Body Language Analysis No. 3980: Mitch McConnell Delays Health Care Bill Vote - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Earlier today, Senator Mitch McConnell announced that he will postpone the vote on the Republican health care bill until after the 4th of July recess.

As he walked up to the lectern to make this announcement, notice that the Senate Majority Leader's left hand was in his pocket. Moreover, it stayed in his pocket the entire time he was speaking.

This "hand in pocket" display is a variation of a MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) - and a tremendous faux pas any rookie politician should never commit, let alone one of Senator McConnell's experience. Yet, like everyone else (Democrats and independents alike), he is only human - and thus prone to our common foibles.

Mitch McConnell put his hands in his pockets because, despite having an alpha personality - he was in a beta moment. The Senate Majority Leader didn't want to delay the vote. Understandably, he also didn't want to be making such an announcement - but he had to be there. The disappearance of a hand beneath a table or in a pocket signals low confidence and low emotional comfort. The significance of this body language tell is amplified even further while a person is walking.

Summary: Senator McConnell does NOT believe the Republican Health Care Bill will be passed by the Senate - even after July 4th.

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See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 3979: Ivanka Trump, "I Try to Stay Out of Politics"

Body Language Analysis No. 3977: Anthony Kennedy - One Signal You Never Want to See From a Judge During Your Testimony

Body Language Analysis No. 3975: Travis Kalanick and Sheryl Sandberg - and Uber's Need for Empathy, Sincerity, and Emotional Intelligence

Body Language Analysis No. 3973: Alex Jones, Megyn Kelly, and a Fundamental Insincerity Tell

Body Language Analysis No. 3971: Elon Musk, Amber Heard, Affection, and Ownership

Body Language Analysis No. 3952: Emmanuel Macron's Handshake with Donald Trump at NATO Summit

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3909: North Korea's Parade - Projecting Power and Control

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3872: "Fearless Girl" Statue in Manhattan's Financial District 

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


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3688: Vladimir Putin, Phone calls, Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTO)

From a nonverbal perspective, people on the phone often become easier to read. It's a phenomenon somewhat similar to how our behavior becomes somewhat "unmasked" when we're driving. In both cases we let our guard down - it's as if part of our brain believes we can't really be seen and subsequently our psyche is less filtered.

Whenever someone places their hand in a pocket during a phone call (with the exception of having cold hands), you can be sure they are either trying to hide something - or a topic in their conversation has made them feel vulnerable.

Even thought he's has an alpha personality, what other nonverbal signals in this photo indicate Vladimir Putin is feeling a bit beta?
 

See also:

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3684: Barack Obama's and Vladimir Putin's "Stare-Down" at the G20

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3669: Jordan Spieth, Bill Murray and the Asymmetrical Smile

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3451: Angelique Kerber defeats Serena Williams in Australian Open 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3632: Hillary Clinton formally introduces Tim Kaine as her VP Choice

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3596: Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds and Deadpool

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3563: Ariana Grande, Lip Stick, Microexpressions and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3686: Donald Trump regarding his National Security Briefings


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2702: Barack Obama - Anxiety and Non-engagement; Body Language Signals (PHOTO, VIDEO)

Tomorrow night Barack Obama will give his fifth State of the Union Address. Like most second-term U.S. Presidents, his most recent job approval rating (Gallup) is low at 42 percent. So it's not surprising that in moments of the relative privacy of the Oval Office, President Obama displays body language consistent with this diminished public approval.

Touching one's neck, with rare exception (depending on the other nonverbal signs with which it is clustered), signals significant anxiety. This is but one example of what is termed a Manipulator, Adaptor or Pacifier (MAP). The president's full palmar contact with the neck is acts as a signal-amplifier.

Take note of the position of Mr. Obama's left hand. Despite the "Hollywood-ization" of men posing with hands in their pockets, it sends messages of withdraw. It's a significant beta signal of lowered confidence and lowered emotional comfort. A useful metaphor to characterize this body language is a turtle going in it's shell (aka "Turtle Retreat").

Pick up any other subtleties which up-regulate or down-regulate POTUS's anxiety level?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2602: Barack Obama at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2595: Barack Obama's Emotional Dissonance, Low Confidence and the "Turtle Retreat" - He Does Not Want To Be There

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2620: President Obama Tells a Couple Fibs - "Norming" Barack's Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2681: What Did Barack Obama Really think of Robert Gates as Secretary of Defense?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2646: Does Barack Obama Want to Go to the Sochi (Russia) Winter Olympics? What His Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2593: Barack Obama, Insurance Cancellations and Signals of Low Confidence

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




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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2595: Barack Obama's Emotional Dissonance, Low Confidence and the "Turtle Retreat" - He Does Not Want To Be There (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Barack Obama was at the Port of New Orleans yesterday. During a speech there he committed several major body language and Presidential faux pas.

This article's subject matter overlaps partially with a recent previous post, however Barack makes even more nonverbal mistakes here.

Throughout much of this appearance here the President uses his right - and non-dominant hand (Mr. Obama is left-handed). This is a strong body language sign of a relative lack of confidence. In addition there were several negative nonverbal amplifiers present.

Mr. Obama's right upper arm and elbow are held close to his torso - a significant demure emotional sign. Moreover his right forearm & wrist are resting on the lectern. This sends further messages of low energy, low confidence and low comfort.

As if this weren't enough, the President places his dominant, left hand in his pocket throughout significant portions of this talk. Barack Obama is far better than most in his body language, however with all the problems recently regarding health insurance cancellations, Obamacare website design flaws and fellow democrats jumping ship - he has of late broadcasted significant signals of a beta emotional tone, and this was surely one of those times. A hand hidden in a pocket, particularly a dominant hand, is a strong signal that the President really doesn't want to be there - thus a part of his dominance is hiding. This nonverbal phenomenon has been termed the "Turtle Retreat".

Barack Obama's act of leaning on the lectern is also quite problematic. Not only does he "turns his back on" a good portion of the audience, which disrespects them and helps to destroy rapport - but this also sends signals of low energy and a lackadaisical attitude that any president, on any day, in any speech, on any subject should not want to send.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2593: Barack Obama, Insurance Cancellations and Signals of Low Confidence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2568: Barack Obama Catches Near-Fainting, Pregnant Woman (Karmel Allison) During Speech

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2560: A Debt Default is (for now) Averted - President Obama's Microexpression of ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2541: Barack Obama, Permanent U.N. Security Council Members, Syria's Chemical Weapon Disarmament and a Presidential Gaffe - Body Language in the Oval Office

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2519:  Vladimir Putin Speaks Syria,  Chemical Weapons and Disarmament -  Body Language just after his New York Times Op-Ed

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2318:  John Boehner at Rosa Parks Statue Unveiling  A Body Language Signal of Squelching Tears

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2489: Angelina Jolie and "Maleficent" - Body Language Signals of Sincerity and Disengagement (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

The video above includes a few moments of Angelina Jolie in the midst of promoting her new movie, "Maleficent". Below are two very different body language signals both involving Jolie's right hand.

In this image, captured at 0:08, Ms. Jolie's right hand is placed directly on her sternum and upper left chest. The beautiful actress makes this MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) with full palmar contact - thus maximum contact is made above her heart. 

Angelina of course recently has undergone major surgery - thus Maleficent is her first post-surgery film. This nonverbal signal is a strong indication she has a very high level of sincerity about her joy to back doing what she does so well.




If Mrs. Brad Pitt would have touched with only the finger/thumb tips, this body language would have indicated a significant lack of sincerity.

Those who consistently touch over their hearts with full contact of the hand also have high empathy quotients.

This second posture proved difficult to capture on a still image, however when the video is viewed, one can clearly tell that Ms. Jolie had her right hand in her pocket when she was speaking about how, "... Since I was a little girl, Maleficent was always my favorite ...[breathy laugh] ... No surprise ... um, I, I was terrified of her, but I was so drawn to her ..."  

It is relatively unusual to see a woman, particularly a woman seen on camera so often, with a hand in her front pocket during a public statement. Such a nonverbal display suggests a significant level of a lack of emotional comfort and disengagement. This low confidence level display within this context - and via a movie super star - is highly suggestive of deception with her statement (not with being on-stage). Ms. Jolie's favorite character was almost certainly NOT Maleficent, but Sleeping Beauty. The princess. She who found her prince.

What other signals signify a probable lie here?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2397:  Angelina Jolie on Motherhood & Her Own Mom  Body Language Tells ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2434:  Brad Pitt's Tongue-in-Cheek regarding  Reasons for Choosing to Work on "World War Z"

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 353:  Brad Pitt's Smiling Eyes - Sincere and Insincere Smiles

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2074:  Mitt Romney and Senator Kelly Ayotte  What Body Language Tells?

Leadership Secret # 91:  Sarah & Todd Palin - Sincerity and Trust with Pledge of Allegiance

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2207:  Body Language, Sincerity and Mahmoud Abbas  United Nations grants Palestine "Nonmember Observer State"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2271:  Golden Globe Awards - Best Original Song Adele & Taylor Swift - both Nominated, One Winner - One Body Language of Sincerity & Another of Contempt then a Suppressed Smile
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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2246: Harry Reid vs. Mitch McConnell on the Senate Floor - Their Body Language Betrays How they Feel about Probability of Fiscal Cliff Deal

After meeting with President Obama Friday afternoon [along with Reps. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and John Boehner (R-OH)], U.S. Senators Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Harry Reid (D-NV) went back to the Senate floor to address their colleagues and the American people regarding a possible eleventh hour fix of fiscal cliff financial mess. Their hand positions betray their relative feelings regarding the specifics of the Bill - which are as yet undisclosed.

Note that both of Harry Reid's hands are very visible, gripping the lectern - and more specifically are forward on it (during 0:27 - 0:40, 0:44 - 0:46, 1:22 - 1:35) rather than what is usually seen when the lectern is touched (holding the sides closer to one's torso). This signals his relative optimism - both in the proposed plan itself as well as its chances in passing into law. Reid is being assertive, showing alpha emotional tone and displaying confidence. 

In contrast, Mitch McConnell has left hand in his front pants pocket (during 0:37 - 1:02 and 1:21 - 1:22). This body language akin to a "turtle with his head in his shell" signaling less optimism towards the bill passing and/or the Kentucky Senator feels that the plan currently in the works is not one that he and his fellow conservatives will think is fair or favorable. A man (or woman or child) with his (her) hand(s) in his pockets is not relaxed - although he probably wants you to think so. Rather he's in a moment of emotional dissonance - part of him wants to be there - but another part does not. It's a non-assertive, beta, lower confidence nonverbal. While some people may "do this all the time" - and this may be viewed as being normal behavior for them - this is a particular signal which tends to transcend the principle of body language "norming". If you want to show confidence and be more confident - keep your hands out of your pockets!

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2074: Mitt Romney and Senator Kelly Ayotte - What Body Language Tells?

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

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1143: Santorum Video Analysis - R2E2 and other Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2208: President Obama & Mitt Romney in the Oval Office -  Multiple Body Language Tells

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1712: Negative Nonverbals and The Recency Effect -  President Obama's Campaign Ad "Go" 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2245: The Fiscal Cliff Grows Closer & Tempers Fray -  Barack Obama's Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2150: Body Language Advice for  President Obama and Governor Romney in Tonight's Debate
 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2208: President Obama & Mitt Romney in the Oval Office - Multiple Body Language Tells

Mitt Romney visited President Obama yesterday at the White House. In this image above, there are several nonverbal tells which betray both of their emotions and (although it was a private meeting) - we can be pretty sure weren't expressed by their words. 

Barack's left (and dominant) hand is in his hip pocket (of course, handshakes are by custom performed with the right hand). This body language display tells us that he really doesn't want to be meeting with Mitt. It's nearly always misinterpreted as a signal of nonchalance or relaxation - however it's a reliable nonverbal signal of non-engagement and mental-emotional withdraw. Think of this as a turtle with his head in his shell. When you see it, emotional dissonance should come to mind. The President really doesn't want to be there - and yet he said he would meet with Romney. His emotions are split.

Romney's hand position during the handshake shows that he's still trying to display dominance - a poor concession for not having that Oval Office for his own. His dominant "hand on top" configuration is a strong alpha nonverbal. The President's acquiescence by taking the submissive, beta position in this context is congruent with his hand-in-pocket configuration (a "gimmie") - neither of which he did in any of their three debates.

Although this is not a high resolution image, Mitt Romney's "smile" is clearly not a true smile at all - but a poor attempt at a "social smile". The thinned upper lip with essentially horizontal morphology indicates an emotional tone of anger. There is also a bitterness component seen here. If any of us were in Mr. Romney's shoes, we'd all probably have a similar mouth display - and his facial display is not a surprise here. But it does serve as a good teaching example when we have clear insight into his emotional tone.

See also:

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Analysis #1510: Handshakes, Statesmanship and Dominance -  Manmohan Singh & Asif Ali Zardari

Negotiation Secret # 379: Dominant Handshake Tendencies

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1131: Romney's Handshake, Santorums Bicep's, and Dominance 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1863: Sharapova's Lips of Anger 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1859: The Prince is Angry at the Queen's Jubilee

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2138: President Obama's Anger During Debate - An Under-Appreciated Body Language Signal

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2074: Mitt Romney and Senator Kelly Ayotte - What Body Language Tells?

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2135: Ronald Reagan in Nashua, New Hampshire "I'm Paying for this Microphone Mr. Green!"

On 23 February 1980 in Nashua during an attempt at a debate before the New Hampshire Primary, Ronald Reagan had a moment which lifted him above the rest of his republican competition - in particular the man who would become his Vice President and later President - George H.W. Bush. Initially the local newspaper was going to sponsor the debate - which was at first to be a two person debate between Reagan and Bush. However, when the FEC ruled that this would amount to an illegal campaign contribution, and Bush refused to pay for his half, Reagan agreed to underwrite the cost of the entire debate. He also wanted to include the other five republican contenders.

In this video, it is easy to see that the future President is sincerely angry. Freeze frame at 0:19 seconds and you can see the classic nonverbal of eyebrows pulled together and downward. The wide V-shaped muscular bulges on the forehead area further evidences this anger. 

What many people overlook other body language signals though - particularly his mouth. At 0:22 you can see Ronald Reagan display a prototypical "Inward Lip Roll" (ILR). Here, the inward lip roll is a signal of anger-anxiety and moreover a sign that the psyche is calling on its inner reserves to not boil over. Reagan is trying with considerable effort - to NOT lose his temper. And it's clear that he's not entirely succeeding. 

Thinning of the lips - also a nonverbal tell of anger can be clearly seen at multiple times (Reagan's upper lip in particular at 0:37).

Note that at multiple times his eye lids open extra-wide (e.g.: 0:10, 0:18 - 0:19 and at 0:22 very wide). In this context, this sudden "white and wide" appearance of the eyes is highly indicative of moderate anger is crescendoing to extreme anger or rage. This temporary transition to rage is entirely consistent with Reagan moving from a seated position to a standing position as well. When he speaks his famous line, "I am paying for this microphone Mr. Green" (0:33 - 0:36), Reagan's eyes narrow in a manner consistent with a lesser, more moderate degree of anger.

See also:  Analysis # 1858: What the Eyes Do - Mild vs. Severe Anger

A very common and conspicuous body language tell is seen when Reagan starts to put his left hand into his pocket and then takes it back out (0:26 - 0:27, as well as the image below), . This is a classic nonverbal showing his competing emotions. Part of him (subconsciously) realizes he's losing his temper and he doesn't necessarily want to escalate. To the novice this may look like contradictory body language, but it is common to see this and many other displays of emotional dissonance.

Reagan went on to win the New Hampshire Primary with 50% of the vote - with Bush capturing just 23%.

See also:

Analysis # 2134: A Watershed Body Language Moment: Nixon - Kennedy Debates 1960

Secret # 1060: Belichick's Anger

Secret # 817: Anger & Steroids in Milwaukee 

Secret # 273: Anger & Disgust in Azerbiajan

Analysis # 1555: Ann Romney Hits it Back Over the Net to Hilary Rosen

Secret # 779: What Does Staring Indicate?

Analysis # 1652: Crude Oil, Speculators & Counting on Thumb First

Analysis # 1211: Tiger's Eyes - Subtle Signal - Severe Anger

Analysis # 1465: Santorum's Anger Eyes - White & Wide - Confrontation with Jeff Zeleny of the New York Times

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2125: Presidential Debate Body Language - George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Ross Perot 1992

Why did George H.W. Bush look at his watch during the 1992 Presidential Debates? Pundits said he shouldn't have done so because, "It made him look bored". While many may have come to this conclusion and it certainly was a horrendous mistake - the real reason Bush did this was he was feeling considerable anxiety. The "watch check" (at 0:02 - 0:04) is a very common body language signal of a nervous emotional tone. As the President stood up he then performed another nonverbal anxiety tell - he pulled up his pants and adjusted his belt (0:04 - 0:07). Yet another anxiety tell was his left hand going into his pants pocket (0:56) This has even greater significance (thus more anxiety) because it was his dominant hand - Bush 41 was left-handed. In the context of a question being asked - a hand/hands will go into the pocket(s) for the same reasons that a turtle goes into his shell - for some protection. It's a strong signl of emotional dissonance - he wants a second term and yet he doesn't fully want to be in the debate - at least at this moment. This particular question made him feel very uncomfortable.

There is little doubt that Ross Perot and especially Bill Clinton sensed this and welcomed it - and pounced with their answers.

See also:

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

Analysis # 915: Interpersonal Space ... and Candidates

A Watershed Body Language Moment: Nixon - Kennedy Debates 1960

Analysis # 1149: Who was More Nervous in the Debate - Santorum, Romney, Gingrich or Paul?

Analysis # 717: A Tale of Two Ricks, Where to Point .... and Not to Point 

Analysis # 1499: Bill Clinton's Empathy for Eric Fehrnstrom and Mitt Romney .... What's YOUR Sincerity Quotient?

Analysis # 1865: Five Presidents in the Oval Office - Who has the Lowest Confidence? Who is the Least Comfortable?

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

 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2047: Barack Obama does not Believe

In this video filmed today in San Antonio, Texas, President Obama commits several body language displays that a President should never use. Typically, Barack Obama is far better than most when it comes to nonverbal communication, which gives these faux pas more weight.

At the very beginning of this segment (0:00 - 0:03), the President is rubbing/scratching just in front of his right ear. A few seconds later (0:12 - 0:16) he rubs his bottom lip with his right index finger. Both of these facial self-touching gestures (Manipulators, Adaptors or Pacifiers - aka MAPs) are highly consistent with anxiety and in this context, indicate the President does not believe the statements he is making regarding Texas becoming a "battleground state" in time for the November election.

The placement of his left hand in his left front-hip pocket (0:36 - 0:44) is another nonverbal signal which any leader, especially a President should never display, particularly during a speech. It indicates emotional-dissonance and demonstrates he is very uncomfortable with the statement he is making - anticipating what Mitt Romney will be saying about how Obama is handling the economy. This makes perfect sense - as he is self-critical when he puts himself temporarily in his opponent's shoes. None the less, it is body language which detracts from his rapport and momentarily projects a more demure and beta-male persona.

See also:

Analysis # 339: When a Lie is Heard or Told - Jon Corzine

Analysis # 1835: Dario Farnchitti Wins His Third Indianapolis 500 - His Disingenuous "Thank You"

Analysis # 717: Barry Bonds and the Obstruction of Justice

Analysis # 2033: Lie Detection, Sergey Lavrov and Syria

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