Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3638: Hillary Clinton's DNC Speech - and One Expression Which Profoundly Lowers Her Likability (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Hillary Clinton's likability and trustworthiness are polling parameters which have been discussed heavily during the last 18 months. Many pundits will argue, in a left-brained, logical fashion that relying on likability is a poor way to pick a President. And yet we are human. Personality matters. It's bad advice to ask a person to put aside their instincts. And while no one's instinct's are 100%, learning to trust your instincts is of profound importance. So likability matters. Likability matters a lot.

One expression that we should almost never use (but Hillary Clinton did excessively last night during her Presidential nomination acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention) is that where our eyelids are opened wide, with eyebrows lowered (or at a neutral, baseline position) with the forehead muscles relaxed (not contracted). This is an expression indicative of a high level of anger (rage). If you use it too frequently (which doesn't take much), people will rapidly become alienated.

Granted, if you were in Hillary's shoes, you have reason to be angry. Few could stand the mudslinging that accompanies seeking political office - particularly the Presidency.

But if you appear angry too often - even if you're saying 'all the right things' - it will be interpreted (consciously or unconsciously) as emotional dissonance - and it will destroy rapport, not build it. This is a nonverbal absolute and is true regardless of one's gender.

This expression also tends to creep people out. In Hollywood (to the point of even for decades included in cartoons), and in the real-world, this "Eyes Wide Open" - with the brows down or neutral - and the forehead relaxed - is a red flag. Keep away.

It's very important to note that this facial expression should not to be confused with another - which to the casual observer may appear identical or very similar - but it's not. The second expression is this: eyelids wide open, eyebrows up and forehead contracted (image immediately above). Hillary also displays this second facial expression often (far too often) - and although this expression - when used too frequently is also very much not advised AND also rapport destroying, it's indicative of a completely different emotion (do you know which ones?).

Secretary Clinton, was of course, amp'ed up and full of adrenaline. This may be one cause which would give rise to the second expression (elevated forehead and eyebrows) - but not the first (eyebrows neutral or down and forehead relaxed). Whenever a person is so far from emotional baseline, the ability to accurately assess their own body facial expressions - as well as those of other people - is greatly diminished.

Take home point: If you're an office holder, seeking political office, giving a speech or in any position of leadership, sales, teaching, etc., - stop using this nonverbal expression. Immediately. If Hillary Clinton wants to build rapport, trustworthiness and likability, she'll never succeed unless she stops projecting this facial expression.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3637: President Obama's Speech at the DNC, Hillary Clinton and Anxiety

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3627: Donald Trump regarding President Obama & Shooting of Baton Rouge Police Officers, "But you just look at the body language - there's something going on" 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3610: Star Swain sings The Star-Spangled Banner at the Lincoln Memorial - Why Do Singers Close Their Eyes? 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3602: Samantha Cameron's Beta Behavior - How Not to Stand Beside the Prime Minister

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3591: Jo Cox, The Brexit and Sincere Smiles

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3564: Kanye West, Ellen and Beta Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3523: Jaws - "You're Going to Need a Bigger Boat"



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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3581: Hillary Clinton, Likability and Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Earlier today on CNN's "State of the Union", Hillary Clinton was interviewed by Jake Tapper. During this dialog, Secretary Clinton displayed a pair of her nonverbal tendencies which work against her - contributing to her lower likability as well as lowering the public's trust in her.


Although Mrs. Clinton's interview style has improved, and she's had decades of experience in front of the camera, she continues to make the very freshman mistake of over-using her forehead as well as opening her eyes too wide.



There are certainly times when the eyes should be opened wider, even much wider than baseline (and it's normal physiology and psychologically to do so) such as during fear, surprise and moderate-to-severe anger (rage).

Another time we often see eyelids opened wider than baseline is during moments of emphasis. In such settings, both the widely opened eyes as well as the accompanying elevated and contracted forehead muscles serve as a nonverbal exclamation point.

Yet when a person opens their eyes too much and too frequently, it's human nature to look at his with suspicion - for it very often is the case the person is trying too hard to convince you of something. In fact when you see such nonverbal behavior - that's exactly what you should ask yourself, "Why is this person trying so hard to win me over?" And the next time you're buying a house, a car, an insurance policy, making an investment, hiring someone or going on a date - if you see this type of body language hyperbole - consider it a red flag.

Of course, when running for President, there are many times extra-emphasis is absolutely indicated, but if one does this too much it will server to drive down a person's sincerity quotient (e.g., trust) and likability.

When Mrs. Clinton was serving as Secretary of State, she rarely displayed this eyelid/forehead over-use - and her favorability ratings were significantly higher. After she left that office, the reemergence of behavior was a telltale signal of her intention to run for President. 

Take Home Point: Over-use of the forehead muscles and eyelids the are opened widely too frequently indicates a person is trying too hard to convince you of something. It will lower likeability, favorability and sincerity.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3580: Muhammad Ali, Donald Trump, Repulsion and Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3578: Megan Fox, Body Language and Dismissive Emotions 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3247: Barack Obama's Response to Question regarding Revoking Bill Cosby's Presidential Medal of Freedom

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2701: Cuddling, Romance, Affection and Foot-Shunning

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3572: Bernie Sanders on Jimmy Kimmel - regarding Donald Trump Debate

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2994: Mike Jones to Barack Obama - "Mr. President, Don't Touch My Girlfriend"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2134: A Watershed Body Language Moment: Nixon - Kennedy Debates 1960

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3361: The Johnson Treatment - Body Language and Personal Space

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3568: Hillary Clinton, (Low) Likability, Rapport (Destroying) and Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

It's been well-documented that Secretary Clinton suffers from low likability (and has so for a number of years). Within the communication triad of verbal language, paralanguage and nonverbal language - it's the nonverbal component which contributes the most when it comes to high (or low) likability - as well as with building (or destroying) rapport. Throughout a large portion of this Q & A with Chris Cuomo - and the vast majority of her other interviews, Mrs. Clinton projects numerous body language signals which contribute to these negative emotional perceptions - a few of which are discussed below.

Very often Senator Clinton leans backwards with her head and neck. This sends signals of pretentiousness and arrogance. The colloquial expression, "Looking down your nose" - has its origins exactly in this nonverbal display. If she wishes to capture more of the electorate - Hillary should stop this immediately.

Notice too that Mrs. Clinton is leaning backwards with her torso. This is also a very distancing body language configuration. It's disengaging and sends signals such as, "I don't really want to be here", "You're not important to me", "I don't like you", etc., variations of which are further nuanced by other simultaneous nonverbal signals and facial expressions. ON OCCASION many people will sit in this manner - yet Mrs. Clinton sits in like this virtually ALL THE TIME.

In addition, Hillary's fingers are intertwined. Depending on the other nonverbals with which this is clustered, it transmits feelings of closed-mindedness, arrogance, defensiveness and low emotional comfort (e.g., a seated fig leaf). If she had requested a chair with arms (making it much more natural to keep one's hands from touching), unlocked her ankles, sat slightly forward in her chair and leaned a bit forward with her head, neck and torso - Mrs. Clinton would be pleasantly surprised that she would find it much easier to smile naturally (with a sincere smile [Duchenne Smile]), project much more likability (and higher energy). Incredibly, sitting in such a forward and engaging way even engenders an increased fluidity of both thought and speech.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3567: Donald Trump's Most Common Social Smile (Pseudo-Smile) Variant

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3550: Robert Downey Jr. Auditions Jimmy Fallon

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3525: Kristen Bell Slaps a Reporter On "The Boss" Red Carpet (This was a PR Stunt)

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3453: Marco Rubio's Hyper-Alpha, Backfiring Body Language 

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

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


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3365: Carly Fiorina on "The View" - Destroying Likability and Lowering Charisma (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Carly Fiorina was a guest yesterday on The View. From a body language perspective, Ms. Fiorina tends to perform at a significantly higher level within the context of a debate. In such settings she sounds, looks and acts more Presidential. However during interviews, Ms. Fiorina does significantly worse.

Carly has a strong tendency to increase her blinking - both in frequency and duration. This behavioral pattern is more pronounced (and of course is also much more visible) when she's the only one (except the interviewer) on camera. This excessive and longer duration blinking is absolutely polarizing and rapport destroying. It projects arrogance and a condescending emotional tone - which does not win voter's hearts.

Another very significant nonverbal mistake throughout this video - is that Carly Fiorina barely uses her hands - this is a profound mistake. While it is certainly possible to use one's hands and arms excessively (à la Donald Trump) and in an incongruous manner - during this segment Ms. Fiorina's hands are only visible for four very brief moments. The less we see of a person's hands - the less we trust them and the less likability they emit (and Carly needs likability). Moreover, here Fiorina seems to be deliberately avoiding the use of her hands. This has the added effect of causing the movements of her head, neck, shoulders and eyelids to amplify - almost like a person would be if they were trying to express themselves or even struggling - while they were handcuffed. Her increased head/neck/shoulder/eyelid movements are excessive - "feel" unnatural to most people - and are off-putting and project defensiveness.

Another way of thinking of this, is that person who has charisma - never has diminished hand usage for any significant duration of time. And low charisma never wins elections.

The net result of this nonverbal cluster is that Ms. Fiorina is destroying rapport and losing the electorate.

See also:

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3310: Carly Fiorina's response to Donald Trump's, "Look at that Face!"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3312: Carly Fiorina's Retort to Trump - Best Moment of the Debate

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3317: Scott Walker Drops Out of Presidential Race - A Classic Body Language Tell

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3264: Hillary Clinton, Likability, Perceived Trustworthiness and Body Language  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3302: Hillary Clinton, the Recent MSNBC Interview, Low Likability and Diminished Trustworthiness

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3241: Trump - a Hyper-Alpha Donald vs. a Kinder, Gentler Version - Body Language and Likability 


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3335: The Presidential Race, Electability, Facial Hair and Ben Carson (PHOTOS)

The fact that Ben Carson has facial hair places him at a steep disadvantage for winning the Republican nomination or the White House. Although some may call it purely statistical - the correlation of the presence of facial hair to a lower electability is not to be ignored.

Moreover, the higher the political office, the less likely it is that a man will win the seat if he has facial hair. The incidence of facial hair World-wide is 50%. In the United States, Europe, Canada and Pacific Rim Countries it's 33% (with some regional variability).

Incredibly, the last U.S. President to be elected with any facial hair was William Taft in 1908 - 107 years ago.

Of the male U.S. Senators, house members and governors, typically only between 1 and 11% of them will have facial hair. Within this population - the Senators have the least - and the House Members are closure to 11% with the male governors intermediate. This is even true with city council and school board elections - although the phenomenon is not as strong when the political office is lower on the food chain.

There's something hard-wired into the human brain (a fact every neurosurgeon should know) when it comes to facial hair, likability and trust. Human children (who are preverbal) will strongly prefer men without facial hair. This is true even when viewing both images of their own fathers (despite having become accustomed to them with facial hair).

Although there is, of course, a waxing and waning of facial hair styles/trends throughout the decades - as well as some occupational exceptions to this rule (e.g. college professors, baseball pitchers and many other athletes' roles [but not all, e.g. - golf]) - this correlation of low trust with facial hair is dramatic and should not be ignored. Arrest photos of men have a significantly higher incidence of facial hair - and in the courtroom there is notably higher rate of guilty verdicts.

Dr. Carson - if you want to win, shave. Shave now.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3334: Kevin McCarthy, Judy McCarthy and the Representative's Decision to Withdraw from Pursuing the Position as Speaker of the House

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3332: Ben Carson's New Book Cover is a Rapport Destroyer

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3283: Trivago Guy - It's Not His Wardrobe or Haircut - It's the Body Language Stupid!

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3275: Carly Fiorina, The Republican Debate and Likability (or not)

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3207: Vladimir Putin, Pope Francis and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3241: Trump - a Hyper-Alpha Donald vs. a Kinder, Gentler Version - Body Language and Likability 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3264: Hillary Clinton, Likability, Perceived Trustworthiness and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2930: Rand Paul and "Likability" - Building vs. Destroying It 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3302: Hillary Clinton, the Recent MSNBC Interview, Low Likability and Diminished Trustworthiness (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Hillary Clinton recently gave an interview with Andrea Mitchell on MSNBC. It was just her third national interview since announcing her candidacy for President.

Mrs. Clinton has a lifetime of political experience. And despite the fact she didn't win the democratic nomination for President in 2008, Hillary has had a lot of victories. Much like a successful attorney, physician, teaching or corporate professional, etc. - very often once a person has fairly high level of political success, their behavior up to that point becomes validating - even thought a fair amount of is not necessarily good. Thus it also becomes significantly solidified and difficult to change (e.g., What will get me further is just more of what got me to this level - right? Wrong.).

With respect to increasing her chances of winning the Oval Office - this of course doesn't mean that Mrs. Clinton needs to change everything, but she does very much fall into this success-habit-validation trap. We all do it to some degree. This phenomenon may prevent us from improving - and even seeing our weaknesses. Moreover when you're high in any given food-chain, your subordinates become very hesitant in speaking truth to power - and like you - they largely won't even see these faults.

It's no secret that Mrs. Clinton has problems with her likability and trustworthiness. She's hit a plateau here and has even experienced declines.

One (of many) nonverbal faux pas that Hillary (and many others) commits is opening their eyelids too widely during conversation, interviews and speeches. It's extremely crucial to note that she displays this illustrator chronically. Nearly every time she's trying to emphasize an issue - Mrs. Clinton's eyes open wide. This is NOT natural and leaves people emotionally uncomfortable. It's somewhat analogous to, when with the written language - a person places multiple exclamation marks at the end of a sentence. They do so when they feel their words lack sincerity. Simultaneous with the widely opened eyes, we also see elevated eyebrows and forehead musculature (the entire width of forehead).

Note: we all make this same expression from time to time, but it's the chronic nature here that is important.

The over-use of this eyelid-eyebrow-forehead nonverbal cluster backfires - and will be interpreted as patronizing, condescending and even arrogant. While certainly not the only influencing factor, Mrs. Clinton must absolutely stop this if she is to improve her likability and perception of honesty with the electorate. No healthy person wants to feel as if someone is talking-down to them. Mrs. Clinton or any politician/"leader" need to be extremely aware of when they're sending such signals - and Hillary is not.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3301: Sarah Palin re: Bush vs. Trump regarding speaking Spanish - "When you're here, let's Speak American!"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3202: FIFA's Jack Warner Cites 'The Onion' in His Own Defense - Insincerity Body Language Tells 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2945: Roger Goodell's Interview regarding Ray Rice - Denies NFL saw Video before Monday 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3053: Giada De Laurentiis, Insincere Smiles and Divorce


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3241: Trump - a Hyper-Alpha Donald vs. a Kinder, Gentler Version - Body Language and Likability (PHOTOS)

Donald Trump's personality is generally very confrontational. Some would describe it as an "in your face" style - while others would label him with having narcissistic personality disorder.

Here, "The Donald" is shown in two contrasting hand-arm gestures (aka "illustrators"). Prior to the primaries, you may notice that virtually all candidates will use alpha - and even hyper-alpha body language displays much more frequently. After the primary, although such nonverbals are still used, their frequency diminishes. This behavior is virtually all subconsciously driven and done so in an effort to draw distinctions between their competitors who have very similar political ideologies. Yet the hyper-alpha body language always backfires. Rather than building rapport, hyper-alpha nonverbal signals destroy it. Only those who already are aligned with the candidate will be attracted to such behavior - all others will be alienated.

Below Mr. Trump is shown pointing with a "palms-up" illustrator. This accomplishes the goal of drawing visual attention ("pointing") - yet it does so in a rapport-building manner. While still demonstrating assertiveness and authority it has none of the negative side-effects of the above displayed index finger pointing (aka forefinger point). Narcissistic personalities have difficulty grasping and accomplishing this important distinction. What "feels right" to them - has the opposite emotional impact on others (for those who use such index finger pointing excessively [or even moderately] lack empathy and suffer an excess of ego). Index finger pointing is negatively received across all cultures.

A profound and almost never recognized benefit of a less aggressive/kinder hand-arm gesture - is its effect on the face. Tension in the hand will be mirrored on the face - as well as the emotional status. And a kinder, empathetic hand will produce a kinder face. This effect is greatly demonstrated in these two images. An astute person will recognize this hand-face relationship and use it as a biofeedback tool to regulate their emotions (there are of course many others).

While Donald Trump is currently enjoying a boost in the polls when compared with most of the 2016 republican presidential candidates - he is simply not likable. In order to win a presidential primary (let alone a general election) a candidate must be likable. And the largest component in the likability equation is body language.

Donald Trump will absolutely not win the republican nomination.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3240: Ariana Grande - Tongues, New Boyfriend, Donuts ... & Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3132: Ashley Judd responds to Twitter Troll Harassment - "I'm pressing charges"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2149:  Joe Biden - Losing Voters with the Double Index Finger Point -  A Faux Pas Nearly Every Time

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1918:  Vladimir Putin - Pointing with Pen Surrogates  Sharp vs. Blunt   

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3152: Hillary Clinton First Campaign Ad - "Getting Started"


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2016: Hillary Clinton, Roosevelt Island, Building Rapport and Body Language (PHOTOS)

Like any candidate, Hillary Clinton needs to build rapport in order to get votes. People may agree with your policies and these will have already won-over one's political base - yet to win elections and not just primaries, candidates must capture that middle 1/3 of the electorate. And swing voters will vote for those the LIKE - and then rationalize their decisions with intellectual wallpaper. We of course believe we're doing this the other way around, but we're all human beings and that's not the way we operate. In short, to win you must possess - and project - likability. Few politicians truly understand this much past a superficial (and insincere) smile. Both Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan knew this instinctively - however Hillary does not.

We turn our whole body - eyes, head, shoulders, hips and feet - towards those we like and/or those we respect. When you're running for high political office - the crowds are huge and of course you can't begin to get to everyone. It takes much more time and effort. You'll end up greeting less people. Yet you will build more rapport - much more. And those who don't get to shake your hand and look you in the eye, will do so vicariously. You'll win their votes. This is another profound version of quality vs. quantity and sincerity vs. veneer.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3214: Chris Pratt, Jurassic World, Bad Acting and a Body Language Red Flag

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3212: LeBron James stealing ball from Stephen Curry - then pointing at his Temple

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2426:  Remembering Ronald Reagan,  "Mr. Gorbachev, Tear Down This Wall"  Body Language at the Brandenburg Gate

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2861: Ronald Reagan and Variations on Thumbs

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2577: Bill Clinton and Terry McAuliffe - Alpha and Beta Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2379:  Bill Clinton's Speech at the  George W. Bush Presidential Library Opening  Body Language of Former and Current President

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2973: Rand Paul's Body Language Tells Us His Plan B for 2016

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3134: Ted Cruz to Announce his Candidacy for 2016 Presidential Race - Why He Will Never Win 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3177: Carly Fiorina Announces her Candidacy for the 2016 Presidential Race - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Today on Good Morning America, Carly Fiorina surprised almost no one with the announcement of her candidacy for the 2016 Presidential Race. In order to win any party nomination, let alone the Oval Office, a person must have more than articulate, a platform and money. They MUST be likable. This certainly doesn't mean they should abandon their principles. Yet regardless of whether or we agree or not with their politics - if a person isn't likable - we won't vote for them. Very few politicians understand this simple but profoundly principle.

Many an intelligent and otherwise adept professional completely misses the boat when it comes to body language. A huge majority of likability is dependent on nonverbal signals. A person may say "all the right things", sure - however it doesn't "feel" right unless their body language also has a friendly and natural feeling.

At the beginning of this video, Carly Fiorina exhibits extended and multiple eyelid closures (aka prolonged blinking). This is in no way normal blinking. And while increased blinking frequency is associated with anxiety, this is not the cause here.

This image was captured from the above video as the Republican candidate answers the word, "Yes" - in response to Stephanopoulos' question, "Are you running for President?" (Her eyelids are closed during this entire word "Yes".)

Here the former Hewlett-Packard CEO says, ".... I think I'm the Best Person for the Job ..." (Her eyes are also closed for these two words).

She also displayed multiple other extended and rapid blinking early during her these associated sentences.

This nonverbal signal of prolonged blinking in this context (What other nonverbal and paralanguage signs do you note here?) sends strong signals of arrogance and patronizing emotional tones. She's unmistakably distancing herself from her electorate by doing this. She's losing votes far before the primary. 

Today's take home point: We only vote with our intellect after our emotions tell us a candidate is likable. After likability is established - the rest of the "decision" is primarily rationalization. And never forget that without congruent and likable body language - nothing the person says will win over a voter.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3175: Box of Lies with Scarlett Johansson - Body Language Tells

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3106: Amazing Selfie Proposal - Body Language Components of Surprise

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2933: Will Hayden ("Sons of Guns") Arrested - Body Language of His Mug Shot

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2150:  Body Language Advice for  President Obama and Governor Romney in Tonight's Debate

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2930: Rand Paul and "Likability" - Building vs. Destroying It (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

It is no big surprise that Rand Paul wants the Oval Office in 2016. And whether it's the Republican nomination - or the Presidential election, those who love him will vote for him and the electorate who despises him will vote for the democrat (or another republican in the primary). Yet that still leaves one-third (or even as much as 45%) of the American public in the middle.

The most important factor by far which governs the decisions of the middle-third of the public is likability. And while every pollster measures this, few campaign managers take the distinction any further. Within the minds of these swing-voters, likability can be further broken down into three components:

• Nonverbal Behavior
• Vocal Qualities
• Verbal content

Of these three, nonverbal behavior is the most important - followed by vocal qualities (paralanguage) and least of all (and ironic to most) are the candidate's words. So very little time, energy and effort are put into improving their nonverbal and vocal qualities - yet these will determine the results of the election. The same is true in the vast majority of times when it comes to making a sale, convincing a jury (or a judge), the bedside manner of a physician, de-escalating a confrontation, negotiations, dating,e personal disputes, etc.

During this interview, Senator Rand Paul is displaying several key body language signals which destroy likability. The conventional steeple (here displayed rather elevated and thus amplifying its effect), when used very sparingly and just for a second or two - can transmit alpha qualities, assertiveness and leadership strength. Paul, however, uses this for much too long (as do most who use it) and thus it backfires transmitting feelings of arrogance as well as condescending and patronizing attitudes.

Another up-regulator of these negative emotions which Senator Paul also is displaying here, is the central forehead contraction (CFC). When not used in the context of emotional or physical pain - either for oneself or for another person, persons or animal(s) - (e.g. sincere empathy) - the CFC is consistent with arrogance, incredulity and/or contempt.

What other body language configurations is Rand Paul using which are destroying both his likability and rapport?

See also:

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2328:  Senator Rand Paul's Body Language -  Pens, Lies and Filibusters -  Finger to Mouth Surrogates

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2333:  Sen. Rand Paul at 2013 CPAC -  Body Language & variations on the Lip Purse

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2498:  McKenzie Morgan, 17 Year-Old Solo Pilot Walks Away From Crash Partial Mouth and Neck of Fear Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis & Self-Test No. 2252:  How Self-Aware are you?  Plane Crashes with Collateral Damage to Cars & Highway 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2473:  Anthony Weiner & Huma Abedin Part III  When Shoulder-to-Shoulder is Broken 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2490:  Hillary Clinton and the Two-Handed Point - The American Bar Association, Body Language and Variations on a Theme 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2891: James Garner and ... Why was he so well liked? (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

James Garner passed away yesterday at his home in Brentwood, California. He was best known for his Television roles as Brent Maverick in the 1950's Western-comedy "Maverick" and later in the 70s as Jim Rockford in "The Rockford Files". He also acted in numerous films such as "The Note Book" (2004), "Murphy's Romance" (1985, and nominated for an Academy Award as Best Actor), "Victor Victoria" (1982), and "The Great Escape" (1963).

Garner was much beloved - not only for his acting but also for his personality off-screen. The most significant reason for this was his sincerity (e.g. a high sincerity quotient). When we proclaim (whether we know the craft or not) another as a "good actor" - what we really mean (whether they are fully cognizant of it or not) is that their words, their vocal qualities and their body language are all highly congruent. It is significantly challenging for many to memorize and deliver lines from a script. Fewer still can do so with the added component of even modestly believable vocal qualities (paralanguage such as tone, pitch, pauses, cadence, rhythm, crescendo/decrescendo, volume, etc.). And a very few can deliver their lines, highly compatible vocal qualities - along with congruent nonverbal signals. A person who can simultaneously perform all three on stage, film, or television is referred to as an excellent actor. When a person lives this trifecta in everyday life - we call them sincere. James Garner did both. Very few will dissect out these three components (and when we have knowledge of their history we may of course and a fourth - their "actions" - yet very often we don't have the luxury of this past information).

The ability to evaluate a person's nonverbal, verbal and vocal qualities - in real time - and to discern whether they are congruent or divergent will not only make you better at directing movies - but it will also improve the jury selection process, sales, threat assessment, business transactions, negotiations, de-escalation, bed-side manner, vetting, romance/dating and all other endeavors that involve two or more people.

Thank you James Garner, my condolences to your loved-ones.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2890: Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Michael Collins and Barack Obama - Alpha and Beta

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2459:  Was Eliot Spitzer Sincere?  Apology, Sincerity and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2438:  Sincere Surprise Body Language  Three Year Old Receives Brain Stem Implant and Hears for the First Time

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2482:  Alex Rodriguez's Sincerity  Body Language of a One-Sided Smile

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2705: Congressman Michael Grimm Apology - Sincere or Not? Body Language Tells 

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2887 Derek Jeter, Smiles, Laughter and Body Language Nuance 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2063: Mitt Romney and Ed Miliband - Under Used and Backfiring Uses of Hands

Mitt Romney has the very bad nonverbal habit of not using his hands enough or as well as many politicians with much less experience. This adds to his relative inability to develop rapport with the masses and detracts from what pollsters quantify as "likability". From a body language standpoint this is no surprise. It also makes a person "feel" less trustworthy. In fact, if a person suddenly stops using his hands/arms as illustrators during a part of a speech, conversation, deposition, testimony, jury selection, etc. - particularly when they were displayed before and after - this is highly consistent with elevated anxiety (since Mitt appears to have forgotten his host's name - note how he addresses him as "Mr. Leader" at the 0:01 mark), and depending on the other nonverbals, a possible indicator of deception. 

Mitt Romney chronically underuses his hands/arms. Many speech coaches from years past, with no scientific data would routinely give such advice based only on anecdote and personal bias. Certainly hand/arm illustrators can be over-used or inappropriately used too. Enter Ed Miliband ....

The leader of the United Kingdom's Labour Party, Ed Miliband, throughout much of the first portion of this video does his best Angela Merkel imitation and positions his hands in a prominent low and classic conventional steeple (see: Analysis #901: The Over-Used Steeple - Backfire in Berlin). While this MAP (manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier) body language does project authority and power, it must be used judiciously. Most people over-use it (a' la the German Chancellor) and thus it backfires and sends signals of arrogance and condescension. It is best used as a scalpel and choreograph exactly when to display this nonverbal - at key moments in a speech, negotiation, conversation, etc.

See also:

Analysis # Mitt Romney's Response to Supreme Court's Decision on "Obamacare"

Analysis # 913: Low Confidence, Low Trust and Demure

Analysis # 1553: Ann & Mitt Romney's Body Language at NRA Meeting

Analysis # 2062: Mitt Romney in London Speaking out the Side of His Mouth - Anxiety-Insincerity or Worse

Analysis # 2052: Dialing Up Empathy and Sincerity - Mitt Romney & Barack Obama's Response to Aurora, Colorado "Batman Shooting"

Analysis # 2046: Romney, Sincerity, Truth and Bain Capital

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

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