Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2881: LeBron James and What He Learned About the Way He Switched Teams - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Many believe Lebron James is the best basketball player in the World, and today he announced (in a much more humble manner vs. four years ago) that he is leaving the Miami Heat and going back home to Cleveland to play once more for the Cavaliers.

In this interview of about a year ago with Rachel Nichols, Lebron displayed multiple examples of the nonverbal phenomenon known as a microexpression. While multiple different emotions can be conveyed via microexpressions - these were indicative of contempt. Below one of these is examined in context. 

Beginning at 0:21, Nichols asks, "Even if you don't know what you're going to do - what have you learned since the last time you switched teams ..."

James: "Right."

Nichols continues, " ... that will inform how you handle things this time?"

James, "I mean y, y, y, you learn from your mistakes, you know and ah, and that's something I've been able to do. That's something I've lived with - and ya' know, when an opportunity comes upon, if I'm in that position again, I'll be able to handle it much better."

During the end of "that's" and the first portion of "something" (highlighted above in red with image captured below), James displays a clear microexpression of contempt. How many other examples of this nonverbal tell do you see in this short video? What other significant body language tells by Nichols or James are present here?

These three images are all taken less than 0.5 seconds during the 0:33 - 0:34 segment.

Note the tightening of the cheek muscle on Mr. James left side.

The left corner of his mouth pulls out and up and his mustache are on the left is also contracting.

Lebron's left nostril also flares.

Closer to the end of the contempt microexpression.

While the partial (and near complete) closure of the eyelids are not necessary for contempt (or disgust and on occasion lower levels of anger) - this partial closure acts an amplifier for these emotions. 







In summary, Lebron James' multiple microexpressions of contempt are very probably self-directed due to the way he handled his own very public (and many feel narcissistic) announcement when he moved to Miami in 2010.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2880: Bowe Bergdahl & Badruddin Haqqani Photo - What Does Body Language Tell Us?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2834: LeBron James, Lance Stevenson and False Intimacy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2738: LeBron James - Black Mask vs. Clear Mask, Body Language of Trust

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2284:  LeBron James in The White House -  A Fundamental Body Language Mistake

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2442:  Nancy Pelosi's Subtle Contempt Display  Body Language Regarding "Who Cares?" Retort

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 
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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2819: Erik Spoelstra, Loose Forward Lip Purse and Clandestine Disagreement (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

In the pregame Q & A session before game 5 between the Miami Heat and the Brooklyn Nets, Miami coach Erik Spoelstra didn't answer any questions - because none were asked.

The above short video is packed with many Nonverbal Signals. How many do you see?

During the 0:10 - 0:15.5 segment (isolated in the image below), Coach Spoelstra displays a "Loose Forward Lip Purse". This is a very reliable body language signal indicating a person perceives him or herself as a relative alpha in the company of relative beta personalities - and in the midst of clandestine disagreement. Often there is a great disparity between what is said and what is being thought and/or felt in that moment. It also indicates a belief that there is a reasonable chance of success of a plan of action/idea, etc.

Most of the time when a loose forward lip purse is displayed - one will rarely have the opportunity to see the person's plan of action played out so rapidly. In the above video however, we see Spoelstra immediately act out his idea. He gets up and walks out without any questioned asked - and thus no need for answering.

Thus in the business, legal, political or sales world - when the loose forward lip purse is seen - know that there is a great disparity between what is said and what is being felt. Take heed.

How many "Loose Forward Lip Purses" did you miss today?

See also:

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2817: Rep. Joe Garcia Picks His Ear & Eats it - What his Body Language Really is Saying

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2638: North Korean Senior Official Chang Song-taek (aka Jang Sung-thaek) Executed, Body Language Tells

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1151:  Xi Jinping's Subtle Pursed Lips

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2424:  Giada De Laurentiis on Conan O'Brien  Beautiful Teeth but Insincere Smiles and  Some Body Language Signals of Waning Love

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2809: Oscar Pistorius, Reeva Steenkamp and Kim Myers - Body Language Tells

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2738: LeBron James - Black Mask vs. Clear Mask, Body Language of Trust (PHOTOS)

LeBron James recently broke his nose and like all NBA players, he is wearing a protective face mask to protect it while it is healing. In the image above, he is pictured in the black mask which he wore in last night's game. Today the league formally asked him to switch to clear mask, and although he was not violating a rule, the Miami Heat star complied.

The less we see of a person, the less we trust them. This body language principle is particularly true when the face is covered. Depending on the other nonverbals with which it is clustered, it can also evoke fear. His appearance has evoked comparisons to Hannibal Lecter. And despite the fast pace of NBA play, the inability of the opposing players to see even subtle facial expressions gives him an unfair advantage (ergo comparisons to Kato and Batman) - although this is offset somewhat by his own teammates' diminished ability to see the same facial cues.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2284:  LeBron James in The White House -  A Fundamental Body Language Mistake

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1898:  Heat, Hugs & Head Surrogates

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2380:  Johnny Depp, The Lone Ranger & David Letterman  Tonto's Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2569: Hillary Clinton, Visibility, Trust and a Harbinger of 2016

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2591: Chris Christie on Romney's Campaign Vetting Leak, Body Language Tells 

Communication Analysis No. 2606: Brett Farve Displays Body Language of Fear about any Son Playing Football

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2338:  Why Does Keit Pentus-Rosimannus feel Fear?  Body Language of Estonia's Minister of Environment

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2349: Barack Obama, The Miami Heat & Chicago Bulls - POTUS's Body Language

Today President Barack Obama visited Miami, Florida where he is trying to drum up public support for a plan to reinvigorate the economy. He opened his speech with an "icebreaker" - joking with the audience regarding (his hometown) Chicago Bulls who recently defeated the Miami Heat - thus putting to an end the second longest win streak in NBA history (27 games).

If you're accustomed to watching Barack Obama's body language, you'll agree that he touches his head and face fare less often than most skilled public speakers. However, during the 0:06 - 0:10 segment of the above video (and in the first image below), he scratches the top of his head as he says, "...I,I,I know you guys aren't happy with my Chicago Bulls ...." This head-touching MAP (manipulator, adaptor, pacifier) nonverbal indicates a relatively pure form of anxiety. Touching/rubbing/scratching the top, back, or sides (as long as it does not involve or is close to the ear) of the head does NOT indicate deception. However ......

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2156:  Barack Obama's Body Language at Al Smith Charity Dinner - Comedy, White Lies and Facial Touching MAPs

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2175: Mayor Bloomberg, Body Language,  Hurricane Sandy and the NYC Marathon

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2033:  Lie Detection, Sergey Lavrov and Syria

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2176: James Carville's Body Language - Pennsylvania & Swing States

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2342: Barack Obama at Jerusalem Convention Center in Israel  What the President's Body Language Says to a Heckler

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 199:  When a Lie is Told, Heard or Visualized by ....Vladimir's Eye

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2298: Kylie & Kendall Jenner Do NOT Like Kanye West  Their Body Language Contradicts their Words - Spells another Split-up in Kim Kardashian's Future

During the 0:10 - 0:11 segment of the video, POTUS rubs his nose (imaged below). This nonverbal tell indicates deception. On some level there is a low-level form of lie taking place. The President is saying something like, "I can't believe I just used this line on this crowd" in his own self-talk/internal dialog - and yet still he did so. This is a form of a self-deception and emotional conflict. When such "white-lies" are told - most all recognize these as a form of hyperbole. Yet they are still lies - and his body language reveals such. Lower level lies often are manifested by MAPs committed with the non-dominant hand. Here the President reveals it's a small fib he's told to himself, because he uses his right hand. He tends to reveal whoppers to us with his left hand. You do the same if you're a southpaw.

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2284: LeBron James in The White House - A Fundamental Body Language Mistake

Yesterday, LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and the rest of the NBA's Miami Heat visited President Obama in The White House to acknowledge their 2012 Championship season. And while these two are maestros on the basketball court, their "situational awareness" was found wanting in the East Room. For both James and Wade turned their backs to the audience. 

There is a very strong tendency to turn towards someone who commands respect and given the fact that they were standing next to Barack - this is what they did. Rooted in our subconscious, we are directed to point our feet, hips torso, face and eyes towards a person who is an alpha - regardless of whether you agree with his/her political beliefs. Body language etiquette has an important caveat in front of an audience though. And whenever cameras are present (and they always are) even partially ignoring the audience is an error many times magnified - sometimes by a factor of thousands or millions.

Just as any other time when in front of an audience, a handshake (or hug/abrazo) should still be given FULLY facing the other person - however then one should turn their whole body to face the audience/camera. After greeting the President, LeBron and Dwayne would have been much better advised to instead face the crowd and make one or two momentary (a second or two) head/eye turns with arm-hand gestures towards their teammates on stage. This would have still acknowledged and respected them without dissing the audience/camera. Sharing the microphone with the rest of the Heat would have also been consistent with teamwork and leadership.

Never turn your back to the audience.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1898: Heat, Hugs & Head Surrogates

Negotiation Secret # 703: Bad Handshake?  Let me count the ways!

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 731: Body Language, a Beautiful Prime Minister and a  Bad Handshake - Yingluck Shinawatra

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1874: Bad Handshake - Political Prevalence

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

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1041:  Russia's Dominance over Syria

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1898: Heat, Hugs & Head Surrogates

When there is true love and sincere affection present during a hug, one head will touch the head of the other. This is even true across species. When the love-affection being expressed is towards a non-living thing - such as a trophy, there is often an emotional nonverbal display with a "head-surrogate". LeBron James (above), Chis Bosh and Dwayne Wade (both below) are exemplifying this body language behavior with the NBA's "Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy". It's as if they are hugging their wives/girlfriends.

In addition, note that the first two images were snapped with James' and Bosh's eyelids being closed. Ninety percent of our sensory input is visual. Forty-percent of the mass of the human brain is dedicated to the vision. Thus when we close our eyes, a bit more blood supply and oxygen get directed to the other four (non-visual) senses as well as the cognitive and emotional centers of our brains. During a sincere hug, we want to drink in the full emotion of the moment - to feel it at its maximum, so we close our eyes. If eyelid closure during hugs begins to wane or is lacking - it is a strongly negative signal of impending relationship failure.

See also:

Analysis # 1423: Head First Affection & Head Surrogate Hugs

Analysis # 992: Gabriell Giffords' and Barack Obama's Hug

Analysis # 771: Ann's & Mitt's Affectionate Hug

Analysis # 39: Affectionate vs. Non-Affectionate Hug

Analysis # 2: Body Language of Blake Lively & Penn Badgley Strongly Suggests an Impending Break-up in Near Future

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Negotiation Secret # 339: Don't Point at Me! I am not your child!

Yesterday at the NBA labor dispute negotiations, Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat is reported by many to have got very angry, stood up and shouted at Commissioner David Stern, "Don't point your finger at me, I'm not a (your) child!" No known video or photos exist of this incident at the time of this post (the above photo, discussed below, was taken at a different press conference), but if Stern did in fact point at Wade, or anyone else, it is not at all surprising that he had this or a similar reaction. In most all cultures it is consider a very insulting to point.

If you feel you must call attention to something and you feel the need to point - point with your whole hand, arm out stretched with your palm up and open with your fingers relaxed. This gesture is not thought of as pointing in the conventional sense. It will bring extra awareness to someone/something and not incite negative emotions - indeed it will often help to foster understanding and openness. Of course, your facial expressions/other body language as well as your words and tone should also be congruent.

In the above photo, Commissioner Stern is probably attempting to emulate a "Politicians Point", which has been popularized by candidates and office holders because it too, if used properly, has a very low inflammatory potential. Stern is not pulling it off though (see George Mitchell demonstrate it here - A Friendlier Way to Point). While pointing with two fingers (or a finger and thumb), is not as bad a pointing with a single finger, it still is incendiary and a gesture which should not be used.

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