Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3780: Donald Trump's Chief Strategist Steve Bannon Time Magazine Pic - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTO)

Time Magazine named Donald Trump as the "2016 Person of the Year". When conducting the cover photo shoot of President Elect - the Time photographers also took pictures of Trump's inner circle.

The message communicated here by Steve Bannon's body language is certainly not to be ignored.

Trump's Chief Strategist right hand is being held in a variation of the "Double-L" configuration. This is called the Double-L because of two simultaneous right angles - one made by the index finger and middle finger - and the second between the thumb (not visible) and the index finger. This is one example (and a classic one at that) of a "Critical Evaluation" expression. Although Bannon may be partially listening, he doesn't like what he's hearing (and he's forming a plan).  His left hand covering his right further amplifies his tone of critical emotion.

The slightly downward angle (forward bending) of his head and neck are yet another components of this Nonverbal Critical Evaluation Cluster.

Bannon's eyes are not looking at the camera - but fixed at middle distance - signifying focused thought, contemplation and planning. He's not fully present.

It's also profoundly important to note that Bannon's middle finger is covering his lips. This is an example of what is know as a "Partial Emblematic Slip". Here the "Emblem" is the middle finger (when extended, the meaning of which is universally recognized). It is termed "Partial" because here it's not being used in the "Full Bird" form (e.g., held high in front of the body with the middle finger extended and isolated). The "Slip" terminology is included because it's subconsciously initiated (or occurring at the edge of consciousness) - rather than fully conscious and deliberate. In addition, the finger position over his lips indicate his desire for the other person to "shush".

Summary: This image of Steve Bannon coveys a classic critical evaluation cluster with an additional component of subconscious profanity. He wants the person with whom he's interacting to stop talking . Moreover he's contemplating a specific "counter-punching" tactic.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3779: Donald Trump Cover Shoot - Time Magazine's Person of the Year

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3777: Donald Trump, Ben Carson - and Mike Pence's Poor Poker Face

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3775: Women Try 'Manspreading' For A Week

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3765: Conjoined twins Jadon and Anias McDonald - See each other directly for the first time

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3719: Donald Trump's "Apology" - Crisis Management, Body Language and Emotional Intelligence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3704: Hillary Clinton, Likability and Presidential Debates 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3674: Drake Presents Rihanna with Vanguard Award - 2016 MTV Video Music Awards

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3620: Cristiano Ronaldo's Injury, UEFA Euro 2016 and Body Language


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3779: Donald Trump Cover Shoot - Time Magazine's Person of the Year - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTO)

On Wednesday Time Magazine announced it had selected Donald Trump as their 2016 "Person of the Year".

While some people may find Trump's pose"artsy" - from a nonverbal point of view, the image on Time's cover is particularly unusual in several ways.

We don't look directly at people who we don't like, don't believe or don't trust - and this body language is exemplified here in the extreme. Trump's lower body is pointed in the opposite direction. His abdomen is rotated a bit - and his torso a little more - yet they are still pointed approximately 90 - 100 degrees away from the camera.

On this cover we are getting Trump's proverbial "Cold Shoulder". And although such a hand position (as Trump shows here) is natural and common when rotating in a chair - it still conveys a closed-off emotional tone.

Mr. Trump's face is configured in one of his common default expressions - that of a combined anger and incredulity.

It's also very intriguing that Trump's chair is quite obviously worn and damaged. Although it's not part of him or his clothing - here the chair very strongly acts an extension of the President-elect. This is a visual metaphor, a nonverbal analog and most certainly is not accidental.

Summary: This pose, image and chair are very poor choices on the part of President Elect Trump. Its nonverbal message is: "I don't like you, I disrespect you, you're an afterthought and I've turned my back on you."


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3778: Steve Harvey Recounts His Miss Universe Mistake

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3776: VP Elect Mike Pence Defends Trump's Claim of Voter Fraud

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3774: Luke Bryan Hits/Slaps a Fan For Flipping Him Off

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3763: Matt Smith, Claire Foy and Where NOT to be stung by a Wasp

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3745: Kris Bryant Smiles Throughout the Entire Last Play of Game Seven

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3736: Newt Gingrich and Megyn Kelly re: Donald Trump

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3687: Katy Perry Surprises Fan-Survivor of Orlando Nightclub Shooting on Ellen 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2331 Sheryl Sandberg on Time Cover - Magazine Brass Picked Completely Wrong Image - Her Body Language has the Opposite Message of the Article 

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


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