Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3930: Emmanuel Macron, Hacking, and Anger - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

After files from his campaign were recently attacked - in a "massive and coordinated hacking operation" - and subsequently posted on social media, it's not at all surprising that Emmanuel Macron would be angry.

Most all people, who are otherwise socially adept and with good interpersonal skills, are able to accurately characterize others' emotions when they're present at higher levels. However, when these same emotions are displayed in mild or even in moderate amounts - it's amazing just how often people misidentify - or are even completely oblivious to them.

Note Emmanuel Macron's lower eyelids - for they exhibit significantly increased tension. This is rarely noted by all but the most astute observers.

His eyebrows are also lowered and slightly drawn together.

The French Presidential Candidate's mid-face is also significantly contracted. This is particularly evident in the area above his upper lip - as well as with the flaring of his nostrils.

His lips are horizontally-stretched, thinned and rolled inward - to such a degree that his lower lip has disappeared and only the thinnest remnant of his upper lip remains visible.

Because his jaw is also clenched, the area below his lower lip is bulging outward. Although from this angle it's difficult to seen, his jaw is also jutting forward. This mandibular clenching also has the secondary effect of dimpling the anterior surface of his chin.

This photo is an excellent example of a nonverbal cluster of moderate-level anger displays. In the real-world, don't be the next person to gloss-over or under-appreciate such emotions.



See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3929: Marine Le Pen and Emmanuel Macron - Alpha and Beta Flux

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3927: Jimmy Kimmel's Emotional Monologue regarding His Son’s Birth & Heart Disease

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3924: French Presidential Front-Runner Emmanuel Macron

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3912: Keri Russell's Schadenfreude, Matthew Rhys' Fear, and a Hesitancy to Disclose

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3871: Emma Watson's Old Habit, Harry Potter Outtake and Anxiety

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3771: Tom Hanks Reenacts Iconic Forrest Gump Scene 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3717: Creepy Clowns, Body Language and Emotional Intelligence

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3588: Orlando Shooting, Video From Inside Pulse Nightclub


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Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1995: Barack Obama, Social Darwinism and the Political Point

This video is an excerpt from his Tuesday speech to the American Society of Newspaper Editors, in which President Obama refers to the House Republican Budget Plan (authored by Paul Ryan of Wisconsin) as "...thinly veiled Social Darwinism ....". At the 0:54 mark, the President begins using (with his right hand) a body language gesture often referred to as the "Political Point" or the "Politician's Point" and continues through out the remainder of the clip.

The politician's point is formed by touching the thumb to the index finger and making a loose circle-oval. Occasionally more fingers are used as The President does here. This form of "pointing" is much more benign than the conventional and very caustic, "Index Finger Point". A rapport destroyer and universally offensive, pointing with the index finger should almost never be done. Conversely, the political point engenders trust, builds rapport and will aide in winning the audience over.

Incredibly, the nonverbals of the face and hand are very closely linked. Thus anger in the face - even subtle anger, tends to be also manifested in hand tension. The opposite is true as well - tension in the hands can often arouse negative emotions which are then manifested on the face. By using more inviting and friendly hand gestures - a speaker can help modulate his/her emotions to a much greater degree - even to an audience of one. 

Nuanced even further, when some speakers use the political point, but pinch their fingers to their thumb tightly, this detracts from the soothing effect on the audience and also has a negative feedback to the speaker. This will often be reflected in an increase in speech volume too. Indeed, at the very end of this video, note that The Presidents begins to pinch more and his emotions and voice grow more heated. Those who keep the finger and thumb loosely held achieve a more full effect of the political point. It's another nice little form of biofeedback courtesy of body language

This hand-face-emotional phenomenon is very probably the basis for why hand massages are great stress relievers.

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Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1446: Tension in the Mouth - Tension in the Hands

This is former U.S. Senator and Republican Presidential Candidate hopeful, Rick Santorum during a political rally recently in Illinois. Notice the tension in his hands and the corresponding tension in his mid-face and mouth. If there are negative facial emotional displays - there is a very high correlation with tension in the hands. They tend to strongly mirror each other. The reverse is also true. If the face is relaxed - the hands tend to be tranquil as well. This nonverbal tell is particularly valuable during negotiations, sales and in similar contexts. Frequenting cross-checking these two areas will help to nuance your body language interpretive skills.

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