On Saturday morning at the G7 Summit in La Malbaie, Quebec - Donald Trump arrived
late to the Gender Equality Advisory Council meeting. Trump missed
Justin Trudeau's opening statement and interrupted Isabelle Hudon's
statement (the council's co-chair - and Canada's ambassador to France)
during his arrival.
Christine Lagarde (Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund
[IMF]) is seated immediately to his right while Canadian Lieutenant
General Christine Whitecross (currently the commandant of the NATO
Defense College in Rome) is sitting immediately to Trump's left.
The image immediately above (and the cropped, close-up below) shows President Trump later during this same meeting.
Although we don't know the complete context of this moment (who just spoke, what was said, who is currently speaking, etc.), President Trump's facial expression is quite telling and worthy of analysis. Here we see clear evidence of:
• Jaw Jut (forward displacement of mandible)
• Clenched Jaw
• Dimpling/wrinkling on Front of Chin
• Bottom Teeth Bared
• Considerable tightening in the "Mustache area"
• Flaring of Nostrils
• Eyelids partially closed
• Tension in lower eyelids
• Not looking directly at another person (e.g., as opposed to a full or partial rotation of the torso along with a greater rotation of the head/neck)
• Inner (medial) Eyebrows vectored downward
• Eyebrows drawn together
This nonverbal cluster is indicative of significant anger with elements of rage. Certainly, anger of any magnitude, let alone rage is completely out of context for any professional setting. Moreover, with high probability, it also signals the presence of underlying impulse control disorder.
SUMMARY: In this moment, while at the Gender Equality Advisory Council meeting at the 2018 G7 Summit, Donald Trump's facial expression exemplifies a classic expression of Elevated Anger bordering upon Rage.
No doubt you've seen it - the photo shown above of the other G7 leaders gathered around Donald Trump on Saturday (taken by Jesco Denzel, a German Government photographer). Most anyone could tell you the basic gist of the some of the emotions which were present in the room, yet it's very much worth our time to break down this moment and evaluate each component.
Shinzō Abe:
• The Japanese Prime Minister's primary emotion is Contempt (note his left mid-facial region is slightly drawn upward and lateral in a mild snarl)
• His crossed arms - left open palm (we can't visualize his right hand) - together with his contempt signals defensiveness and impatience
John Bolton:
• He appears to be talking directly to Emmanuel Macron
• Although the frame of his glasses obstructs our view of his right eye - his left eyelid is elevated significantly in the presence of a relaxed forehead - which indicating fear.
• The manner in which he's holding his legal pad - in front of his groin
and lower abdomen - is a form of an amplified fig leaf. This genital
guarding indicates he's intimidated by the international environment in
which he finds himself - his position as the National Security Advisor -
and/or by Emmanuel Macron. The fact that Bolton's speaking as he displays this fig-leaf further supports this conclusion.
Emmanuel Macron:
• Our view of the French President's face is significantly limited
• Forehead is fully elevated on his right side (and very probably on his left as well) is indicative of a moment of strong disbelief and/or possibly emphasizing his accompanying or recent verbal statement
• His right hand/fingers are splayed out on the table with his right arm straightened is significantly alpha - and encroaching into Trump's personal space
Angela Merkel:
• Leaning forward at her waist
• Encroaching forward toward Trump
• Palms on the table
• Elbows straight
• This particular cluster of body language was a smart tactic. It projects power, assertiveness, and ownership. Most professionals fail to use contextual and proportional alpha body language when dealing with alpha men - but not Chancellor Merkel.
Donald Trump:
• Sitting back, away from the table
• Sitting at an approximate 45º angle to the table
• Legs are uncrossed
• Feet are flat on the floor
• Arms are crossed - but not with buried fists as is his usual configuration - his right hand appears to be gripping his left upper arm- signaling defensiveness and close-mindedness
• Mouth corner (left side) has a mild lateral vectoring - with the slightest hint of a mouth smile
• Mustache area is mildly tensed
• Nostrils are mildly-moderately flared
• Forehead is elevated - probably along its entire width, although the medial portion of the forehead is suppressed secondary to Botox treatments (note the contraction furrows above the extreme lateral portion of his forehead)
• Despite the contraction of the forehead noted above, his upper eyelids are passively drooping. Along with his mid-facial
tension - and a trace of a (suppressed) smile - this cluster-combination signals both arrogance and contempt.
If you ever find yourself in a similar position as Donald Trump is here, you'd be well-advised to slowly stand up and walk around the table. Such a maneuver would increase his confidence and remove physical advantages that both Emmanuel Macron - and particularly Angela Merkel have over him in this scenario.
SUMMARY: It's no secret that Donald Trump enjoys being the center of attention. Yet some emotional dissonance is on full display in this photo. For in his smug moment, the outnumbered American President is also feeling significantly defensive. This example of
passive-aggressive behavior is
foretelling of his decision to withdraw his support for
any U.S. endorsement of the G7 joint communique - one which he had only just
agreed to a few hours earlier (shortly after this photo was taken).
This is the traditional group photo (also sometimes referred to as "The Family Photo") taken on Friday at the G7 Summit in La Malbaie, Quebec, Canada. From left to right are European Council President Donald Tusk, British Prime Minister Theresa May, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, U.S. President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, French President Emmanuel Macron, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.
The width of a man's stance (the width his feet are apart) in relation to his height is a good indicator of his relative confidence in that moment. This nonverbal sign is not, however, a reliable nonverbal indicator of a woman's confidence level.
Justin Trudeau is the tallest person in the 2018 G8 group photo at 6'2" (1.880
meters). Because he's also the host country's leader, Trudeau is standing in
the center of nine people. The shortest male in the photo is Giuseppe Conte at 5'7"
(1.702 meters) - while Angela Merkel is the shortest overall at 5'5"
(1.651 meters). Donald Trump's height is 6'0.5" (1.842 meters).
President Trump is standing with his feet closer together than any of the other six men - with the possible exception of Giuseppe Conte. Relative to the leaders' heights, however, the American president's feet are the closest together of any of the men - betraying his relatively low confidence (again, this is not a reliable indicator with women). In contrast, Prime Minister Trudeau's foot-plant-to-height ratio is the greatest of the group - projecting his alpha, high-confidence mindset.
Millennia ago, military generals realized that by requiring their enlisted men to stand "at attention" - with their feet close together - they were much more likely to take orders and subordinate themselves. They intuitively knew that certain body postures engendered strength and initiative - while others made their soldiers feel acquiescent and beta.
Now, look also at the direction of each leaders' feet. Trump is the only person in this photo whose feet are not pointed entirely straight ahead - with his left foot splaying outward. This betrays his break of solidarity with - and low level of commitment to the other G7 leaders.
Observe the five men, who at the time of this image, are waving with their hands' up. Trump's hand is lower than the others - below his shoulder - while Trudeau's, Macron's, Abe's, and Conte's hands are all considerably higher - above their shoulders' to their head level. In this context, the relative height of their hands' is also a good indicator of their relative confidence and emotional comfort levels.
SUMMARY: Given that the Trump-led United States is on the brink of a trade war with Canada, Mexico, and the EU - the U.S. President's breaking with the Paris Climate Accord last year - and, only a few hours earlier, Trump calling for Russia to be reinstated in the G7 (thereby remaking the G8) - and the significant push-back he's receiving on these issues from the other G7 leaders - it's not surprising, that despite some of his outward/surface behavior - the American President lacks significant confidence and is emotionally uncomfortable around these other World leaders
On Wednesday, during a meeting at FEMA headquarters regarding the 2018 Hurricane season, Mike Pence displayed a particular nonverbal behavior which has drawn considerable attention.
The video above shows President Trump removing his water bottle from the table with his right hand and then placing it on the floor.
Only 2.7 seconds after President Trump first touches his water bottle - and before he's even returned to an upright posture in his chair, Vice President Pence follows his boss's lead - mirroring Trump almost exactly.
Did you notice that the President's and First Lady's water bottles have a blue color cap vs. all the others?
Trump then moves a napkin onto his lap.
But not before the President looks down to his right - noticing Pence's mimicking behavior.
SUMMARY: When two people hold similar opinions and enjoy good rapport, very often they will, to varying degrees - mirror each other's body language - as well as their vocal qualities and even their word choices. Couples in love do this all the time. Indeed, this is one reason why family members (and others who share living quarters) develop similar mannerisms (as well as their near-constant exposure). In such scenarios, behavior is subconscious 99% of the time.
Thus, it's not surprising that some people will deliberately try to mirror other peoples' body language in efforts to gain their influence and build rapport. Yet such a practice can be a minefield.
Crucially, mirroring another person's behavior, by definition, is insincere and deceptive.
One reason to NOT deliberately mirror another person is that most will do so indiscriminately - copying all behavior - the negative as well as the positive. With this in mind, it's no wonder that pell-mell parroting of body language will destroy rapport - not build it.
In addition, people who routinely rely on mirroring techniques will lower their own confidence levels as they base much of their decision making upon others' opinions - thereby also diminishing their free thinking and creativity.
Moreover, mirroring another person's behavior too exactly in physicality - and too close in time - will become quickly and painfully obvious to even the casual observer. It will then, of course, be accurately interpreted as manipulation and sycophancy.
Bill Clinton and James Patterson were recently interviewed by NBC's Craig Melvin as part of their book tour for their recent collaboration, The President is Missing. During this interview published on Monday, Mr. Melvin asked President Clinton several questions regarding his affair with former White House Intern, Monica Lewinsky. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of this interview.
In this image, captured as he says the word "Constitution" ("I think I did the right thing. I defended The Constitution", during 1:37 - 1:40), Bill Clinton is crossing both his legs and arms. Few people will be surprised to know this conveys a significantly defensive mindset. While it's possible that a person sitting in this nonverbal posture may feel cold - and it's important to rule out that possibility - in this moment, President Clinton emotions are significantly beta, vulnerable, and of low confidence.
He maintained this body posture throughout most ofthis interview.
This image was taken during 3:35, as President Clinton says, "I had a sexual harassment policy when I was governor in the eighties" - and it shows a classic Rationalization Rapport Empathy Expression (R2E2).
A Rationalization Rapport Empathy Expression may be of very short duration (a microexpression) - or it can last several seconds.
Body language beginners will often confuse an R2E2 with a disgust display - yet the underlying emotions of each are vastly different (How do to differentiate between these two signals?).
All human beings make the R2E2 expression on occasion. But when it's displayed frequently - or during crucial moments - you should always ask yourself:
• How do I feel about their overall level of sincerity (What's their Sincerity Quotient)?
• What are my gut feelings of their motive(s)?
• What was their primary emotion as they spoke?
• What, specifically, are they trying to convince me of/for what are they trying to Gain my Rapport?
• Do they truly believe what they, themselves, are saying?
• Are they feigning a weakness?/Trying to Gain my Empathy? If so, what is it? Why?
A person displaying of an R2E2 expression is actively rationalizing. They are either trying to convince themselves of something - and/or they're also trying to recruit you to agree with them - as a Co-Rationalizer.
A second later, during 3:36 we see a fascinating amalgamation of two classic nonverbal signals:
In the image immediately above, you can see a classic expression of:
• Elevated Central Forehead Contraction combined with
• a Partial (Insincere) Mouth Smile.
We all make this expression from time-to-time (hopefully not too frequently). It indicates one of the following three emotions:
• Disbelief (more specifically, a Smug-Disbelief with an element of Impatient-Dismissal)
• Contempt
• Arrogance
It's important to point out that all three of these emotions may also be manifested by different facial expressions.
But we all make this expression, on occasion - yet those people who make it frequently with high probability are Sociopaths (Antisocial Personality Disorder).
Another superimposed and simultaneous nonverbal signal (3:36 - 3:40, 3:44 - 3:45) which can't be captured in this still image - due to its movement - is what is called a Self-Righteous Head Wiggle (SRHW, aka, High-Confidence Head Wiggle).
A Self-Righteous Head Wiggle is a relatively rapid, side-to-side motion of the head and neck. Sometimes it occurs with a similar movement of the torso - and on occasion the jaw as well (and may be even isolated to only the jaw).
Sometimes the SRHW is very brief (a near-microexpression) - however, in these examples, it's a few seconds in duration.
The Self-Righteous Head Wiggle (SRHW) is commonly displayed during moments of hyper-alpha emotions of particularly high confidence - and primarily while also verbally expressing similarly strong opinions.
It's somewhat helpful to think of the Self-Righteous Head Wiggle as one variety of nonverbal swagger.
Please watch this video several times to note it's full context and dynamic nature.
Now, look at this image taken from a later moment in this video which includes an older segment of President Clinton during his 1998 Public "Apology" (4:22) as he says, "... Monica Lewinsky ..."
Note it's similarity to the other example previously cited:
• An Elevated Central Forehead Contraction
• A Partial (Insincere) Mouth Smile
But in addition, there's also a:
• Raised Right Eyebrow (with his right forehead also being preferentially contracted just above it) - projecting an additional emotion of Disbelief/Incredulity.
This expression does NOT project sincerity or empathy - and it's absolutely NOT an expression which should ever accompany an apology (Notice his face did not adopt this same expression when President Clinton speaking to his family).
In this moment (4:49) as James Patterson comes to The President's defense - it shows Clinton in a Tongue-in-Cheek configuration which, in this context, signals the thought-emotion of I Just Won.
Whenever an apology is made - whether during a relatively small everyday event with a single individual, in a workplace environment, or an entire nation - from a psychological perspective as well as from a crisis management perspective - several key elements must always be included if the apology is to interpreted as sincere.
The components of a Sincere Apology are:
1. An apology must always be given by the person who committed the act in question - not by a manager, an attorney, a press secretary - or other surrogates.
2. An apology must never be scripted - but must be spoken from the heart.
3. An apology to the public should be given live - with press access. While some substitute this with a prerecorded video-audio format - this projects an attempt at control and viewed as considerably less sincere.
4. A public apology to a surrogate or group should never be a substitute for apologizing a person face-to-face.
5. There must be a clear acknowledgement of responsibility.
6. A commitment to change must be made - so as to prevent further infractions.
7. An apology must include a specific repair offering (which should also include an asking, "What would you have me do to help make amends?")
8. Asking for forgiveness is required with an apology (e.g., Saying, "I'm sorry", while required - is incomplete. One must also say, "Please forgive me", or "In time, I hope you will find it in your heart to forgive me", or similar.
9. Regret must be expressed - "I very much regret what I did to you".
10. The vocal qualities (tone, cadence, volume, etc.) must be congruent with sincerity.
11. The facial nonverbal signals and other body language displays must reflect sincerity.
SUMMARY: This analysis does not address the political ramifications of President Clinton's
relationship with Monica Lewinsky. Nor does it address the immorality vs. morality of an extramarital affair. Rather it focuses on some of Bill Clinton's
nonverbal behavior - and what constitutes an emotionally intelligent and
evolved apology.
I call upon President Clinton to publicly re-address his statements and his stance taken in this video - and the manner in which he believed he "apologized" to Monica Lewinsky. Bill Clinton should sincerely apologize to Monica Lewinsky - and this can only be fully conveyed in-person. In addition, President Clinton should state publicly that he was absolutely wrong and that the burden of responsibility was completely on him, not Monica Lewinsky.
When a person fails - and fails privately - then one day recovers to right their wrongs - they become better a better person.
That's growth. That's maturity. That's character. When a person fails - and fails publicly - then one day recovers to right their wrongs - we all become better people by their example. That's leadership.
The Cleveland Cavaliers lost the first game of the 2018 NBA finals to the Golden State Warriors 124 - 114 in overtime on Thursday night. It was a phenomenal game marred by several controversies at the end. Perhaps the most unusual of these involved Cleveland's J.R. Smith. With 4.7 seconds to go in regulation, Cleveland's George Hill missed his second free throw which would have given the Cavs a one-point lead. Cleveland's J.R. Smith grabbed the offensive rebound quite close to the basket with 4.0 seconds left - only to take the ball out to midcourt - then passing it to Hill with less than a second left. Hill took an off-balanced three (or long two) point shot with 0.1 left on the clock, but it was blocked. Most feel that J.R. Smith's actions probably cost Cleveland the game.
What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of LeBron James' response to questions regarding J.R. Smith at the post-game press conference.
This image was captured at 0:51 in the above video, just after ESPN's Mark Schwartz asked Lebron, "Do you know if he [J.R. Smith] knew the score?"
Notice that LeBron's upper eyelids are partially closed as he rolls his eyes. An eye roll is a conscious or edge-of-consciousness display of:
• Contempt
and
• Impatient Dismissal
As LeBron turns away to leave, his upper eyelids entirely close for a few seconds. Such prolonged eyelid closure (or partial closure) is a form of psychological blocking behavior - further amplifying his dismissal of and contempt for Schwartz.
A second after Schwartz says, "Thank you", James' raises his right forehead and eyebrow in a moment of incredulity (notice that his center and left forehead are relaxed).
As he's walking out of the press conference, LeBron James points at David Schwartz and says, "Be better tomorrow". In almost every context, Index finger (forefinger) pointing is highly offensive and patronizing across all cultures.
On Friday 1 June 2018, Donald Trump met with former North Korean spy chief Kim Yong-chol in the Oval Office for about 90 minutes. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of the President - with a focus on one particular tell.
DONALD TRUMP (beginning at 0:00): We'll be, ah - meeting on June twelfth in Singapore - went very well - it's really 'getting to know you' kind of a - situation. Ah, Mike has spent two days, ah, doing this. We've gotten to know their people very well and we will - you people are going to have to travel, because you'll be in Singapore 'n June twelfth. Ah - and I'll think it will be a process. It's not - I d't-, I never said it goes in one meeting - I think it's going to be a process. But the relationships are building and that's a very positive thing.
During, 0:29, as he says, "... relationships ...", he moves his right hand/arm gesturing using two rapid cyclical rotations - while advancing his hand anterior-laterally with his palm is facing in (toward his torso). Crucially, during this dynamic, his index finger is flexed (retracted) - but the other digits are extended.
This gesture is but one of many examples of what are known
as alpha-beta hybrids. Alpha-beta hybrids are not pure alpha, nor pure
beta - but somewhere in between. In general, the use of alpha-beta
hybrids is wise. Politicians certainly don't use them anywhere near as
often as they should - rather they tend to default to alpha and
hyper-alpha nonverbal behavior (which, although solidifies their base
- these will alienate swing/independent voters).
While this particular gesture - with the index finger retracted and all the other digits extended - is not idiosyncratic to Trump, it's relatively rare in the general population. And although it IS an alpha-beta hybrid, this illustrator lives toward the beta end of that Goldilocks zone.
Because the forefinger (index finger) is the most alpha/most powerful of all the
digits, this non-usage gesture is known as the Forefinger Retraction, Forefinger Flexing, or Fearful Forefinger.
Thus, in a very literal way, this dynamic is the exact opposite an extremely Hyper-Alpha gesture - Forefinger Pointing - (where the forefinger [index finger] is extended, and all the other digits are retracted).
SUMMARY: When we observe his Fearful Forefinger Retraction in dynamic context - it unequivocally tells us that the President is having a momentary downturn of his confidence. Its presence projects a hesitancy to commit/not wanting to engage. Moreover, as its name suggests, there's also a component of fear present.
On Wednesday 30 May, during a White House Press Briefing, Sarah Huckabee Sanders choked up in response to a question from a 13-year-old boy (Benjamin Choucroun). What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of this exchange.
BENJAMIN CHOUCROUN (beginning at 13:02): At my school, we recently had a lockdown drill. One thing that affects mine and other students’ mental health is the worry about the fact that we or our friends could get shot at school. Specifically, can you tell me what the administration has done and will do to prevent these senseless tragedies?
SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS: I think that ahhh - as a kid, and certainly as a parent, there is nothing that could be more terrifying for a kid to go to school and not feel safe. So I’m sorry that you feel that way. This administration takes it seriously, and the School Safety Commission that the President convened is meeting this week, again, an official meeting, ah, to discuss the best ways forward and how we can do every single thing within our power to protect kids in our schools and to make them feel safe and make their parents feel good about dropping them off.
During13:05, just after Benjamin Choucroun says, "We recently had a lockdown drill ...", Sarah Huckabee Sanders displays a cluster of:
During 13:08, just as Mr. Choucroun says the word, "... mental...", Ms. Sanders creates a relative vacuum in her mouth - thus sucking in her cheeks as she once again displays an extended blink.
This dynamic is indicative of anxiety.
Ms. Huckabee Sanders repeats this sucking-in cheek display once again during 13:09 - 13:10
Then during 13:18 - 13:19, Ms. Huckabee Sanders displays successive hard swallows - indicating additional heightened anxiety.
During 13:22, Ms. Huckabee Sanders displays a Jaw Confessional, just prior to saying, "... as a kid ..."
A Jaw Confessional is characterized by a brief sideways movement of the jaw and it indicates sincerity in what a person says immediately afterward (In this case, "... as a kid - and certainly, as a parent, there is nothing that could be more terrifying for a kid to go to school and not feel safe ...").
As she says, "... terrifying ...", Sarah Huckabee Sanders:
• Pulls away her torso and head away from the audience
• Her Voice cracks
• Voice grows higher in pitch
• Inner (medial) eyebrows vector downward
• Mouth takes on a sad configuration
A Jaw Jut betrays her surge in adrenaline, just after she says, "... terrifying ..."
As she says "... safe ..." (at the end of the sentence, "... for a kid to go to school and not feel safe ..."), her face grows sadder (note down-turned inner (medial) eyebrows - as well as her down-turned mouth corners).
Once again, her voice grows higher in pitch - and it cracks.
Yet less than a second later, the White House Press Secretary is trying to smile.
But during 13:28, as she says, "... I'm sorry ...", her facial expression again becomes more empathetically-sad.
And yet, she continues her sentence with, "... I'm sorry that you feel that way ...". From a statement analysis perspective, this phrase is not apologizing at all. It's as if she's saying, "You may feel that way, but your feelings aren't based on reality. Your feelings aren't objective". It invalidates his experience and perspective. This specific statement overlaps with emotions of contempt and refusal to admit any responsibility.
At the end of this same sentence, as she says the word, "...way ...", (13:30) she looks down to her right (the corner we most frequently look to [by far] when experiencing emotional pain) - as she is trying to smile.
SUMMARY: During this exchange, Sarah Huckabee Sanders is experiencing strong cognitive and emotional dissonance. There are nonverbal (as well as verbal and paralanguage) elements of both sincerity and insincerity. This is because she's experiencing the emotional tension between what she feels as an individual - and what she's required to think-feel-say as the White House Press Secretary. It's a truly Jekyll and Hyde moment. This is Sophocles' Antigone - but with the opposite ending.
