Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3282: Zac Efron Swam with a Wild Tiger Shark and Avoided an Attack by using Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Zac Efron was a guest on the Tonight Show last night. Many people have gained a considerably higher level of respect for the actor after his encounter with a tiger shark in the wild. Not only did he keep his cool and follow the recommendations of shark experts - but he also held onto the shark's dorsal fin and hitched a ride back to his boat.

From a body language perspective, as with many interactions, this interview includes a multitude of nonverbal displays - some of which are alpha, some beta and some hybrids. A few of these are described below. Intriguingly (and courageously), Mr. Efron also uses body language to avoid a shark attack.

0:31

Mr. Efron displays a "false tie-adjust"

This common nonverbal display is indicative of anxiety. Even though he's an accomplished actor and is quite used to being in front of a camera - here he's NOT method acting - he's human and he's just being Zac. Efron does this again at 0:50 as well as at the 2:12 mark.

0:39

Here we see the palms partially turned down at about a 45 degree angle. This is one of many  ALPHA-beta hybrids (here with the alpha being greater than beta).








1:00

This more complete palm down gesture is significant of a higher dominance level.

Had his fingers been positioned tightly together (here there is space between them) and his arm been extended - this would have conveyed an even greater alpha level. His partial (suppressed) sincere smile also helps to make this a bit less dominant.

1:11

This palm-down gesture is more dominant than that displayed above (at 1:00) - for Efron's arm is held further away from his body with his elbow more extended. He also does not have a smile at this moment in addition to having a contracted forehead. However his fingers remain separated - thus leaving some dominance unclaimed.

1:37

Although we can't see this MAP fully (manipulator, adaptor, pacifier), if you watch the video, you can tell Efron adjusts the lower part of his tie. This is a common gesture for men in moments where they are attempting to up-regulate their alpha emotions. This body language is better appreciated in the dynamic context of the video rather than a static image.

2:42

Zac Efron displays a conventional low steeple. The conventional steeple is a considerably high-alpha display and is only recommended for very brief duration (he uses it for about 5 seconds here) during very selective moments (photos of U.S. Presidents using a conventional steeple are exceedingly rare).

When a guy is describing how he survived a stare-down with a 14 foot tiger shark, he's certainly has greater social-latitude to use this nonverbal swagger.

I don't pretend to be a shark expert and thus I can't at this time can't validate Efron's advice, yet here (based on the teachings of his mentors) he describes how he used his clear wits and body language to avoid a possibly fatal shark attack.

2:58

"What you're supposed to do is slow down your heart rate and just sort stay calm."

"I held my breath, I sorta crossed my arms and let the shark know I wasn't prey."

3:03

Efron describes staring directly into the eyes of the shark - implying that his body was turned toward the shark as well (e.g., "I'm not afraid of you and I'm not swimming away - but my hands are not in an aggressive configuration either, so this is a truce Mr. Tiger Shark, okay?").

3:54

Just as Jimmy Fallon holds up a picture of Zac with the Tiger Shark - he displays a subtle fear mouth (in a moment of partially reliving the encounter). The camera cuts away before his trepidation is perhaps more fully expressed.

Don't try this at home.

Many shark experts would say that once Efron avoided the initial face-to-face encounter, he should have not touched the shark - as tiger sharks are particularly unpredictable.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3281: Donald Trump on "Meet The Press" - Who Does He Talk to for Military Advice?

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3160: Warren Sapp Recounts Night with Prostitutes 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3257: Donald Trump at the Texas-Mexico Border - Body Language of a Hyper-Alpha 

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

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3257: Donald Trump at the Texas-Mexico Border - Body Language of a Hyper-Alpha (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Donald Trump jetted to the Texas-Mexico border on Thursday. The republican candidate who's leading most of the polls appeared in this video with the Mayor and the City Manager of Laredo.

It's of course common knowledge that Mr. Trump more than any other candidate - republican or democrat - spouts dramatic and aggressive language. What many don't realize however, is that his body language is also more invasive and provocative. Verbal and the nonverbal signals are intertwined. Assertive and hyper-assertive verbal language are linked to alpha and hyper-alpha body language. Passive and demure verbal language are also yoked with beta body language. The trick is (most of the time) to strike a happy medium. There are times of course, when projecting dominance and strength are important - but (surprise) Donald (way) over-does it.

What follows are five nonverbal hand-arm displays (Illustrators and one [Self-Pointing] sometimes also transitions to a MAP [Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier]) which are all common in political candidates (and other hyper-alpha personalities). These are much more plentiful (in the political context) prior to primaries - when republicans are running to the right and democrats are leaping left. After the primaries though, the nonverbal (and verbal) language is nearly always less extreme.

The "Dominant Spider"

This is much more common in males and is extremely frequent in those with narcissistic personality disorder.

"Palms Forward"

A refuting and dismissive illustrator


Much more common in those with impulse control problems

"Palms Down" illustrator

When the fingers are separated - the palms down is less alpha vs. when the fingers are together.

Depending on the frequency and context, "Self-Pointing" may of course be indicative of self-deprecating emotions and messages. Trump however is using the self-point in a braggadocio manner here. During this press conference (during 4:53 - 4:54), he even refers to himself in the third person. In most scenarios, frequent self-pointing is highly correlative with narcissism.

Of the five examples shown here, the "Hand Chop" is the most frequently seen illustrator among alpha personalities - and there's certainly no exceptions when it comes to politicians (the palms down is a close second).








It's important to show strength, confidence and assertiveness yet without being hyper-aggressive, arrogant and condescending. Hyper-alpha body language will polarize. Those who already agree with you will be drawn towards your cause. All others will run in another direction.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3256: Katie Holmes on Jimmy Fallon - Body Language Tells

Ted Cruz to Announce his Candidacy for 2016 Presidential Race - Why He Will Never Win - Body Language 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3134: Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3154: Marco Rubio's Body Language Tell

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3227: Bobby Jindal's, "... I am tanned ..." remark - What does his Body Language tell us? 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3200: Martin O'Malley announces Candidacy for 2016 Presidential Race - Body Language of Emotional Processing 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3235: Jim Webb Announces His Presidential Bid .... and some Body Language Weakness 

Dating & Romance Nonverbal Communication Secret No. 1010:  What Makes the Twinkle in Her Eye? - Rashida Jones 

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2300: Kim Kardashian & Kanye West in Rio at Christ the Redeemer Statue and the Body Language of Palms Up vs. Palms Down

Glancing at the image above, it looks as if Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are perhaps trying to appease a child and "fly like a bird" in what is obviously a posed photograph. When we put it in the context of posing in front of the "Christ the Redeemer" Statue in Rio de Janeiro (many are put off by what they consider sacrilege. Notice however how different it "feels" to look at the statue of Christ with his palms turned upwards - whose body language in this context connotes a very giving and supportive emotional tone.

In strong contrast, the palms down nonverbal displayed by Kardashian and West communicates a very authoritative and assertive demeanor. This alpha attitude is amplified by fingers closed and lessened when the fingers and thumbs are opened. A Palms down gesture should be used rarely and briefly - lest it destroys rapport and send signals of arrogance and dominance.

Without having any body language training whatsoever, most people of all cultures make these distinctions intuitively. Others remain oblivious.

See also:

Leadership Secret # 222: Palms Down vs. Palms Up & Angela Merkel

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 554:  Ron Paul's Palms Down Faux Pas

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1899:  Bill Cassidy and "Obama-care" - Letting your Body Language Detract from your Message

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1059:  Santorum's Dominant Spider

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1868: John McCain's plea before the Senate for  Direct American Involvement to Stop  Syrian Government Killing its own People

Negotiation Secret # 555:  How Facial Expressions Correlate with Palm Position - Silvio Berlusconi

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1698:  Susan Rice, Bashar Ja'afari &  Kofi Annan's Six Point Peace Plan for Syria

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1899: Bill Cassidy and "Obama-care" - Letting your Body Language Detract from your Message

You may or may not agree with the Affordable Health Care for America Act - aka "Obama-care" - and polling shows that more than half of Americans disagree with it in part or whole - however Representative Bill Cassidy's (R-LA) open statement regarding his (and the Republican Party's) view that the Supreme Court (and Congress) must repeal it - reveal some major mistakes from a body language standpoint. If you truly desire to communicate, you should seek to do so on all levels - including language, paralanguage (tone, cadence, rhythm, volume, etc.) and nonverbally.

Representative Cassidy used the very common "political point" much too often in this video announcement. While it is a good gesture to use relatively sparingly - especially in lieu of the traditional index finger (forefinger) point, Dr. Cassidy overused it to extreme. No one (except for ill-advised politicians) uses the political point this excessively. Overuse of any particular nonverbal - at the very best transmits "I'm a rookie" and most of the time creates an air of insincerity and distrust. It destroys rapport rather than building it.

While several times he uses a palm-down gesture, at no time in this speech does Representative Cassidy use a palms-up illustrator.  Palms-down hand usage should be used minimally if at all and at very specific times of short duration. The same is true of the pseudo-prayer hand chop as well as (briefly) its close cousin the conventional steeple. All of these nonverbals (except palms up) are authoritarian and are overused by politicians and most other alpha personalities. They send signals of arrogance and condescension. Palms-up gestures (which also can be over-used) create feelings of openness and authority without being "over-alpha" (Pease).

The fact that Cassidy had no lectern or desk in front of him was a smart move. The more we can see of a person, the more we trust him/her. The high-stool seating used by many in the political setting (debates, interviews, etc.) is also over used though and looks unnatural. Men end up sitting with their legs wider splayed than they otherwise would - and thus end up folding their hands in front of their crotch (which is what Cassidy repeatedly does and in this setting it adds to a patronizing feeling). This scenario is repeated and much worse for women - particularly if wearing a skirt or dress. This awkwardness and uncomfortable seating translates to significantly less fluid speaking. High stool seating is unnatural and should be avoided. 

Another nonverbal which detracts from Representative Cassidy's rapport is his elevated right eyebrow and contracted right forehead. This was done extensively throughout the video - even when he was speaking about what he believes to be a proper course of action. This forehead/eyebrow body language adds doubt and incredulity to his message. It is possible that this is secondary to a peripheral facial nerve palsy (such as Bell's Palsy or injury) on his left, but it is doubtful since there are no other signs of this.

No doubt Rep. Cassidy believes what he is saying, but his nonverbal displays are not building rapport - they are destroying it. Got rapport?

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Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1095: al-Assad Feels a Weak Link with Russia

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, is pictured here with Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov. It is quite evident from al-Assad's body language, that he does NOT feel strength in Syria's relationship with Russia. While it is certainly true that Russia (along with China) recently vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution which would have condemned Syria, Lavrov does NOT feel comfortable meeting with al-Assad. Something is amiss.

In another place and time, this could very well be a photo of an employee pleading for his job in the midst of a reprimand. The Syrian's feet and legs are very close together, in a configuration typical of an acquiescing, beta persona. Moreover al-Assad's feet are pointed at Lavrov, and thus showing us that he holds the Russian/Russia in high respect. Meanwhile, the Foreign Minister's feet are crossed at the ankles, betraying his closed and standoffish attitude. Sergey's feet are pointed away from Bashar. In a romantic context, we point our feet toward the person whom we find most attractive. In all other scenarios, such as the one above, the subconscious points our feet toward those we like or respect, and away from those we don't like and/or disrespect. It is very obvious who needs whom here.

Mr. Lavrov's hands are palms-down, demonstrating his relative authority, assertiveness and comfort - while the Syrian's right hand is palm-up, in a very beta, pleading-his-case manner.

The Russian's eyebrows are down turned, particularly medially and taken together with his mid-facial tightening, and the down-turned corners of the mouth - his expression is that of anger. 

Al-Assad's central eyebrows are upturned - while the corners of his mouth are also slightly elevated. This particular facial nonverbal cluster is ALWAYS a warning signal - and Bashar uses far too often. 

Taken in total, this photo tells us that al-Assad needs Russia - BADLY - which is obvious to everybody, but he feels as if their patience is wearing thin ... or worse. The Syrian's nonverbals strongly betray his low-confidence level. Al-Assad is asking, not telling. He's backpedaling. He's been given a yellow card.  He is feeling a bit desperate. This Russian-Syrian relationship is more tenuous than most know or believe.

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Negotiation Secret # 702: The Dominant Spider

This is a classic display of what I call "The Dominant Spider". Palm down gestures are always taken as dominant and overtly authoritative. Audiences receive them considerably more negatively versus palms up displays - even with an audience of one (Pease). Although gesturing with your palms down is not as negative as pointing - it should, in most cases, be avoided. This display of The Dominant Spider by the late Libyan Dictator, Muammar Gaddafi (Moammar Gadhafi) - while a bit more subtle than Khrushchev banging his shoe, is an example of a gesture I will coach-out of most people.

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Negotiation Secret # 555: How Facial Expressions Correlate with Palm Position

These two photos of Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi are fantastic examples of how the orientation of our palms are very strongly correlated with our facial expressions. Palms down, in general, should be avoided. Most of the time, the majority of audience members (even with an audience of one!) will feel patronized and that the speaker is arrogant. Alpha personalities who go too extreme will conspicuously over-use the palms down signal. Notice how Berlusconi's face matches this - he is displaying smug/contempt. If you're a teacher, professor or trainer - the learning/retention will also be significantly reduced (B. & A. Pease).

When palms are pointed up, the face again matches. There is a very strong tendency towards a more beta personality with a softer/reconciliation/asking/kinder face. The examples shown here are very demonstrative and typical of everyday people and situations. Watch carefully for these hand-face correlations in your personal life and at work. It will allow you to read between the lines and inside their minds with great accuracy and tremendous benefit.

Berlusconi faces ongoing charges of corruption, bribery and paying and underage girl (Karima El Mahroug) for sex (See Negotiating Secret #89: Opposite Facing Arms Akimbo).

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