Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3901: Jared Kushner in Iraq - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

It is said among insiders that Jared Kushner shows an "unwavering loyalty" toward his father-in-law. He has rapidly come to be Donald Trump's most trusted advisor. Kushner's assignments include negotiating an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal, overseeing relationships with China, Canada, and Mexico (triple ambassadorship), the chief of the new White House Office of American Innovation, fixing the opioid epidemic - and increasingly he's assuming the role of what is essentially the de facto Secretary of State.

Earlier this week Mr. Kushner made a surprise trip to Iraq. The photo above is from that trip - and not surprisingly, it has drawn tremendous criticism.

From a purist's perspective, the clothes we wear are not considered part of our body language vocabulary - but the purists are sorely mistaken.

Our clothes are profound nonverbal illustrators - for they are extensions of our face/body and much of the time project our personality as well as the context of our mental state. In some settings this principle certainly applies more so than others. In nonverbal parlance, the term "Illustrator" describes a subset of body language signals we display (>99.9+% subconsciously) to emphasize, underline, italicize and act as exclamation-points for other aspects of our verbal communication and behavior.

If Jared Kushner would have donned semi-military garb - or at least jeans and a T-shirt, no one would have thought it unusual. But by choosing to highlight himself and moreover looking extremely Brooks Brothersesque while doing so, he dramatically and arrogantly distances himself from those people with whom he's attempting to build rapport. It sends signals of aloofness, ignorance, incompetence - and a complete lack of empathy. Kushner is very much saying, "I have to be here, but I don't want to" as well as, "I belong to the country club - and you don't". Indeed, many of those in Iraq (or others simply viewing this image) would interpret his choice of garb in this setting as a nonverbal equivalent of a middle finger shoved in their (our) collective faces'.

"When you visit the land of others, take a friend with you, but leave your laws at home."

Inuit Proverb

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3900: Donald Trump's Statement Regarding US Retaliation for Syria's Chemical Weapons Attack

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3898: President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi Meet at The White House 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3896: Did Matthew Perry Really Beat Up Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau? 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3890: Ted Koppel on why he thinks Sean Hannity is bad for America 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3842: Bill Belichick and Julian Edelman 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3763: Matt Smith, Claire Foy and Where NOT to be stung by a Wasp

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3716: Fatherhood, Body Language, Emotional Intelligence and Ashton Kutcher's Pants

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3707: The Presidential Debates Part III - Donald Trump v. Hillary Clinton and Sniffing


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3854: Donald Trump's Press Conference - "I am the least anti-Semitic person that you've ever seen in your entire life" - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

During his press conference on Thursday, President Trump was asked about, "... an uptick in anti-Semitism and how the government is planning to take care of it ...". Mr. Trump's response was immediately one of the most controversial of the entire presser.

What follows is the transcript of that portion of the event, followed by a partial body language analysis of a crucial component.


DONALD TRUMP (continuing at 1:04:01 in the above video) :  Wait, let's see who's - I want to find a friendly reporter. You [inaudible] -

JAKE TURX:  Right here, I'm friendly

TRUMP:  Are you a friendly reporter?

TURX:  I'm friendly

TRUMP:  Watch how friendly he is. 

TURX:  I've been, I've been - I've been good to you -

TRUMP:  Now wait, wait - watch how friendly he is. Go ahead. 

TURX:  I've been good to you the entire campaign Mr. President. 

TRUMP: Go ahead.

TURX:  So - first of all, my name is Jake Turx, from Ami Magazine and I, despite what some of my colleagues may ah, have been reporting, I haven't seen anybody in my community, ah, accuse either yourself or any, ah, anyone on your staff of being anti-Semitic. Ah, we understand that you have Jewish grandchildren. You are their zayde ("Zadye" is a Yiddish, deeply affectionate term for “grandfather”).

TRUMP: Thank you.

TURX: However - what we are concerned about - and what we haven't really, ah, heard being addressed is an uptick in anti-Semitism and how the government is planning to take care of it. There's been a report out that 48, ah, ah - bomb threats have been made against Jewish centers all across the country in the last couple of weeks. There are people who are committing anti-Semitic acts, or threatening to -

DONALD TRUMP: [over-talking] You see, said - he was going to ask a very simple, easy question - and it's not. It's not. Not a f-, not a simple question, not a fair question. OK. Sit down. I, I understand the rest of your question.

So here's the story folks. Ah, number one, I am the least anti-Semitic person that you've ever seen in your entire life. Number two - racism - the least racist person. 

In fact we did very well relative to other people running as a Republican. 

TURX: Inaudible

TRUMP: Quiet, quiet, quiet. See he lied about - he was going to get up and ask a very straight, simple question. So you know, it's welcome to the world of the media. But let me just tell you something, that, um - I hate the charge. I find it repulsive. I hate even the question because people that know me and you heard the prime minister, you heard, ah - Betanyahu [sic], [mispronounciation] yesterday, did you hear him? Bibi. He said, "I've known Donald Trump for a long time" and then he said - "forget it". See you should take that instead of having to get up and ask ah, a very insulting question like that.


End of (Partial) Transcript, Analysis begins below:

Each description corresponds to the image immediately above it

1:04:14, Disgust display after Trump said, "Go ahead."

1:04:15, Tight Tongue Jut indicating the thought-emotions of, "Disgust, Disdain and Repulsion".

1:04:31, just prior to the "Tongue Exit" of a second "Tight Tongue Jut". Notice the tightening and forward protruding of the lips and adjacent tissue - as well as the retraction of the jaw and dimpling of the front of the chin.

1:04:46, a hyperbolic Forward Lip Purse indicating disagreement and a plan of action (both are very often kept clandestine).

1:04:49, Disgust + Anger

1:04:50, yet another Tight Tongue Jut

1:04:52 - 1:04:53, Tight Forward Lip Purse - a signal for clandestine disagreement/clandestine plan mixed with a secondary, lesser component of anger

1:04:53 - 1:04:54, Contempt

1:04:55, Looking away during contempt (or disgust or anger) amplifies the contempt (a "Contempt Amplifier").

1:04:58, Palm down gestures - leads to lower audience recall - it's authoritative, dismissive and rapport destroying.


Summary: President Trump's rapid sequence of nonverbal displays are profoundly non-contextual relative to the question being asked.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3853: Tom Hiddleston, a School Play and Eddie Redmayne

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3851: Donald Trump's Impromptu Press Conference - "Russia is a Ruse"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3849: Donald Trump's and Justin Trudeau's Relative Confidence Levels During Yesterday's Press Conference

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

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3765: Conjoined twins Jadon and Anias McDonald - See each other directly for the first time

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3655: Rescue In Baton Rouge Floodwater

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


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3807: Sarah Paulson's Fear of Flying - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTO)

A rarely discussed body language signal is seen during Sarah Paulson's recent appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers.

During the 1:02 - 1:03, as Ms. Paulson wants to speak, she curls up her fingers in what many would call a fist-like gesture. This is a body language signal of a momentary pent-up desire to speak - fighting against the urge to interrupt.

Once the speaking begins - the fingers unfurl ...

... and the hand then (typically) begins a palm-down and forward gesture ("Illustrator") as is seen here.

Too often people will misinterpret (or not even see) nonverbal cues. Next time, don't miss this one - for it is saying, "It's my turn to speak".


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3806: The Bachelor Nick Viall Awkwardly Reunites with Ex-Girlfriends Andi Dorfman and Kaitlyn Bristowe on Jimmy Kimmel

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3804: Barack Obama, Shinzō Abe and The Pearl Harbor Memorial

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3802: Amanda Nunes, Ronda Rousey and UFC 207

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3768: Cuban Leader Fidel Castro Dies

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3722: The 2nd Presidential Debate - Donald Trump v. Hillary Clinton - One Positive Thing They Respect about Each Other

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3693: Grace VanderWaal Wins America's Got Talent Season 11

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3532: Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant and The Graham Norton Show


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3449: Natalie Portman's Hands - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

In the above video, Natalie Portman demonstrates a common nonverbal gesture - and yet one rarely described. In body language parlance, this is but one of many examples of what is known an "illustrator" - for they serve to illustrate, emphasize and add description and flavor to verbal language.

In this interview, Natalie is recounting her research of, and preparation for a rendition of "Iko Iko" with Sia, Jimmy and The Roots. During the segment from 1:07 to 1:12  as Ms. Portman says, "... Yeah - it said something that it was like Creole, like the king being [Fallon over-talking] - a Mardi Gras, yeah, Creole ...", her hands move in an elevated, open palm, moderate-to-high frequency, moderate-to-high amplitude gesture. When interpreted in toto (particularly with Natalie's facial expression), this nonverbal is a "Kinda-Sorta-Maybe" gesture illustrating a "Nebulous quality" and a "Searching for the Correct Description" to that which is being discussed.

In this particular example, Natalie Portman's body language is highly congruous with her verbal language (as well as her paralanguage) - thus her sincerity quotient is very high. However this gesture is often used when the verbal language is (when simply taken at face value) decisive and definitive - yet in such a scenario, if you know what nonverbal signals to look for - you'll pick up on the insincerity. Often times our subconscious detects this disparity and leaves us with a feeling of ill-at-ease or "something's not quite right here" emotion.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3448: Ted Cruz's Challenge to Debate Donald Trump One-on-One; Cruz's Default Facial Expression

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3443: Donald Trump - "I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and Shoot somebody and I wouldn't lose any Voters!"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3439: Ted Cruz and the Lateral Lip Purse

Dating & Romance Body Language Secret No. 2020: The Art of Looking Flirtatious

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2929: Jessica Alba, Sin City 2, Action Figures and the Jaw Confessional 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis 2759: Vladimir Putin, Annexation of Crimea and Mouth Asymmetry 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3435: US Sailor captain Apologizes to Iran 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3446: Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Body Language


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3442: Jennifer Lawrence Scolds Journalist at Golden Globes - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

In the video above, after the 2016 Golden Globes, Jennifer Lawrence famously scolds a journalist who was purportedly taking a photo of the acclaimed actress while asking her questions. She was having none of it. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis.

0:04 - 0:05, Jennifer Finger-wags at the Journalist. This universal nonverbal emblem is extremely patronizing and should be used very sparingly (with forethought).

0:07 - 0:08, A Thumb Dismissal (e.g., "Get out of here with that!", "That's not allowed!")

0:08 - 0:09, Hand Wipe illustrator across the face as she says, "You gotta live in the now!" (e.g., "Wake Up" or "Pay Attention")

What emotion is displayed by Ms. Lawrence's cluster of a jaw jut with her prolonged eyelid closure?

0:15 Tight Forward Lip Purse - indicates a clandestine plan and/or a clandestine disagreement. This example also has the characteristic of being tight - thus adding anger to the mix. Jennifer Lawrence knows the journalist just made a huge mistake and she's decided to call him out (again).

0:16 - Looking up to Left - A common (though not absolute) Epiphenomena of right-hand dominant individuals in the midst of Visual Recall. She is double-checking her (visual) memory in this instant to be sure she's at the Golden Globes (Question: If Ms. Lawrence were left-handed, what would this indicate?).

0:17 - a partial, unilateral mouth-smile. This is but one variety of a pseudo-smile. Because Ms. Lawrence has had recent Botox treatments to her forehead, there is very minimal central forehead contraction (CFC). What are the three primary thought-emotions you should think of when a CFC is seen simultaneous with a partial mouth smile?

0:18 - Head Tilt Toward another person simultaneous with an Eyebrow Flash and a Partial (Insincere) Mouth Smile is an exceeding common nonverbal cluster indicative of a Scolding. There is also an element of contempt present here.

0:21 - Jennifer displays significant mid-facial tension (and to a lesser degree lip tension) displaying both disgust and anger.







See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3441: Michigan Governor Rick Snyder Interview regarding Flint's Water Crisis - Is He Being Honest and Sincere?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3414: Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth and Affection 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3364: Jennifer Lawrence accidentally kisses Natalie Dormer on the Mouth 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3242: Jennifer Lawrence, Singing Cher, Liam Hemsworth and Body Language  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1863: Sharapova's Thin Lips of Anger

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3314: Donald Trump's Town Hall Q & A in New Hampshire - Fails to Correct Questioner re: President Obama's Religion and Nationality 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3340: Bernie's and Hillary's Big Moment - Body Language at the Democrat Debate  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3429: Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward met with Ammon Bundy

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3263: Barack Obama on Jon Stewart's "The Daily Show" - The Sarcastic Bobble Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

The Daily Show
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President Obama appeared on The Daily Show last week. Of course there was a multitude of body language signals displayed by both men. However one displayed by Barack Obama when Jon Stewart asked about the Nuclear Arms Agreement with Iran - is very revealing, fairly common and yet rarely discussed.

Beginning at 7:21, Mr. Obama continues, ".... and when you hear the critics talk about, 'Well, it's a bad deal, we coulda, coulda got a better deal', you then ask them, 'Well what represents a better deal? What is it that you think, ah, could happen?' Typically they're vague and the fall back on, 'Well, if you'd, ah, beat your chest a little bit more and [pauses] .....' "

When he says, ".... more and ..... (and during a bit of the pause afterwards), we see Mr. Obama's whole torso oscillate back and forth. Though to some this may look like an example of a "Self-Righteous Head Wiggle" (SRHW) - it's not. This is its nonverbal cousin known as a "Sarcastic Bobble" - which has similar but important physical and emotional distinctions. The Sarcastic Bobble involves primarily the torso (although of course, there is a secondary head movement) - in contrast to the SRHW which usually (although not always) is primarily a head-neck phenomena (see links below). In addition, the SRHW is typically expressed with a more rapid movement (higher frequency) vs. the Sarcastic Bobble.

The Sarcastic Bobble, as its name suggests, is a sardonic body language expression which mocks another person or group. In this context, Mr. Obama is belittling many in the American Republican Party - who oppose the Iran Nuclear Arms deal. To nuance this further, the Sarcastic Bobble is usually seen when mocking: hubris, naïveté, over-simplification, inexperience or lack of insight. It's important to note, this illustrator is, of course, SUBJECTIVE with respect to the person expressing it. Not surprisingly, the Sarcastic Bobble is not rapport-building, but rapport-destroying. It should essentially never be used during negotiation or when trying to build coalition - except perhaps to point out opinions regarding a third party who is not present.

This behavior cannot be accurately captured in a still image - please view the video to appreciate it in a dynamic context.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3262: Donald Trump, Breast Pumping and Donald's "That's Disgusting"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2506:  Barack Obama, the Self-Righteous Head Wiggle and  Retaliation Against Syrian Poison Gas Attack  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2561: President Obama's Self-Righteous Jaw Wiggle

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1923:  Hillary Clinton's Body Language re: Syrian Government -  The Self-Righteous Head Wiggle

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2982: Politicians Should Never Do This If They Want To Be Elected - Hillary Clinton's Body Language Faux Pas  Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3169: Baltimore Deputy Police Commissioner Jerry Rodriguez regarding the Death of Freddie Gray

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3141: Carly Fiorina "Higher than 90%" Chances She's Running for President  

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2938: Josh Earnest, Steven Sotloff and ISIS - "Nonverbal Monotone" (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Josh Earnest, the current White House Press Secretary, got news of Steven Sotloff's beheading by ISIS during today's press briefing. The above video and the photos below are excerpts from this briefing.

Mr. Earnest repeated uses his left hand in what in body language parlance is termed an "illustrator" - a subset of what most people term a "gesture". Illustrators are good nonverbal practice - when used in congruency with the words and vocal qualities (paralanguage). In this example Mr. Earnest does nothing of the sort. While he does have some variation - his over-use of identical and/or highly similar gesture results in what amounts to "nonverbal monotone". This practice tells us that he is either significant anxiety, insincerity, naiveté or he's parroting another speaker's behavior (probably President Obama). Which of these emotions/behaviors is responsible?

In addition (and very obvious to most) - not only is the repetitive body language used out of context - why wasn't Mr. Earnest using his right hand/arm? Again - anxiety, insincerity, naiveté or poor mimicry. This unilateral quality amplifies and engenders his lack of variety.  

Think an orchestra conductor doing the exact same thing - yet the music is dramatically variable. If we saw this incongruity, we would know that he was a "fake conductor" and that the orchestra was playing to its own emotion and instincts. This is an identical behavior being displayed by Mr. Earnest.

My condolences to Steven Sotloff, his family and loved-ones.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2937: Vladimir Putin - “If I want to, I can take Kiev in two weeks” and Critical Evaluation

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2495:  The White House, Josh Earnest, Egypt and a Coup

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2835: Jay Carney Resigns - President Obama Shows Us a Body Language Tell

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2061:  David Cameron Defends London Olympics against  Mitt Romney's Remarks -  Alpha Dominance and Illustrators -  Matching Hands and Feet as Sincerity Amplifiers

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2818: The Caring Hand, Palms Up and Building Rapport 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2605: President Obama and Health Insurance Cancellation Fix - and an Alpha-Beta Hybrid Body Language Illustrator

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2910: Becky Hammon, First Female Full-Time NBA Assistant Basketball Coach and an Under-used Body Language Illustrator 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2861: Ronald Reagan and Variations on Thumbs-Up Body Language (PHOTOS)

Ronald Reagan is shown here with a disparity of two different emotions expressed nonverbally. The most obvious one is the universal emblem of the "Thumbs Up" - a Worldwide expression of optimism. This is a very conscious nonverbal.

However when we look at President Reagan's face - we see an entirely different emotional signal; Mr. Reagan's Jaw is clenched (note his dimpled chin muscles), his lips are horizontally configured and very thinned-out. Note also his nostrils are flared. The primary emotion Mr. Reagan is feeling here is Anger and the secondary one is Regret. These facial nonverbal signals are all initiated subconsciously.

Whenever there is a disparity between the nonverbal signals, the ones that are subconsciously generated are truly reflective of what another person is feeling while the consciously originated ones are deceptive.

On a different occasion we see the 40th U.S. President also displaying a thumbs up illustrator. Yet on his face we see a smile with a much higher sincerity quotient.

Here all of Reagan's nonverbal signals are congruent - and thus we know he believes the signal his thumb is sending.








See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2860: Michelle Obama regarding the First Woman President - What Does She Really Think?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2426:  Remembering Ronald Reagan,  "Mr. Gorbachev, Tear Down This Wall"  Body Language at the Brandenburg Gate

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2301: The State of the Union, Lenny Skutnik and a  Body Language Signal of Being Proud

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2524:  Jay Carney, Navy Yard Shooting and "The New Normal"  Emotion and Thought Disparity of the Exaggerated Pout

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2162:  Disparity in Body Language - What is He Thinking-Feeling?  Mitt Romney after Third Presidential Debate 

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

This interview of the very talented Sara Bareilles just prior to the 2014 Grammy Awards contains a truckload of body language tells - a few of which are described below.

At 0:46 Chris Booker begins, "You don't seem nervous."

Bareilles answers, "I oddly enough don't feel nervous right now ...."

The "Broken Wing" of Bareilles' loose and flexed left wrist (0:49 - 0:50) indicates she is telling the truth about her lack of anxiety. The presence of this body language illustrator only occurs when a significant amount of emotional comfort is present. Although it is occasionally seen displayed by straight men - this nonverbal is much more common in women and gay men.

At 1:27 - 1:28, just after Booker says he has seen Sara perform at least 20 times, we see Ms. Bareilles scratch just to the right of her nose with her left hand. This MAP (Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) seen in this nonverbal-verbal cluster context is a clear signal that she does not believe Mr. Booker.

 

At 2:05, just after Sara says, "... Oh, it certainly does not feel like a night off, let me tell ya that - No. Not when anybody is saying that I should wear high heels. That is not a night off for Sara Bareilles [brief chuckle then tongue jut] ..."

The tongue jut can indicate several thought-emotions depending on the other nonverbals with which it is clustered. Here it indicates that Sara REALLY hates wearing high heels. It is identical to what the tongue does when an infant spits out her puréed carrots. In other nonverbal scenarios, what else may the tongue jut signal?

What does Sara's lip pout indicate at the 2:06 mark?









Many other nonverbals are present in this video. How many do you see?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2669: Sara Bareilles and the Body Language of the Rationalization Rapport Empathy Expression

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2493:  Jewel in Disguise at Karaoke Bar,  Body Language Cues to Lack of Nervousness

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2808: Andrew Garfield, The Spider Man Theme Song and Anxiety - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2665: Nick Saban's "Tongue in Cheek" Body Language - What Does It Mean?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2547: Amanda Knox's ex-Boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito, Piers Morgan Interview, Body Language Tells and Avoiding the Othello Error

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2690: Peyton Manning Explains the Meaning of "Omaha" Call - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2820: Yusuf Yerkel, Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Assault - Body Language

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2605: President Obama and Health Insurance Cancellation Fix - and an Alpha-Beta Hybrid Body Language Illustrator (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Today President Obama gave a speech in which a proposed a fix for the millions of cancelled health insurance policies precipitated by the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). Barack is much better than most at using body language illustrators (commonly called "hand gestures" or just "gestures") than the vast majority of politicians. 
 

For example, during the 6:06 to 6:10 segment, the President is shown using the "Split Finger Fastball" with his right hand. This illustrator acquires its name from its close resemblance to the hand configuration used by baseball pitchers to throw a pitch using the same name.

The split finger fastball illustrator is not fully alpha (hyper-assertive, dominant, over-confident, etc.) - yet it is far from being highly-beta (demure, acquiescent, weak, etc.). It is a good alpha-beta hybrid nonverbal, however in general it leans toward the alpha end of the spectrum. It is important to note however, that since the President is using his non-dominant hand in this example (he's left handed), this indicates he is not feeling quite as confident as he would if this were his left hand. And surprise - the President here is trying to explain his fix for the recent and massive health insurance cancellations. 

Thus Mr. Obama asserts power and authority and as long as he does not display this gesture excessively - also avoids coming across too domineering or offensive. Extremely few speakers and "leaders" are aware of the extreme importance and effect of nuancing the alpha-beta balance of their nonverbal signals at just the right times has on establishing, building and keeping rapport.

See also:

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

Negotiation Secret # 702: The Dominant Spider - Muammar Gaddafi (Moammar Gadhafi)

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2575: The "Bishop of Bling" - German Catholic Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst's Body Language

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2116:  Michele Bachman's Hands and Seeing between the lines

Negotiation Secret # 559: Pointing at a Witness - Michael Jackson's Wrongful Death Trial

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1918:  Vladimir Putin - Pointing with Pen Surrogates, Sharp vs. Blunt

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