Body Language Analysis No. 4230: Kim Jong-un, Donald Trump, and the Home Field Advantage - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTO)

On Thursday 8 March 2018, President Donald Trump announced he will meet with North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un. The next day, White House Press Secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders cast some considerable doubt on such a meeting when she said, "We're not going to have this meeting take place until we see concrete actions that match the words and the rhetoric of North Korea."

Kim Jong-un is accustomed to meeting on North Korean soil. Like Vladimir Putin, he skillfully uses his geography as a valuable "third negotiator" to very much give him the home field advantage. But to the careful observer, such behavior also betrays a weakness.

In the choreographed image above we see Kim Jong-un, third from the left - together in Pyongyang (the capital of North Korea) with five members of the South Korean envoy.

Note the position of Kim's feet. They are further apart than any of the men in the South Korean delegation. This indicates his more alpha emotional tone. Yet he's already on his home soil - why does he need to "feel" more alpha?

One reason Kim is standing like this - is because he (again, like Putin) is not very tall. He's trying to be more alpha/more confident - but he's over-compensating. Kim is listed at 5'7" - but he's actually one to two inches shorter (e.g., Donald Trump is listed at 6' 3", however, he's 2.5 inches shorter at 6' 0.5").

Kim Jong-un's hand position is also quite telling. Clasping one's hands behind one's back - while generally speaking, is certainly is more alpha - like garlic, it's often used in excess. In this particular setting, his hand position carries greater nuance. Here, his configuration sends signals of a non-compromising stance and a failure to disclose. In the context of a negotiation, an unwillingness to show one's hands is a reliable signal of a clandestine motive.

The photo is also uncentered and poorly-cropped. This quality makes it look odd, unprofessional, and unbalanced. Why did North Korea's minister of propaganda release this picture? Because Kim wanted the powerful symbolism of the image of the Sun above his head.

Intriguingly, his photo is also unbalanced because Kim Jong-un is - respect to the other individuals - not in the center. This positioning, choreographically at least, forces Kim has to "share his power".

Summary: This and nearly all pictures of Kim Jong-un are not candid - but highly choreographed. These betray his low confidence, low emotional comfort, over-compensatory behavior, and his obsessive need to control his public image and projection of power. He relies more heavily than most leaders on the "Third Negotiator" of home-field advantage. Thus, one prerequisite upon which Donald Trump should absolutely insist - is having the meeting either in a third country's capital - Reykjavík, Geneva, or Paris - or, more preferably, in Washington, D.C.


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See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4229: Sam Nunberg (Part II) • Roger Stone, Robert Mueller, and Lies

Body Language Analysis No. 4227: Sarah Huckabee Sanders comments regarding Stormy Daniels and President Trump

Body Language Analysis No. 4225: Sam Nunberg Interview - Part I • Roger Stone, Donald Trump, and Russia

Body Language Analysis No. 4223: Donald Trump to Republican Senator, "You're Afraid of the NRA"

Body Language Analysis No. 4136: Seminole Heights/Tampa Florida Serial Killer - Criminal Profiling 

Body Language Analysis No. 4006: Vladimir Putin and Melania Trump at the G20

Body Language Analysis No. 4058: Cara Mund, Miss America 2018

Body Language Analysis No. 4165: Kim Jong-un's New Years Faux Pas

Body Language Analysis No. 4051: Predicting Kim Jong-un's Behavior


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3400: Amy Poehler, Jimmy Fallon, Visual Recall and "Truth or Truth" - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

It's both entertaining and highly instructive to watch actors when studying body language. Why? Because it demonstrates that nonverbal behavior is so deeply ingrained, even professional actors/entertainers cannot suppress their real thought-feelings for long (and are typically no better than average at lying when they're "out of character")

In the video above, beginning at 2:55, Amy Poehler says, "... I'd like you to tell the truth. Truth or truth?"

Jimmy Fallon: "Well okay, truth."

Poehler: "What's in your pocket right now?"

Fallon then makes a suppressed smile, tilts his head slightly, begins to look up to his left, blinks (bilaterally) and then a looks up to his left for about 1.1 seconds (during 3:07 - 3:08) and then he blinks with both eyes once again during the realignment of his gaze back toward Poehler.

"A CD case of Bon Jovi's 2005 album, 'Have a nice day' - but inside is Green Day's 'Dookie' CD."

He then pulls the CD out his pocket revealing he had in fact, told the truth. 

If this had been a high level vetting, a deposition, Voir dire, negotiation, interview, etc., Ms. Poehler would do well to know that with the large majority of those who are right-hand dominant (as is Fallon), eyes that suddenly look up to their left during the mental process of visually recalling a person, event, object, etc.

If this had been a high-stakes person-to-person communication scenario, Poehler would have done well to note the timing and context of her question in relationship to this brief but telling momentary eye movement. While this behavior is not seen 100% of the time during visual recall, if a person is "normed" for this nonverbal, it's predictive value rises significantly.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3399: Donald Trump, a Bald Eagle and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3229: Amy Poehler, Seth Meyers and a SNL Reunion - REALLY!?! - a Body Language Trick of Comedians

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 - Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3272: Donald Trump, Megyn Kelly, Deception and Misogyny 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2745: Vladimir Putin Deception regarding Crimea

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3358: Hillary Clinton on Stephen Colbert - We Let the Banks Fail Next Time - Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3351: A Body Language Signal of Sincere Affection


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2906: President Obama, "... We Tortured Some Folks ..." (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

On Friday, 1 August 2014, President Obama held a press conference. Among other issues he acknowledged that in the aftermath of 9/11, "... we tortured some folks ...".

Throughout the vast majority of this segment of this press conference, Barack Obama was leaning on the lectern with his right elbow. This is rare for a President - and President Obama in particular. It sends signals of a beta emotional tone, low confidence, low commitment, a lackadaisical mindset and low priority. Because of this posture, President Obama was only able to use his right hand minimally and it remained largely obscured to the audience and viewing public. The less we see of a person's hands - the less we trust them (e.g., held beneath a table during depositions, voir dire, interrogations, negotiations, during witness testimonies in court, etc.).

This is extremely poor nonverbal behavior for anyone to exhibit - especially a head-of-state - and particularly on such an important topic. It is indeed rare for Mr. Obama. He did display similar body language (see below) against Mitt Romney in the 2012 campaign during the first debate - and that was the one in which most agree Romney beat him hands down.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2137:  Mitt Romney vs. Barack Obama - First Presidential Debate -  Barack's Bad Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2905: Paul George's Injury - a Common Body Language Signal of Emotional Processing

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2161:  Body Language of the Third Presidential Debate - Barack Obama and Mitt Romney -  What Did They Do With Their Hands  When They Weren't Talking?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2876: President Obama on Key Bridge regarding John Boehner's Lawsuit - "So Sue Me"

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2807: Barack Obama at 2014 White House Correspondents' Dinner - Body Language

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 337:  Low Confidence Stance - Michele Bachmann

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2842: Barack Obama in Normandy regarding Edward Snowden - Body Language Tells (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

While in Normandy, France for the 70th Anniversary of the Allies D-Day Invasion, Barack Obama was interviewed by Brian Williams.

Williams queried the President about Edward Snowden. At the 2:21 mark Williams begins, "... How has the United States been harmed by what he did?"

President Obama answers, "Well, I, I'm not going to comment on, on the particulars of the case. Ah, I will say the disclosures that we've seen, ah, had a very significant impact on, ah, our intelligence operations around the World [Evanescent Cheek Puff at 2:38] and a grave impact on a number of our diplomatic relationships, ah, compromised, ah, our ability to gain insight into, ah, some of the work our adversaries do ...."

This evanescent cheek puff is captured in this image. To fully appreciate this very short-lived nonverbal, it must be watched in the dynamic context of the video above.

Don't confuse this with the much more dramatic "Puffer Fish" (Do you know it's meaning?)

The evanescent cheek puff is a reliable indicator of anxiety and is often seen in scenarios where a person is otherwise very skilled at not revealing the true nature or magnitude of their feelings. It is very useful within negotiation-type scenarios. President Obama has significant worry over the State secrets that Snowden divulged as he expresses here verbally - and here his nonverbal signals are highly congruent with his answer.

What other body language is displayed in this video which gives us even greater insight into what Mr. Obama feels about - and how he is handling the "Snowden problem". About the Bowe Bergdahl - Taliban prisoner exchange?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis 2832: Is Edward Snowden Telling the Truth? - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2833: Edward Snowden & Neck of Fear - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2655: Edward Snowden's Alternative Christmas Message - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2647: Vladimir Putin regarding Edward Snowden, What Does the Russian Leader Think?

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1122:  Tiger, Pebble Beach and the Puffer Fish

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2511:  Barack Obama & Vladimir Putin  Handshake at 2013 G20 Meeting 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2840: Shailene Woodley, Jon Steward Show and a Body Language of Sexual Interest Display

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

Besides being beautiful and very creative, this sculpture in Glarus, Switzerland is configured in a very giving and rapport building way. Known as "The Caring Hand" with only the thumb and fingers visible in a loose, palm-up orientation with the implied palm below the ground and not visible - the hand appears to be holding the roots of the tree - and brilliantly the body language of this art projects an open, caring and giving - yet still authoritative emotional-tone.

In the world of flesh and blood, people who use this loose, palms-up body language when gesturing (known as "illustrators" as when used properly, they serve to emphasize, underline and animate verbal language as well as paralanguage) will build much more rapport, make more sales, win more negations & elections, de-escalate many confrontations and convince multitudes of juries  - vs. the use of palms-down gestures. The palm-up illustrator with a loose hand, elbow and shoulder is thus very effective alpha-beta hybrid.

Palm-down hand movements are examples of alpha and hyper-alpha illustrators. Particularly rapport destroying and audience alienating (and amplified when the palm-down fingers are closed together, and when the wrist, elbow or shoulders are extended and stiff) - this will body language will destroy rapport and alienate audiences (even an audience of one).

Incredibly, the students or audience of teachers, professors, attorneys, speakers, etc. who use palms-up illustrators will have significantly higher retention-rates of the materials presented. 

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2360:  Bill Clinton and the Body Language of a  "Loose Hand, Palm Up Point"

Leadership Secret # 222: Angela Merkle - Palms Down vs. Palms Up

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2816: Donald Sterling Interview - Body Language Tells

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

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2657: Keanu Reeves's, "47 Ronin" and a Hesitancy to Discuss - a Key Body Language Tell (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

A fantastic body language tell is displayed in the above video. Keanu Reeves is being interviewed regarding his just released movie, "47 Ronin" by Savannah Guthrie (Today).

Beginning at 2:20, Guthrie asks the accomplished actor, "Well, it's really exciting to watch and I, I was thinking about you because honestly we don't see you that often. You seem to be very choosy about your projects. Is that on purpose? Is that by design?"

Reeves answers, "Yeah. Yeah ...I mean, you know you want to find the right project. You wanna [deep exhale] ummm, yeah, I can just say that. You know."

During the 2:27 - 2:29 segment as Guthrie says, "... about your projects. Is that on purpose? ..." (And probably repeated however camera angle precludes the view), Reeves rubs both of his thighs with each hand forward to and then including the knees. This self-massage, rubbing of the thighs is an example what is known as a Manipulator, Adaptor or Pacifier (aka MAP) and is consistent with a heightened anxiety state. However, when this progresses forward (and downward) to include the knees, there is a particularly hesitancy in full disclosure of the matter being discussed. This evasiveness is clearly expressed verbally in this example of Reeves - however in other scenarios it is not so obvious. This very specific nonverbal tell is particularly helpful during vetting, voir dire, negotiations, depositions, interrogations and interview settings.

This is yet another example of a skilled actor being very easy to read with respect to his body language. And he acts for a living. What other significant tells did you see in this video?

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2567: Keanu Reeves, "Man of Tai Chi" and a Beta Posture

Body Language Confidence Secret # 33: Keanu Reeves - Covering the Mouth While Smiling

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2642: Tom Hanks Can't Act Away a Fib - His Body Language Tells a Little Lie

Negotiation Secret # 91: MAPs by Proxy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1869:  One Body Language Signal a President Should Never Display

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2522: Jake Gyllenhaal and Jimmy Kimmel, Part II,  Body Language and Anxiety in Hollywood

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Negotiation Body Language Secret # 1488: Ron Paul's Glasses, Authority and Time

Presidential hopeful Ron Paul is shown here taking off his glasses. This is a common body language tell when stalling for time is the emotional driver. Specifically, when a person needs a few moments to emotionally or intellectually process new information or when formulating a decision, the glasses will often be removed. Very often in such scenarios the glasses will be repeatedly taken off, put back on, taken off again, etc. Cleaning the lenses during these maneuvers is also often seen and is a further stalling adjunct. Glasses are also commonly removed at the point of the feigned theatrical denouement of an argument - commonly displayed in the court room, a political setting or during negotiations.

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