Body Language & Emotional Intelligence

Last Friday David Cameron gave a speech outside Number 10 regarding the Brexit. He also announced his intention to resign. His spouse Samantha stood off to his left according to protocol. What was not protocol however was the way she was standing.





Note that her left arm is reaching behind her back with her hand holding her right arm at the elbow. This arm configuration is both casual and tentative. In the alpha-beta body language continuum - this stance is considerably beta and indicative of relatively low confidence and emotional discomfort. While she is only human, and of course very disappointed in the prior day's turn of events - a person should never stand in this manner while on stage or next to a person giving a speech - particularly when that person is a head-of-state.













This website serves as an objective reference source for the science and art of Body Language/Nonverbal Communication. In an effort to be both practical and academic, many examples from/of varied cultures, politicians, professional athletes, legal cases, public figures, etc., are cited in order to teach and illustrate both the interpretation of others’ body language as well as the projection of one’s own nonverbal skills in many different contexts – not to advance any political, religious or other agenda.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3601: Casey Neistat & Candice Pool - Water Spit Challenge - Laughing and Mirror Neurons

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3599: The Brexit, David Cameron announces his Resignation and Protection

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3597: David Cameron, The Brexit and Suppressing Emotions

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3581: Hillary Clinton and Likability

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3470: Taylor Swift's Speech at 2016 Grammys

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3469: Leonardo DiCaprio and Dame Maggie Smith on BAFTA Awards Kiss Cam - The British Academy Film Awards

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3445: Harrison Ford Re-enacts 'I Love You' Scene from Star Wars - The Graham Norton Show

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3457: Chelsea Clinton refers to Bernie Sanders as "President Sanders


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The body language displayed in this first Time Magazine cover (left) is by far the best of the three Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) shown on this page - although it can certainly be improved upon. His feet cannot be seen but are clearly "felt" to be about a shoulder's width apart - which is very alpha and what is expected to be seen-felt in a leader. Woman leaders, often in an effort to appear feminine, stand with their feet close together and thus appear diminutive and very beta. While the "not-too alpha-but-not-too-beta zone" is (very unfairly) more difficult to navigate for women (a huge double-standard), every female leader should nonetheless endeavor to do so. Women should stand with their feet just slightly closer together than men (about an inch less than shoulder's width) during any such "leadership moments".

The Junior Senator from Florida's hands are relaxed - showing no tension. This lack of tension is important. It sends signals of a person who is comfortable in his/her own skin and confident. He looks as if his right hand is about to reach out (perhaps in a handshake, note also that his right shoulder is lower) and he also seems to be leading slightly with his right foot-leg. Although this a "static" image and thus only a moment in time, this implied motion gives Rubio a bit of dynamism here. 




In this close-up from the above cover, Marco Rubio's facial expression shows a trace of contempt. Not the best choice - however it is subtle.While his face is probably meant to show readiness and assertiveness, it would have been considerably better to show a sincere smile.














In this National Review cover from September 2009, Senator Rubio like many alpha's - male or female, politicians or CEOs, actors or athletes - have and will continue to pose in this arms-crossed configuration on the front of magazines. It's not only old and it's tired - it's WRONG. It does not send the message they want to project. They are never sending signals of confidence when they pose or adopt this configuration - for this nonverbal is consistent with a defensive and closed-off mindset.

Senator Rubio's face also shows clear signals of anger with mild incredulity.













In this lower resolution image of an earlier Time Magazine cover, Senator Rubio is shown in a lower confidence body language stance. Nearly all forms of self-touching signal anxiety, and his particular hand-to-hand nonverbal here is a good example of a beta body language. In it, Senator Rubio's nonverbals are considerably non-assertive and demure. He is hesitant. While most people cannot necessarily "bullet point" and dissect this image, they are certainly left with these emotional impressions.









See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2215:  Paul Ryan and Marco Rubio Joke and Hint regarding the  2016 Presidential Race - "Tongue-in-Cheek" Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1600:  Senator Marco Rubio - Sincerity, Self-directed Incredulity & Humor, Blocking and Appeals for the Vice Presidency

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1869:  One Body Language Signal a President Should Never Display

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 199:  When a Lie is Told, Heard or Visualized by ....Vladimir's Eye

Negotiation Body Language Secret # 913:  Low Confidence, Low Trust and Demure

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret # 1085:  Low Confidence vs. High Confidence  Kennedy and Eisenhower

Nonverbal Communication Analysis #1843:  United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice  in Response to Syrian Government's Houla Massacre

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