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 
________________________________________________________________________________

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2599: Spotting Subtle Signals of Arrogance - Tiger Woods and Rachel Nichols (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

In this short excerpt from a longer interview, Tiger Woods responds to Rachel Nichols' question, "As that stretch gets longer and longer without a major, what's that like when it builds? What's that pressure like as it builds and builds?"

Woods responds, "Well I [inaudible] for me, I look at it, the fact that it's, it takes a career. You know for, for Jack it took 'em 'til he was 46 [laugh]. Ummm, it takes a long time to win a lot a lot of Major Championships. And you're going to have your, your years where you play really well and may clip - you know two or three out of there. And then you're going to have your years where you just don't win anything, but you're there. Ah, you just don't happen to win. [Deep inhalation] And you know quite frankly over the last, well since oh-eight, um, I've been there with a chance to win in about half of them. Ummm, just haven't seem to have won one."

Between 0:37 - 0:38, Woods increases both his rate of blinking as well as some of his blinks' duration. This is known as an extended blink.

Just prior to this (0:36 - 0:37) Tiger also takes a deep inhalation.

At the 0:40 mark, Tiger displays a "Tongue Jut" (aka "Lizard Tongue"). This nonverbal conveys, "I've been bad", "I got caught", "I did a foolish thing" or "I got away with something".

It can also be a sign of excitement (a' la Katie Holmes).










All of the above very short-lived noverbals occur within a few seconds of each other (four to five seconds). In addition, Woods' use of the phrase, "... you know quite frankly ..." during the precise time of the increased and extended blinks is particularly telling. When "quite frankly" or "frankly" is spoken - it signals that the person views himself as an alpha relative to whom they are speaking. It also signifies he has an agenda and is in a highly subjective mindset. He is not interested in listening or observing. It is a strong sign of ego-driven behavior and much of the time, although the word declares truth, there is very often an element of deception present (paralanguage). Tiger is rationalizing aloud - yet within the context of his own self-talk, he does not feel he is (or has been for the last 5 seasons) the "same old Tiger".

This cluster of increase rate and duration of blinking, deep inhalation, a tongue jut and use of the phrase, "... you know quite frankly ..." is significant for arrogant, egocentric and patronizing behavior. Any recipient know they are 'being played' and viewed as a beta.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2345:  Tiger Woods & Lindsey Vonn - Body Language of True Affection?

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2365:  Lindsey Vonn & Tiger Woods -  Body Language at the Masters

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

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1211:  Tiger's Eyes -  Subtle Signal, Severe Anger

Body Language Analysis # 1502:  Tiger Woods' Meltdown at the Masters -  "I Want to Wipe it from My Mind!"

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 411:  Lip Biting with Intense Physical Activity

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

________________________________________________________________________________