Body Language Analysis No. 4131: Michael Flynn's Clandestine Plans - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

Happy Thanksgiving.

Lawyers for Michael Flynn recently notified President Trump's legal team that they will no longer discuss the special counsel's investigation. This is seen by most as an indication that Mr. Flynn is cooperating with Robert Mueller's team or he's in the process of negotiating with them.

The photo above (and close-up below) of Michael Flynn was taken at the White House on Monday, 13 February 2017 - moments prior to President Donald Trump's and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's joint press conference.

These were also the last hours of Flynn's historically short (24 days) tenure as National Security Advisor. Later that day, Flynn was forced to resign after information became public that he had lied to Vice President Mike Pence about his communications with Sergey Kislyak - who was at the time, Russian ambassador to the U.S. On 26 and 27 January, Sally Yates had informed White House counsel Don McGahn, that Flynn had misled Pence regarding his communications with Kislyak and was susceptible to blackmail by Russian operatives.

From a nonverbal perspective, the particular expression on Micheal Flynn's face is worth a trillion dollars.

Flynn's mouth and lips are configured in what is known as a "Lip Purse" - and more specifically, a "Forward Lip Purse" (not to be confused with a Lateral Lip Purse - which has a completely different meaning).

A forward lip purse is a signal of Clandestine Plans and/or Clandestine Disagreement. Crucially, it is only displayed by individuals who perceive themselves to be significantly alpha relative to another's beta status.

Those who make this expression may, in fact, voice some disagreement, at least a portion of it - however if they do so, you can be absolutely sure they are withholding a large portion of their dissidence.

Moreover, a person using the forward lip purse believes they have a relatively good chance of implementing their plan. With this in mind, it's noteworthy that Michael Flynn was looking at Jared Kushner when he made this face (that's the President's son-in-law and senior advisor in the left foreground of the photo).


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Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com


See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4130: Norah O'Donnell and Gayle King regarding Charlie Rose

Body Language Analysis No. 4128: Roy Moore's youngest accuser, Leigh Corfman - Interview on "Today"

Body Language Analysis No. 4126: Jeff Sessions' Joking regarding Kislyak/Russia

Body Language Analysis No. 4124: Jeff Sessions and Russia - Part II

Body Language Analysis No. 4104: Walter Cronkite Reaction to JFK Assassination

Body Language Analysis No. 4065: The Murder of Laci Peterson - Scott Peterson's Red Flag

Body Language Analysis No. 3935: Donald Trump and Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak in the Oval Office

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3848: Donald Trump Hosts Justin Trudeau

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3849: Donald Trump's and Justin Trudeau's Relative Confidence Levels During their 13 February 2017 Joint Press Conference


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Body Language Analysis No. 4125: Michael Flynn, Trick Arrows, and Suppressing Strong Emotions - Nonverbal and Emotions Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

This image of Michael Flynn and K.T. McFarland was taken on 1 February 2017 in the White House Press Room. At that time, Flynn had been National Security Advisor for twelve days and Ms. McFarland was the Deputy National Security Advisor. Flynn's stint would only last for twelve more days. On 13 February he would be forced to resign for lying to Vice President Pence regarding the nature of his communications with the Russian Ambassador to the US - Sergey Kislyak.

Only six days earlier, Acting Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates had met with Don McGahn. Ms. Yates had informed Mr. McGahn (the White House Counsel and assistant to the President) that she felt Flynn had been "compromised" and thus was subject to possible to blackmail by the Russians.

What should jump out at you at first glance in this photo - is the configuration of Michael Flynn's mouth and lips. Notice how his lips are rolled inward.  An "Inward Lip Roll" is a strong signal of the act of suppressing strong feelings. His psyche is trying to prevent both the inward growth and the outward manifestation of robust emotions. But which ones?

You may have noted how Flynn's jaw is clenched and thrust forward. This "Jaw Jut" affords less "rolling-in" of his lower lip). His mid-face (e.g., "mustache area") is tense and his nostrils are also flared. This entire cluster of nonverbal changes is indicative of a surge of adrenaline.

His eyebrows are also both pulled together and directed downward along with his forehead.






Next, watch Lars Andersen - an extremely skilled archer in this video showcasing his remarkable skills published several weeks ago. Many would call his use of people here - a form reckless endangerment - and indeed even abuse - particularly with his use of a child.

Now, slow the video down to 1/4 speed at 0:58. Watch the arrow as it passes in front of the woman standing at the head of the line. Notice also how her lower and mid-face rapidly morphs in a manner similar to Michael Flynn's - with an inner lip roll, a jaw jut, mid-face tightening, and nostril flaring.

Their eyes and forehead are expressing differences, however. The woman's eyelids and forehead are significantly elevated while Flynn's are lowered. The reason for this is her adrenaline surge is quicker and stronger - she is experiencing only one intense emotion. In contrast, then National Security Advisor Flynn's adrenaline - although still elevated, was relatively lower. While both individuals were far from their emotional baselines' - experiencing fear - Michael Flynn was also calculating his next move.

Always remember - when you see an inward lip roll - in that moment, that person is far from their emotional center.


Group Appearances and One-on-One
Online Courses Available 
702-239-8503
Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com


See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4124: Jeff Sessions and Russia - Part II

Body Language Analysis No. 4122: Jeff Sessions Testimony, Russia, Ted Lieu, and Changing Stories

Body Language Analysis No. 4120: Robert Mueller's Nonverbal Metaphor

Body Language Analysis No. 4118: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump meet at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit

Body Language Analysis No. 4111: Selena Gomez, Francia Raisa, and a Kidney Transplant

Body Language Analysis No. 4101: Myeshia Johnson, the widow of Sgt. La David Johnson

Body Language Analysis No. 4055: What Does Jessica Chastain Feel For Matt Damon?

Body Language Analysis No. 3940: National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster's Press Conference regarding President Trump's Sharing of Classified Intelligence with the Russians

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3839: Andrew Garfield, Ryan Reynolds and Ryan Gosling - Embarrassment, Protection, Body Language and Emotional Intelligence


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3819: Turkey's Parliament, Presidential Powers and Constitutional Amendments - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

On Wednesday 11 January 2017, a brawl broke out on the floor of the Turkish Parliament in the midst of a debate on constitutional amendments regarding increasing presidential powers.

When we look at the body language present in this image, one characteristic which should jump out at you is the prevalence of "Jaw Jutting". A jaw jut virtually always occurs just prior to - as well as during acts of violence. Moreover notice also the degree of "hand tension" (e.g., throwing fists, high-energy grabbing, jabbing, etc.). This is also a very good example of a second nonverbal axiom: Whenever there is jaw jutting present, there is a very high likelihood of hand tension.

In the moments just before violence occurs, we will see jaw jutting and simultaneous fists (and other examples of hand tension). When you such body language signals - take immediate precautions to protect yourself and/or put physical distance between you and the person displaying these nonverbal displays.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2818: Representative John Lewis: "Donald Trump Won’t Be A ‘Legitimate President' "

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2816: Secretary of State Nominee Rex Tillerson

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2814: Claire Foy's recounting of Meeting Kate Winslet

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3803: A Common Gesture of Donald Trump's - Variation on Alpha-Beta Hybrids

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3633: David Duke's Duplicity & The US Senate

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3564: Kanye West, Ellen and Beta Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3505: Barack Obama is Interrupted by Raúl Castro & Aide at Press Conference


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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3791: Russian Ambassador to Turkey Assassinated in Ankara - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

Earlier today, Andrey Karlov (the Russian Ambassador to Turkey) was assassinated during an art exhibition in Ankara. As there were professional photographers and videographers present, multiple images were captured in addition to video documenting the killing and its aftermath.

In this image taken immediately after the shooting, Mevlut Mert Altintas (the assassin) can be seen. Although it can't be seen in this cropped photo, he is standing adjacent to the body of Ambassador Karlov. Altintas was reportedly a 22 year-old off duty (or possibly former) Turkish police officer at the time of the attack.

Note the expression on Altintas' face in the above photograph. Although there is anger present - it's his secondary feeling. The dominant emotion being experienced and thus projected is that of Contempt. On the faces of those committing terrorist acts, the expressions of contempt and/or disgust are present virtually 100% of the time.

In this second, distorted image, taken a few moments before the shooting, the Assassin can be seen. Here there is also contempt being displayed (on the mid-face and mouth) - although here it is being considerably suppressed.

The configuration of his hands is a portion of, and variation of what some law enforcement personnel call "Parade Rest" (and some military, yet the hands tend to be held behind the back in most militaries). Yet if we slice this nonverbal moment even thinner and evaluate the position of his thumbs and correlate this with the indirect gaze of his eyes (along with his previously noted contempt) - we can further conclude this body language cluster is highly consistent with a significantly heightened level of anxiety as well as clandestine planning.

Furthermore, although his feet cannot be seen directly, when we look at the angle of the assassin's legs, it's obvious that they are planted further than his shoulder's width apart. Such a leg-angle/foot-distance display is considerably hyper-alpha and projects the mental state of a person preparing for an intense physical act.

My condolences and prayers to the family of Ambassador Karlov.

Photo credits: Burham Ozbilici

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3790: Senator John McCain Believes Russian Election Interference Could 'Destroy Democracy'

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3788: President Obama's Press Conference - 'Not much happens in Russia without Vladimir Putin'

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3786: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte admits he personally carried out extrajudicial killings

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3763: Matt Smith, Claire Foy and Where NOT to be stung by a Wasp - Body Language, Emotional Intelligence and Predicting Empathy 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3756: Amy Adams, Anxiety and Hesitancy to Disclose

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3587: The Orlando Mass Shooting, Omar Mateen and Warning Signs

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2976: Joseph Goebbels - Hitler's Propaganda Minister Showed this Chronic Display - Body Language Tells

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3298: Aylan Kurdi, a three year-old Syrian refugee drowns and the image of his body moves the World - a Body Language Empathy Self-Assessment

This is an image of a joyful three year-old, Aylan Kurdi (left) and his five year-old brother Galip. As refugees, escaping the wars in Syria along with their parents, they were fleeing to Europe. These two precious little boys and their mother (Rehan) drowned off the coast of Turkey. Only their father survived. An image of Aylan's body - washed up on a beach has been seen the World over. That photo - and more specifically the powerful emotions it has evoked, has moved many, including European leaders, to action. The picture is deliberately not included here - yet, if you've not done so already, give some thought to googling the photo and viewing it in private.

What did you feel when you first viewed the image Aylan's body? It may strike you as odd, yet some people did not feel very much emotion. Those with high empathy quotients however will manifest most or all of the following nonverbal changes.

Many people upon seeing such an image immediately bring their hands up to their face and cover their:

• mouth, 
• mouth and nose or 
• mouth, nose, cheeks and with fingers usually covering parts of their eyes

Beneath your hands your mouth is usually opened - with tightened lips covering your teeth. Your eyes will also open widely. This nonverbal cluster is indicative of shock-surprise with a high empathy quotient.

The above emotional moment virtually always transitions fairly rapidly to that of grief-sadness - which is nonverbally manifested by an elevated central forehead contraction (elevated CFC) along with a mouth of sadness with its characteristic down-turned corners - while at the same time the cheeks are pulled upwards. The upper eyelids droop significantly and the lower eyelids partially close too. Grief-Sadness is typically the longest lasting emotion.

You may initially feel nausea along with your grief and may clench your jaw as your tongue bunches-up and contract backwards.

Sometimes a classic of partial mouth of fear expression will manifest, although this is typically brief and replaced my grief-sadness.

Your head-neck-torso complex will typically retract away from the computer/T.V. screen. You may even step backwards or pull your chair in the opposite direction. Your legs and feet will often retract together. The knees and the ankles will bend. Your arms will typically cross over your chest with the hands and fingers contracting/clenching as the psyche goes into a protective mode. The hands will very often move over the heart. Simultaneous with the hands-over-heart dynamic - the tears will often begin to flow. Along with extreme grief, this cluster-complex is a form of emotionally holding the little Alyan from a distance. A part of us (many of us) instinctively want to comfort him and protect him even though he has passed. For with those of higher empathy at this moment, the miles disappear - as well as the fact that we've never seen or heard of this innocent little boy before.

My deepest condolences to Aylan's and Galip's Father and Rehan's husband - Abdullah Kurdi, their family and loved-ones.

Please donate here to help the refugees:

United Nations Refugee Agency

Save the Children

Islamic Relief USA


For nonverbal cross-referencing, see also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2922: Evacuating Yazidis from Iraq's Mount Sinjar - A Daughter's Anguish, Empathy and Mirror Neurons

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3292: Empathy, Yawning and Dogs

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2787: Korean Ferry Sinking, Empathy and Emotional Processing 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3035: John Wall, Miyah Telemaque-Nelson - and Grief, Empathy & Emotional Pain 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3297: 70th Anniversary of the End of World War II - Height, Intimidation and Surrender on the Mighty Mo'

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3079: Tom Brady, Deflategate - Part Deux
 
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Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2425: Istanbul, Turkey Protests & Police Crack Down Reporter Gets Too Close to Tear Gas - Body Language Signal of Sincere Physical Pain(Video, Photos)

In the video above, reporter Holly Williams broadcasts from Istanbul, Turkey. Earlier in the broadcast she can be seen walking in the midst of Takhim square and very near the tear gas deployment and water cannons the police are using to quell the protesters.

In this low resolution image Ms. Williams can be seen rubbing her eyes. Some may question the sincerity of this nonverbal illustrator. Is it melodrama?...

In this image a few body language-facial expression signs stand out. There is a tear running down Ms. Williams left cheek which can be clearly seen here. This is more striking when viewed in the video above. Notable also is the contraction of her central forehead (CFC) muscles and concomitant upturned inner (medial) eyebrows. A central forehead contraction always accompanies significant physical or emotional pain (unless prevented by Botox - or neurological injury - which are clearly not present here ). If moderate to severe physical pain is being claimed and there is no CFC present - the pain is being feigned.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2310:  Oscar Pistorius' Body Language in Court - Part II  Central Forehead Contraction, Frown & Pupil Dilation ....

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2403:  Central Forehead Contraction - The Grief Muscle,  Eyes Wide Open, False Mastication &  Oklahoma Tornado Survivors 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2405:  Anthony Weiner's Running For Mayor of New York - His Body Language & His Sincerity Quotient 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2171:  Charlie Bit My Finger!  One Body Language Signal Always Seen With Significant Pain

Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1439:  Central Forehead Contraction & Inward Lip Roll  Devon Davis & April Davis

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2393:  Cleveland Kidnapper Ariel Castro's daughter Angie Gregg -  Body Language of Sincere Emotional Pain & Empathy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2238:  Sandy Hook Elementary Teacher Lauren Rousseau's  Boyfriend's Body Language - Grief & Suppression of Negative Emotions & Empathy

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2382:  Syrian Opposition Leader Ghassan Hitto - Does His Body Language Betray Anxiety?  Or is it Hyperhidrosis?

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Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1077: We Remember the People of Hama

This lady is protesting along with many others in Ankara, Turkey outside the Syrian Embassy. She calls on us to remember the people killed in the Siege of Hama, Syria - by their own government forces in August of 2011. She carries three negative emotions blended on her face, all of them subtle but simultaneous - sadness, contempt and anger. 

Multiple emotions often occur in simultaneity or rapidly in succession, and while most can spot the body language of emotional extremes - few can spot the subtleties. Can you? Are you sure?

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Body Language Secret # 355: A Signal of Physical Pain

As this survivor of the 2011 Earthquake in Turkey (epicenter near the City of Van) is being pulled from the rubble, we can observe a very characteristic expression of pain on her face. Specifically, although it is somewhat difficult to see, I want to call your attention to her central forehead. It's strongly contracted. In the context of consciousness and significant physical pain, it's nearly impossible to have an absence of this highly emblematic nonverbal facial signal.

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