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

While the Secretary of the Treasury and the U.S. Attorney General are very accomplished positions and both men are certainly "alpha males", Timothy Geithner and Eric Holder are standing beside their President and their boss. The "Fig Leaf" position (aka "Genital Guarding") - with the hands clasped in front of the lower abdomen - is a body language configuration that most of the time speaks to lower confidence, lower comfort levels and "Beta Personalities". Here is an exception though - when standing next to Barack Obama, they wish to show respect for the man and the office. The fig leaf is a very reflexive (and largely subconscious) nonverbal for those standing next to someone who is respected or who, relative to their position, is more powerful. This is particularly true when displayed on such a public stage.

See also:

Secret # 415: When is it appropriate for the President to Stand in the Fig Leaf?

Secret # 517: Respect for Vaclav Havel

Secret # 441: Bill Clinton's Rapport and His Temporary Universe

Secret # 593: Projecting and Detecting Confidence

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Negotiation Body Language Secret # 517: Respect for Václav Havel

Normally when hands are clasped in front of the groin or waist - it is a signal of low confidence and/or low emotional comfort (Pease, Navarro). The nonverbal term for this configuration is the "Fig Leaf" or "Genital Guarding". It is a pose which should be, for the most part, be avoided. The above image demonstrates one notable exception however. Onlookers here naturally adopt this body language to show reverence for playwright, poet, essayist, dissident, and first President of the Czech Republic, Vaclav Havel during his recent funeral.

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Leadership Secret # 99: One gesture a leader should (almost) never make

This is Stephen Harper.  He is the current Prime Minister of Canada.  His hands are clasped in what some refer to as "Genital Guarding" or "The Fig-leaf" position. It is consistent with a low confidence emotional state and in some contexts, it can be a sign of deference or respect. With very few exceptions a head-of-state should never strike this pose. If perhaps he's/she's being photographed next to a major religious figure such as the Pope or the Dalai Lama, then it's okay, and even expected. When attending a funeral, or perhaps once he becomes a "Former Head of State" and he appears next to a current sitting president, prime minister - then it's also acceptable and not viewed as weak. Otherwise, he's projecting weakness where he should not be. When you're a leader or head of state, you must look the part.  Mr. Harper and others may be surprised to discover, that assuming such a pose will make one feel less confident - and the opposite is just as true.

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