Testimony

Body Language Analysis No. 4074: Donald Trump Sends Robert Kraft a Message

Body Language Analysis No. 4055: What Does Jessica Chastain Feel For Matt Damon?

Body Language Analysis No. 4049: The Arrest of University Hospital Nurse Alex Wubbels

Body Language Analysis No. 4025: U.S. State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert Regarding President Trump's "Fire and Fury" Statement

Body Language Analysis No. 4000: Garbiñe Muguruza, Wimbledon, and Sincerity

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3912: Keri Russell's Schadenfreude, Matthew Rhys' Fear, and a Hesitancy to Disclose

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3823: Nina Dobrev, Flyboarding, Laughter and a Rapport/Bonding Amplifier



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Body Language Analysis No. 4052: Hitler's Cryptorchidism and Emotional Dissonance - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

All megalomaniacs have alpha personalities - but not all alpha personalities are megalomaniacs. Hitler certainly quantified as both. And although much of his body language was alpha and hyper-alpha, not all of it was.

There are very few occasions when a leader of a country should assume a fig-leaf configuration (e.g., funerals, weddings, when standing next to senior religious figures, and a few other exceptions) - however, Hitler commonly committed this faux pas - so much so, it was a default setting.

Why?

Because he had only one testicle - more accurately, only one testicle had descended. The medical term for this is cryptorchidism. Some have made the argument that Hitler's psychology and world-view were, in part, over-compensatory behavior for this emasculating congenital anomaly.

Even when his right arm and hand were in the midst of one of his hyper-alpha, Nazi salutes - his left hand was often guarding his groin. These are excellent examples of displays of nonverbal emotional dissonance - with one arm-hand conveying aggressive and hyper-dominant emotions, while the opposite upper extremity projecting protective and acquiescing feelings.

Now contrast the first and the third images (both Nazi salutes). In the first example, his right hand is palm-down, his elbow is locked, and his arm is fully extended. In the photo below, however, his palm is vertical (even angled backward 10-15 degrees) with his elbow bent approximately 120 degrees. The first is much more alpha while the second is significantly beta. This lower photo is not simply a "lazy salute" which it's sometimes called. Rather Hitler is feeling particularly emotionally vulnerable in this moment - thus this salute is projecting lower confidence - while his left hand amplifies this hesitant emotional tone and uses his hat as extra genital guarding.

Media Inquiries and Group Appearances 

One-on-One and Online Courses Available 

Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com

702-239-8503

See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4051: Predicting Kim Jong-un's Behavior

Body Language Analysis No. 4049: The Arrest of University Hospital Nurse Alex Wubbels

Body Language Analysis No. 4044: Kim Jong-un's Choreography

Body Language Analysis No. 4022: Jessica Alba's Rules for Naming Her Baby

Body Language Analysis No. 4016: Anthony Scaramucci - Faux Pas and Harbingers

Body Language Analysis No. 3989: Peter Sagan Regarding his Disqualification from the Tour de France and Mark Cavendish's Crash

Body Language Analysis No. 3982: Bangkok Police Officer's De-Escalation Genius

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3731: The 3rd Presidential Debate - Donald Trump v. Hillary Clinton - Part III - "Such a Nasty Woman"

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

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Body Language Analysis No. 4042: Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor - Official Weigh-in - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Conor McGregor is the first fighter in UFC history to hold titles in two weight divisions simultaneously. McGregor is eleven years younger and he's stronger than Floyd Mayweather. Yet Floyd Mayweather is one of the most skilled boxers in history. Some say he's the best ever. Mayweather has 49 wins and Zero losses. Zero. Mayweather has only been knocked down twice in his career - and one of these should have been ruled a slip.

But the two men are boxing - and although McGregor is an outstanding and accomplished mixed martial artist fighter (21 wins, 3 losses) - he's a rookie when it comes to boxing. Virtually every expert says that Floyd Mayweather will beat Conor McGregor tomorrow night. Some even say it's dangerous for McGregor to be fighting.

Earlier today at the pre-fight weigh-in, the two men stood toe-to-toe for 30 seconds (during the video from 20:36 to 21:04).

The image above, captured during 20:40, was perhaps the most telling moment. While Conor McGregor was "in his face", screaming and talking trash, Floyd Mayweather took a step backward (albeit a small one) with his right foot. This is Floyd Mayweather's 50th pre-fight weigh-in. He's accustomed to trash talk. He's had practice giving it and receiving it. Yet in this moment he retreated a bit. This is quite a significant nonverbal tell of low confidence.

Taken in isolation, a small step backward may be discounted by some. If you look carefully though, you'll also see Mayweather's feet are closer together. This signal projects an additional layer of Floyd's beta emotional tone to McGregor's relative alpha mindset.

Nuancing his nonverbals further, with his left hand clasping his right wrist, Mr. Mayweather is in a modified "Fig-Leaf" configuration (a protective stance also known as "Genital Guarding") - while Mr. McGregor's hands are clenched in fists with his arms to his side and elbows angled out.

Moreover, Floyd Mayweather's shoulders are rounded and rolled forward (more beta) - strongly contrasting with Conor McGregor's shoulders, which are pulled back and squared (more alpha).

Although the resolution is somewhat low in the above image, and from this distance it's difficult to discern - it looks as if his eyes are closed (a blocking phenomenon) - simultaneous with his back-step.

This next image was captured during 21:06 as each man turned away from each other and toward the crowd. In this instant, Mayweather is focusing in a momentary thousand-yard stare while his lower lip pouts asymmetrically (more on his right) - don't mistake this for a jaw jut (it's not) - or jaw clenching (it's not that either). This isn't an angry expression, or isn't determined - it's sadness. In this instant, Mayweather is visualizing a negative outcome.


Summary: Predicting the outcome of any sporting contest is fraught full of variables - and it's orders of magnitude more difficult with respect to team sports. But a boxing match is a contest between only two people - with the variables dramatically reduced. In such scenarios, the relative confidence level of each man becomes a much more influential factor in foretelling winning or losing. Experience counts. Skill counts. And although Floyd Mayweather is a far superior boxer and the odds for victory are heavily in his favor, if we ignore the trash talking during this toe-to-toe, 30 second, pre-fight, weigh-in, faceoff - Conor McGregor's body language is hyper-alpha, while that of Floyd Mayweather's is significantly beta. This body language indicates Floyd Mayweather's confidence is shaken and markedly lower than Conor McGregor's. Why? What does Mayweather know (or believe) that we don't?



Group Appearances and One-on-One
Online Courses Available 
702-239-8503
Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com


See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4041: Former Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak regarding Secrets from Donald Trump

Body Language Analysis No. 4039: Blue Angels, Surprise, Emotional Processing, and Empathy

Body Language Analysis No. 4037: Charlottesville Protester Quits Boston University after Death Threats

Body Language Analysis No. 4034: Steve Bannon's Critical Evaluation

Body Language Analysis No. 4026: Aubrey Plaza, Ingrid Goes West, and Emotional Intelligence

Body Language Analysis No. 4011: Anthony Scaramucci's First UK Interview

Body Language Analysis No. 3978: Keanu Reeves, Chuck Spadina, Sincerity, and Empathy

Body Language Analysis No. 3953: Vladimir Putin and Emmanuel Macron meet in Versailles

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3829: Mary Tyler Moore - Flirtatious, Sexy, Alpha Female Smile


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Body Language Analysis No. 3939: The Russians are Confident - Sergey Lavrov, Rex Tillerson, and Donald Trump - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

Maybe you've heard? The Russians came to town. Last Wednesday Sergey Lavrov and Sergey Kislyak visited Washington and met with Donald Trump and Rex Tillerson. The image above shows Minister Lavrov and Secretary Tillerson at the State Department.

This particular moment contains some profound nonverbal tells. An analysis follows...

While Minister Lavrov is speaking, Secretary Tillerson's facial expression is primarily that of bitterness and regret - with a secondary (minor) emotion of anger.

Note Tillerson's hands are configured in what is known as a modified "Fig Leaf" (aka "Genital Guarding"). This is a significantly beta nonverbal display and should never be used among geopolitical equals (with the exceptions of funerals, weddings, certain military ceremonies [e.g., at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier], and in the presence of high-level religious figures).

Holding his own hands is pulling Tillerson's shoulders forward and down - making him look weak. In contrast, Lavrov's shoulders are straight, square and strong. The Russian projects power and assertiveness - while in comparison, the American looks diminutive and weakened.

You may have also noticed that Tillerson is squeezing his fingers. Finger squeezing is a subset of hand-wringing behavior - both of which are high anxiety displays. In particular, these are frequently displayed during times of higher levels of stress when it's felt that the likelihood of a successful outcome is increasing small or there are 'feelings of no recourse'.

Tillerson's feet are relatively close together while Lavrov's are positioned in the more recommended mode - slightly less than a shoulder's width apart. In comparison, Tillerson looks like he is 'At Attention' and that Lavrov is his commanding officer.

Standing with your feet close together - particularly when next to someone with a broad stance - engenders feelings of inferiority and subordination. It will lower your confidence (even if standing alone) and - as military leaders knew millennia ago - it makes one much more likely to take orders and acquiesce.

Incredibly, standing with one's feet close together will also cause thoughts and speech to be less fluid.

Thus if you want to improve your ability to:

• Think on your feet
• Speak on your feet
• Be confident and project confidence
• Be authoritative and project authority
• Intimidate another person
• Look like a leader

                  ...then stand like Sergey - and not like Rex.

Summary: While we cannot say specifically why - we can be absolutely sure, that in this moment - Secretary Tillerson's confidence is low while Minister Lavrov's confidence is high. This is especially noteworthy for Tillerson is on his home soil.


Group Appearances and One-on-One
Online Courses Available 
702-239-8503
Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com


See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 3398: Donald Trump regarding asking James Comey for his Loyalty

Body Language Analysis No. 3396: Donald Trump's first interview after Firing James Comey

Body Language Analysis No. 3395: Donald Trump and Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak in the Oval Office

Body Language Analysis No. 3933: Sally Yates Testimony before Senate Judiciary Committee

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3926: Donald Trump regarding Xi Jinping, Kim Jong-un and Nuclear Threats

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3922: Vladimir Putin and Michael Flynn in Moscow

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3868: Benjamin Netanyahu, Donald Trump, The West Bank and Anxiety

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3799: Carrie Fisher and Princess Leia - Full Lips and Lip Pursing

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


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3806: The Bachelor Nick Viall Awkwardly Reunites with Ex-Girlfriends Andi Dorfman and Kaitlyn Bristowe on Jimmy Kimmel - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTO)

Nick Viall was a contestant on the Show The Bachelorette during seasons 10 and 11. He also has the distinction of being was dumped by both Andi Dorfman and Kaitlyn Bristowe on TV. The three recently had a reunion of sorts on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

There were many body language moments of interest captured in the above video -  and one of the more illustrative displays is highlighted here.

Note Mr. Viall's left leg is crossed over his right. This specific leg crossing configuration is known as a "Figure 4" (sometimes referred to as an "American Figure 4"). In this context it exemplifies classic nonverbal blocking behavior (If he had Crossed his legs in the opposite direction [toward the others], it would have still projected low emotional comfort - but it would have been less in magnitude).

The position of Viall's hands is a seated "Fig Leaf" analog - which is further evidence of strong blocking and protective behavior.

Another demonstrative nonverbal set of signals is the leaning away of Nick Viall's torso, head and neck. This distancing behavior is strong evidence of his emotional discomfort in this context with his former girlfriends, Andi Dorfman and Kaitlyn Bristowe.

See also:

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3803: A Common Gesture of Donald Trump's - Variation on Alpha-Beta Hybrids

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3801: Marion Cotillard, Lip Syncing and Honest Anxiety

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3789: Felicity Jones, Jyn Erso and Tattoos

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3769: Fidel Castro and Nikita Khrushchev

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3710: Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte Compares Himself With Hitler

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3687: Katy Perry Surprises Fan-Survivor of Orlando Nightclub Shooting on Ellen 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3659: Ryan Lochte's "Today Show" Interview regarding Alleged Rio Robbery

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3804: Barack Obama, Shinzō Abe and The Pearl Harbor Memorial - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

Shinzō Abe is the first Japanese Prime Minister to visit Pearl Harbor in the company of a sitting US President. In this image, the Prime Minister and President Obama are seen at the USS Arizona Memorial.

Note Barack Obama's body language:

• Head Bowed
• Feet Close together
• Hands in a Fig Leaf (aka "Genial Guarding")

While normally such a nonverbal cluster sends signals of acquiescence, submission and a beta emotional tones, during a ceremony at a war memorial it sends sincere signals of respect and reverence.Thus it is also normal contextual behavior for a head of state to use identical body language during weddings ceremonies, funerals and when receiving remains of the deceased. A president should also use these nonverbal signals when meeting a high-ranking religious figure (and thus send signals of deference as well as respect/reverence). Outside of these and similar scenarios, such body language would not be advisable for the leader of any country.

It's important to note that the two navy personnel are at attention, and thus their nonverbal behavior is practiced protocol.

Prime Minister Abe's right hand can be seen in relatively tight fist (his left hand obscured by his jacket blowing in the wind), which, based on his other nonverbal signals, projects significant anxiety.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3803: A Common Gesture of Donald Trump's - Variation on Alpha-Beta Hybrids

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3801: Marion Cotillard, Lip Syncing and Honest Anxiety

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3799: Carrie Fisher and Princess Leia - Full Lips and Lip Pursing

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3794: Racist Rant at Jefferson Mall in Louisville

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3772: Mitt Romney Meets with Donald Trump

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3730: The 3rd Presidential Debate - Donald Trump v. Hillary Clinton - Part II - Donald Trump won't commit to accepting election results

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3700: George Clooney comments regarding the News of Brad Pitt's and Angelina Jolie's Divorce

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3683: Milo Yiannopoulos believes trolling is his way of "Doing God's work"


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3738: Gary Johnson Loses His Temper - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

After a Guardian Reporter pressed him on his sagging poll numbers as well as his tax policy, Gary Johnson simultaneously switched the subject while losing his temper.

Included in the above video are earlier gaffes where he did not know about the Crisis in/Battle of Aleppo ("And what is Aleppo?") as well as not being able to name a single foreign leader whom he respects. Some have attributed these mistakes as being the cause for his drop in the polls since mid-September.

From a nonverbal perspective, during the time leading up to his outburst, there were two signals of Governor Johnson's which were particularly telling.

Throughout much of this interview (leading up to his loss of temper), Governor Johnson was standing in a fig leaf configuration (aka "Genital Guarding"). Much of the time we can't directly visualize this MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier), however we can discern it by the position of his upper arms. Although the presidential candidate does occasionally gesture (Illustrate) with his arms and hands - he repeatedly returned to this fig-leaf position.

In some settings a fig-leaf display infers respect, deference and/or reverence (e.g., in a religious service or ceremony, at a funeral, meeting a high-level religious figure, at the tomb of the unknown soldier, etc.) However during the vast majority of scenarios, standing (or sitting) in this manner is a signal of lower confidence, lower emotional comfort, a beta mindset and defensiveness.

In addition, the entire width of Governor Johnson's forehead was contracted and elevated during the majority of this interview.

When such prolonged forehead elevation is simultaneous with and/or overlapping in time with a fig-leaf display, you can be sure the person who's displaying this nonverbal cluster is experiencing a lower confidence/defensive emotional state.

Because Governor Johnson was emotionally primed from an earlier incident (note the HBO segment at the beginning of this video - as well as The Guardian reporter referencing, "I could hear some loud voices there"), the candidate should have taken greater time or perhaps changed his schedule before participating in this second interview. He also increased the odds of his outburst when he responded with, "Maybe you'll get it now too" - a script his psyche followed shortly thereafter.

A person with a higher level of emotional intelligence may have known (in real time) that by simply conducting the interview with each man standing a slightly greater distance apart, this would have decreased the likelihood of any confrontation. A seated conversation (using chairs with arm-rests) would have also helped to down-regulate Johnson's emotional volatility.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3737: Donald Trump Rips His Notes at End of 3rd Debate

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3735: Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Mean Tweets

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3733: The 3rd Presidential Debate - Donald Trump v. Hillary Clinton - Part IV - The Turning Point of the Debate

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3711: Vin Scully calls Kirk Gibson's legendary walk-off homer during Game 1 of the 1988 World Series

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3701: Hillary Clinton, Between Two Ferns With Zach Galifianakis

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

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2469: Anthony Weiner, Huma Abedin and the NYC Mayoral Race - Body Language & the Five Burroughs, Part I 


Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3673: Anthony Weiner, Huma Abedin separate after Sexting Scandal


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3678: Donald Trump's Trip to Mexico - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Today Donald Trump visited Mexico and met with President Enrique Peña Nieto. Both men gave speeches and conducted a brief joint press conference.

From a body language perspective, when Enrique Peña Nieto was speaking, Donald Trump stood back - away from the lectern. His feet were fairly close together while his hands were positioned in a Fig Leaf configuration.While there are certainly times when a head of state (or any leader) should display such nonverbal signals - this occasion was NOT one of them. It's always important and to show respect for another leader and behave contextually - but in doing so one should never appear to acquiesce or look weak. Donald Trump's body language was quite beta during President Peña Nieto's speech - projecting emotional discomfort and low confidence.

It would have been to his advantage if Trump had held his arms and hands at his sides. If is hands were loosely clasped behind his back, this would have also been much better than a fig leaf (although if held for too long behind the back in such a position [depending somewhat upon the accompanying facial expressions] - this may project feelings of arrogance and condescending emotional tones).

Trump should have also stood closer to the lectern - standing back as he did sends disengaging feelings. By doing so, he also puts himself at a lower status than President Peña Nieto - AND lower than a presidential candidate. This principle would be true regardless of his country of origin. Standing closer to the lectern would also allow a more neutral place to put his hands. Holding the sides of the lectern, toward the back (closer to him) is a good alpha-beta hybrid position. When it then became his turn to then speak, sliding his hands forward (toward the audience) would be one way to up-regulate his alpha persona (although holding on to the lectern for extended periods is rarely recommended. Open gestures ["Illustrators"] should be virtually always be employed).

Moreover, Trump was absolutely standing with his feet too close together. This also down-regulates his status and makes him appear weak, beta and "standing at attention". His feet should have been about a shoulder's width apart.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3677: Chris Brown's Pre-Arrest Instagram Rant

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3218: Jeb Bush Formally Announces His Candidacy for President

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3396: President Obama's Oval Office Address - Dialing up The Alpha

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3496: Hillary Clinton and George W. Bush Hugging at Nancy Reagan's Funeral

Negotiation Body Language Secret No. 719: When to Stand with Your Feet Together - George W. Bush

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3421: Jennifer Lawrence, Eddie Redmayne and Emotional Comfort

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


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3674: Drake Presents Rihanna with Vanguard Award - 2016 Video Music Awards - MTV - Body Language & Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

At the recent MTV Video Music Awards, Drake, a long time close friend, presented the Vanguard Award to Rhianna. His intro and background story telling were heartfelt (and they are now strongly rumored to be a romantic couple). Rhianna is, for the most part, a very alpha personality. Thus as with most entertainers - she often seeks the limelight. Yet, when another person is touting your skills and accomplishments - it is (and thus feels) fundamentally different vs. when such alpha behavior is self-initiated. And in such scenarios the nonverbal behavior is very different as well. What follows are highlights some of the key body language moments of this interaction.

0:46

Here Rihanna's hands are clasped behind her back. This particular body language is high alpha as well as confidence building - yet she did not hold this configuration for long.

0:54

Here Rihanna is feeling slightly embarrassed. Her arms crossed - and the fact that her hands hidden is particularly telling.

1:06

Hand rubbing and/or scratching the back of the neck is a classic display of "Honest Anxiety".

2:06

Touching or rubbing the base of the front of the neck/the top of the sternum (manubrium) is a classic anxiety tell and projects higher beta emotional tones (definitely NOT an alpha maneuver).

2:33

A variation of the "Fig Leaf" (aka "Genital Guarding") is another very common beta body language. It's unusual for an alpha dominant person to maintain this configuration for long (of course even alphas have beta moments). When the fingers are intertwined (as is seen here), it's less beta (more alpha) than if one hand was placed in front of the other (but if still covering the lower abdomen/genital area).

3:03

The opposite wrist hold is another beta position. For the most part, the further up the opposite arm it's being held, the more beta the nonverbal signal becomes (depending of course on the other body language and facial expressions simultaneously being projected).

Summary: Although she's an alpha personality, in this presentation we see excellent nonverbal examples of Rihanna's emotional dissonance (e.g, being proud fluctuating with feeling humbled [and sometimes embarrassed]). Such alpha-beta flux behavior is typical for a person in this or a similar settings - who has moderate to high baseline levels of sincerity and empathy.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3673: Anthony Weiner, Huma Abedin separate after Sexting Scandal

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3643: What Will Donald Trump Do If He Trails in the Polls By a Large Margin?

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3626: Mike Pence's Wikipedia Profile Picture says "WTF"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3594: Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump and Fareed Zakaria

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2299: Rihanna & Chris Brown at 2013 Grammys - What Their Body Language Says

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2576: Chris Brown's Body Language - a Signal of Psyche's Suppressing Emotions ... and Anger


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