Nonverbal Communication Analysis #1856: Egypt's Former President's Fall from Power - Hosni Mubarak After Sentencing

This recent image of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was taken just after his sentencing. Earlier today he received a life sentence for his role in the killing of pro-democracy protesters during the Egyptian Revolution in the spring of 2011. Approximately 840 protesters were killed and over 6000 were injured. This photo was taken while Mubarak was in a helicopter as it dropped him off at a prison hospital. It is reported that the former Egyptian leader refused to leave the aircraft for over 30 minutes.

Although this is not an optimal photo and his eyes are covered in sunglasses, Hosni Mubarak is displaying enough to reveal a classic facial expression of Disgust. With his lower lip protruding and his upper lip raised together, tightening of the "mustache area" with bilateral nostril flaring clinches this body language tell. Mubarak's forehead is also relaxed with a lowering of his eyebrows and dynamic contraction wrinkles on the bridge of his nose. If we had a full view of his face we would also expect to see some contraction-furrows on his chin and a temporarily increase of crow's feet on the lateral sides of each eye.

Hosni Mubarak does not believe he is guilty and consistent with this emotional mindset; he's displaying classic nonverbal signals of disgust. We can read his mind.

See also:

Analysis # 1552: The Self-Righteous Head Wiggle & the Buffett Rule

Analysis # 1841: Disgust in Response to Rep. Barney Frank's Hoodie Joke

Analysis # 1773: Junior Seau's Body Language During His Last Interview

Analysis # 1816: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Contempt & Mary Richardson Kennedy's Social Smile

Analysis # 72 & 73 : Christine Lagarde's Disgust & Incredulity

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Nonverbal Negotiation Secret # 121: Mubarak, King Abdullah and Netanyahu

Hosni Mubarak is seen in here adjusting his cuff.  This image was taken at the White House during a Conference on Middle East peace on Sept. 1, 2010.  Needless to say this was before Egypt's recent revolution. His cuff-adjust is an example of a Manipulator/Adaptor/Pacifier (MAP). MAPs are signs of increased anxiety.  While we don't know exactly what President Obama was saying, we can be sure it caused Mubarak anxiety. More specifically, it's a signal to us that Mubarak's psyche was attempting to "amp-up" alpha behavior and be more assertive.

Interestingly, King Abdullah II of Jordan, seated next to Mubarak has a classic expression of disgust.  It would be very valuable if President Obama and his staff have photos and similar videos analyzed for non-verbal cues which may give them a distinct advantage. If not, they should. I wonder if King Abdullah is coached?  I doubt it - but he should. All political leaders should. Without it they will give away (and overlook) a gold-mine's worth of information. Body language can certainly be used to a similar dominance in the court room.

Test your skills:  What tell is Benjamin Netanyahu showing us?

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Five Leaders Walking Together but Four Showing Deference

During recent Middle East Peace Talks in Washington D.C., this photograph was taken as the leaders of five countries walk toward the East Room.  Left to right they are Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. President Barack Obama, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, and King Abdullah II of Jordan. President Obama is walking at the front of this group. 

While they are all leaders, the United States is the organizing and host country. The other leaders are not subordinates in in the classic sense, but on the World Stage they are viewed as such in this context. Subordinates walk in front of their leaders at their own risk. If a group of employees is walking with their boss down the hall way, they walk in front of him at their own risk. It will be considered an affront and doing so puts their job at risk.

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