Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3014: Vladimir Putin - Odd Man Out Down Under at the G20 Summit (PHOTOS)

This image (and close-up below) shows Vladimir Putin arriving for the G20 Summit in Brisbane, Australia two days ago. He did not receive the same level of dignitary-greeting at the airport compared with the other heads-of-state. It may have something to do with the other World Leaders giving him flack for Russia's participation in the fighting in eastern Ukraine ... or the Annexation of the Crimea before that .... or the downing of Malaysia Airlines MH17 ... or his stationing of Russian Warships off the Australian Coast ... or the numerous near-misses recently involving Russian military aircraft in various countries' airspace.

The Russian President's primary emotion is that of anger - albeit suppressed. His mid-face is tightened as partially evidenced by his nostril flaring and tension in his "mustache area". There is also considerable tightening and stretching of his lips. Vladimir's jaw is clenched as well which results in the bunching up of tissue beneath his lower lip - a "Peri-Lip Bulge". Putin's eyelids are partially closed with considerable tension of his lower lids. This clustering of nonverbal signals is indicative of suppressed anger.

What's uncommon about this expression is the anger suppression is accompanied by a Central Forehead Contraction (CFC). In this nonverbal cluster-context a CFC indicates a "Seeking of Validation".  Vladimir's angry - yes, yet being simultaneously out of his element and because he's the odd man out - he's is seeking approval. This is a very common behavior and expression for alpha personalities who are out of their comfort zone and trying to look important and composed.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3012: Tony Abbott No Shirtfronts Vladimir Putin at APEC - (yet he buttons-up) - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2843: Barack Obama & Vladimir Putin in Normandy - Body Language Tells

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. 3010: McStay Family Murders - Body Language Signs of a Sociopath 

Nonverbal Communication Quiz-Analysis No. 2869: Barack Obama's Executive Action on Immigration Reform, The Rose Garden 30 June 2014 - Sincere or Insincere?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1858:  What the Eyes Do - Transitioning from Mild to Severe Anger

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3012: Tony Abbott "No Shirtfronts" Vladimir Putin at APEC - (yet he buttons-up) - Body Language Tells (PHOTO)

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Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott is on record saying he would "shirtfront" Vladimir Putin regarding Russia's alleged involvement, albeit indirectly, in the missile-downing of Malaysian Airlines MH17 over eastern Ukraine in July 2014. The colloquial, "To Shirtfront", is an Australian Rules football term meaning "to head-on charge aimed at bumping an opponent to the ground" - and although Mr. Abbott was of course speaking metaphorically - it remains to be seen if something close to a diplomatic equivalent has been performed.

The above photo was taken at the APEC Summit four days ago in Beijing - and although it is a still image, much can be gleaned from Tony's and Vladimir's nonverbals. Mr. Abbott is in the process of buttoning his jacket, and although heads-of-state are always concerned with their image and thus being photographed - buttoning one's jacket during a conversation very often indicates a closed-mindedness and/or disbelief in what the other party is saying (e.g. If you're a sales person - it's one example of an absolute wrong time to attempt to close a sale). Also Mr. Abbott's eyebrows are lowered and although it's difficult to fully discern from this angle, appear to be somewhat drawn together. His nostrils are flared, there is mild mid-facial tension, and his eyelids are nearly closed. This nonverbal cluster-context indicates that whatever explanation the Russian President is giving him, Mr. Abbott is not buying it. He is feeling primarily incredulous with some significant anger component in this moment.

Mr. Putin's forehead is not fully visible, although a mild "Central Forehead Contraction" (CFC) is seen here. Together with a mouth smile, the CFC is consistent with incredulity, arrogance, contempt - or insincerity (depending on the other nonverbals with which it is clustered). This is very bad expression for any politician to adopt - and Mr. Putin is certainly not alone in such bad acting - for many politicians make this expression (from every single political stripe) while attempting to project empathy - yet almost no one can ever consistently and accurately "act" empathetic. Chronic insincerity together with low or absent empathy equals a sociopath personality.

The G20 Summit which has just begun in Brisbane will undoubtedly bring some more telling body language.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2771: Australian PM Tony Abbott regarding Malaysian Airlines MH370 Search - Body Language Misinterpretations and Regret

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No 2893: Petro Poroshenko - Downed Malaysia Air MH17 - like 9/11 & Pan Am Flight 103

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2892: Alexander Borodai - Donetsk's People's Republic Prime Minister (Pro-Russian Separatist Leader) interview with Chris Cuomo regarding Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3011: Jennifer Lawrence on David Letterman - Tongue-in-Cheek Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3009: Vladimir Putin, Chivalry and China's first lady Peng Liyuan

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3010: McStay Family Murders - Body Language Signs of a Sociopath

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2896: Hillary Clinton - Vladimir Putin Bears Some Responsibility for the Downing of Malaysia Air Flight MH17 (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Here Mrs. Clinton (clearly showing her desires for 2016) tells Fareed Zakaria and the rest of World that she believes Vladimir Putin bears at least some of the responsibility for the downing of Malaysia Airline MH17 by Pro-Russian separatists in Eastern Ukraine.

When any leader - (political or otherwise) is speaking (to one or to millions) they should be very aware of their nonverbal signals - yet most are considerably unaware. Some of these signs are very alpha, and others are considerably beta - while some are a good blend (These are known as alpha-beta hybrids).  

Alpha body language projects strength, leadership and assertiveness. Beta body language sends signals of low emotional comfort, submissiveness and acquiescence. Many "leaders" who use alpha nonverbals tend to over-use them - and thus transmit arrogance and condescending feelings. Others of course use beta signals too dramatically or frequently (or just at the wrong time) and therefore show their Achilles heels'.

One solution to this conundrum is to become very aware of one's body language and to never be too alpha or too beta - in either magnitude or frequency. Another way of approaching this problem is by utilizing what is rarely spoken about and yet extremely effective - "Alpha-Beta Hybrids" - two of which are discussed below.

At first glance these illustrators may look close to identical - however when you take the time to view the video you will see that they're considerably different in their dynamics. 

Towards the end of this segment (approximately 0:49 - 0:52) Hillary Clinton displays a "Basketball steeple". It is named this because it's as if the person is holding an invisible basketball. Here, the former U.S. Secretary of State has her hands configured somewhat closer together (as if she was holding a large grapefruit instead). When seated, many will use this and other nonverbals with less amplitude.



The basketball steeple is a fantastic example of an alpha-beta hybrid -for it projects assertiveness, strength and decisiveness - without being patronizing or arrogant.

A few seconds later (during 0:52 - 1:01), Mrs. Clinton changes her hand position to the "Advancing Fortress". This usually is seen with fingers closed together and the tips of the hands pointed towards each other. There is nearly always an up-and-down motion to the hands and arms (which move in unison) as they advance forward (away from the speaker and towards the other person/audience.



Although the advancing fortress is an outstanding alpha-beta hybrid, it is seen even less frequently than the basketball steeple.

What other nonverbals in this video does the 2016 Presidential hopeful demonstrate which convey classic beta body language? What are some pure-alphas (non hybrids)?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2895: "Fifty Shades of Grey" Trailer - If Christian Grey was a real person ..... 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2783: Hillary Clinton asked again about 2016

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2855: Hillary Clinton, 2016 Presidential Race and Duping Delight

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2888: Hillary Clinton, Jon Stewart and Destroying Rapport

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2749: President Obama, Ukraine's Interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk and an Alpha-Beta Hybrid - Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2827: Caroline Wozniacki and Rory McIlroy - She was the Alpha, He was the Beta

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2877: Zac Efron and Michelle Rodriguez Dating - Thumbs Forward Arms Akimbo

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No 2893: Petro Poroshenko - Downed Malaysia Air MH17 - like 9/11 & Pan Am Flight 103 (Lockerbie Bombing) - (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Petro Poroshenko, the President of Ukraine, was interviewed by Christiane Amanpour yesterday. He said that the downing of Malaysia Airlines MH17 was no different than the events of 9/11 or the Terrorist destruction that brought down Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland in 1988.

Although he (as the rest of us) has every right to feel angry - President Poroshenko is in a leadership position and thus his body language (along with his words and vocal qualities) carry tremendous impact.

When a person puts their hands together in a prayer-appearing configuration (ergo "Pseudo-Prayer") for anything more than a second or two (during a particularly important part of a speech or discussion - and with a congruent facial expression) - it sends emotional signals of arrogance.

When the Pseudo-Prayer is accompanied by the additional component of a vertical chopping motion (as Poroshenko does here) - it is even more patronizing. 

Many people will over-use alpha body language - and President Poroshenko uses it much too long here.

It's a leader's job to build rapport and coalitions - not destroy them.

President Poroshenko presumably has good intentions here - yet the
"Pseudo-Prayer and Hand-Chop" nonverbal signal is condescending and he should have never used it.






See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2892: Alexander Borodai - Donetsk's People's Republic Prime Minister (Pro-Russian Separatist Leader) interview with Chris Cuomo regarding Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2830: Petro Poroshenko, Ukrainian Elections and an Hyper-Alpha Body Language Signal

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2814: Ukraine, Pro-Russian Separatists, Bilateral Eyelid Closure and Emotional Processing - Body Language Tells

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1083:  Brewer's MAPs Flag Foreboding

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1181:  Helle Thorning-Schmidt & her False Praying Gesture 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2892: Alexander Borodai - Donetsk's People's Republic Prime Minister (Pro-Russian Separatist Leader) interview with Chris Cuomo regarding Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Alexander Yurevich Borodai (Александр Юрьевич Бородай) is the "self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic" (an eastern portion of what most consider Ukraine). Yesterday he was interviewed by Chris Cuomo regarding the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17. The above video is a substantial fraction of that video. What follows is a partial body language analysis of Alexander Borodai.

From 0:36 - 0:39, Borodai displays a head tilt backwards with an eye-roll.

Rolling of the eyes such as this is a very conscious and deliberate contempt display. He wants to flaunt his contempt.

Although Mr. Borodai perhaps has an underlying asymmetric mouth configuration when he speaks, in this video he has multiple examples of additional asymmetry.


 1:52

 At 1:53

Note that when compared to the image above taken about a second earlier, Borodai's additional left facial contraction in this image exhibits a slight increased eyelid closure, increased left contraction of his mustache area, and increased nostril flare. These are all significant for the nonverbal signals of contempt.

This image taken at 2:14 during the above video displays both contempt and disgust.

The dramatic backwards head tilt - with his proverbial "nose in the air" is highly significant for disgust.

Continued display of contempt at is seen here at 3:42. Note throughout most of this interview, Borodai has partial eyelid closure - which acts as an amplifier for the emotions of disgust, anger and contempt.

At 3:59 Mr. Borodai's eyebrows are vectored downward as his mouth foreshortens and his upper lip thins in another clear expression of anger.

What else is seen here which signifies anger?

For about 2.5 seconds (from about 4:06 to 4:08.5), Mr. Borodai's eyelids exhibit prolonged full closure. This display signifies very strongly the emotion contempt.







 

Contempt exists whenever a person feels that he/she is better than another person or group of people. It is extremely caustic to both the recipient and those who project it.

Note the relative lack of hand and arm illustrators by Mr. Borodai during this interview. This characteristic taken in isolation is consistent with a significant elevation of anxiety. Much of the time his hands are placed flat on the tops (anterior surface) of his thighs. This additional sign is highly significant and further indicator of anxiety. And although his legs cannot be seen directly, their position can be appreciated indirectly by the configuration of his arms (which are as stated earlier resting on them). Borodai's legs are closer together vs. Cuomo's - and indeed though Cuomo is unarmed and in a war zone, most of Mr. Borodai's body language is significantly beta to Mr. Cuomo's alpha. Cuomo is more confident. Conversely, Borodai has low emotional comfort and has contempt, disgust and anger directed at Cuomo and his line of questioning.

The rate of Alexander Borodai's blinking throughout much of the interview was significantly increased above normal. This is another strong anxiety indicator.

Note that from 3:34 - to 3:44, Borodai had virtually no eye contact with Cuomo as he was explaining about the fog of war and his effort to recover the bodies. Eye contact often drops dramatically during the act of lying.

From 2:28 - 2:32 while he was speaking about the treatment of the bodies, Borodai displayed the low, conventional steeple (tips of fingers and thumbs of each hand touching each other). This was a strong signal hyper-alpha display - however because this was prolonged and used with an additional chopping motion - it became indicative of arrogance and a condescending mindset. This small portion of the his story (a decapitated body that fell through a roof and landed on a woman's bed) was probably true (a few seconds later, beginning at 2:33 he uses the alpha-beta hybrid illustrator of a basketball steeple) - but he is over-compensating with his confidence during this "slice of truth" - because the remainder of his story is scattered liberally with deception.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2891: James Garner and ... Why was he so well liked?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2811: Jason and David Benham are Dropped from HGTV - Body Language of Subtle Contempt, Anger & Disgust
 
Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2786: Jewish Community Center Shooter - Frazier Glenn Cross, Jr - A Very Common Body Language Display of "Hate Crimes", Mass Shootings and Terrorism

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2769: Smiling Out of Context in a Mass Shooter - T.J. Lane's Body Language

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1496:  Tiger Woods' Disgust & Biofeedback

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2533: Angela Merkel's Low Steeple "Trademark" - A Major Body Language Mistake

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2753: Malaysia Airlines Flight 370's Pilot Zaharie Ahmad Shah, Body Language

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