Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3684: Barack Obama's and Vladimir Putin's "Stare-Down" at the G20 - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

Much has been made of this "stare down" between Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama during the recent G20 Meeting in Hangzhou, China. However, without the dynamics of real-time experience or a video to put it this moment in context, it most probably is simply eye contact during conversation (but between the two most power people in the World).

Yet further evaluation yields some other notable details. Notice how Mr. Putin is "Body Pointing" toward Mr. Obama, yet Obama is rotated outward. While it is absolutely important to point one's feet, hips, torso, shoulders, head and eyes directly at the person with whom you're shaking hands, after 5 - 7 seconds there should be a slight (20 - 30 degrees) rotation of the lower limbs, hips and to a slightly lesser degree the torso. This is particularly important with men as this rotation maneuver helps to diminish feelings of confrontation.

Note also that Putin keeps his head and neck straight - and does not tilt them back - rather he just rotates his eyes in an upward gaze toward Obama's eyes. By adopting this configuration Putin does not subordinate himself to the taller American (Obama is 6'1" [1.85 M] while Putin is 5'7" [1.70 M]). It also can make him look a bit intimidating to taller individuals - because from their perspective, it gives the appearance that he's looking at them through "Lowered Brows".

Another important detail here is Putin arm position. He's keeping his hand and arm up, positioned at his central lower-chest level - acting as a barrier between him and Obama. This is good example of beta body language. Putin is very alpha (often Hyper-Alpha) when he's on Russian soil - yet when he's visiting another country, he slips into lower levels emotional comfort. Putin's tentativeness is showing. His arm and hand are acting as a barrier. He's being protective.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3683: Brock Turner Released from Prison after 3 Months

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3682: Donald Trump Surrogate Pastor Mark Burns Caught in Deception

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3677: Chris Brown's Pre-Arrest Instagram Rant

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3672: Jessica Alba, Swass, Body Language and Emotional Intelligence

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3609: Emma Watson, Tina Turner, Ring Tones and Body Language

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

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3594: Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump and Fareed Zakaria

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3418: Mayor Eric Garcetti, The Port of Los Angeles and a Body Language Mistake Leaders Commit Routinely (PHOTOS)

This image was taken yesterday at the Port of Los Angeles, with the "Benjamin Franklin" - the largest container ship ever to dock in North America - in the background. In the foreground we see Eric Garcetti (seventh from our left), the Mayor of Los Angeles with thirteen other individuals.

From a body language perspective, Mayor Garcetti is configured in a manner which is the very antithesis of a strong or confident leader (and particularly ironic given the layered metaphors here). Take note of the position of his hands. This is what is known as the "Fig Leaf" or "Genital Guarding".

While there are certainly scenarios when a "leader" (elected or otherwise) should stand with hands in a fig leaf (e.g., at a funeral, wedding, religious service, when meeting major religious figures, ceremonies involving receiving the remains of soldiers) - the VAST majority of the time, those who are in a leadership position should NEVER stand in this manner for it projects beta and acquiescing emotional tones. And moreover, not only will others perceive these feelings - but this body language will truly engender low emotional comfort, low confidence and low assertiveness. The body and face will thus act as a control panel, changing our neurochemistry and telling our minds how we will feel.

How should Mayor Garcetti's hands (as well as the remainder of his body) be positioned? What other body language critiques can you make regarding this photo?


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3417: Freshman Mistakes and Faux Pas Abound - Debates and Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2924: Michael Brown, Captain Ron Johnson, Church Rally and Ferguson, Missouri - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2763: Richard Nixon, My Lai Massacre - Conscious and Subconscious Body Language Display  

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2944: Derek Jeter Answers Reporter's Cell Phone

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2894: Maria Kirilenko, Alex Ovechkin and Subtle Body Language of .... 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2900: Lionel Messi and the Lateral Lip Purse 

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3052: Mayor de Blasio and NYPD Chief Bill Bratton

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3412: Affluenza Teen Ethan Couch is on the Run 


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Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1041: Russia's Dominance over Syria

The Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov asserts his and his country's dominance in this recent handshake and subsequent meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Lavrov's hand is rotated about 70 degrees from the neutral position - with his clearly on top. When each palm is perpendicular to the floor, the ability of a handshake to engender rapport is maximized. The Russian is not interested in rapport however, as this image clearly demonstrates he has come to display authority and power for the motherland.... and again the Syrian acquiesces to The Bear.

See also: Leadership Secret # 112: Pakistan Trumps Iran

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