GUEST POST/What the Prime Minister’s body language said but he did not say himself

By Paul Vincenti

Over the years I have coached hundreds of people in how to adapt their non-verbal (body) language and how to read that of others. It is one of the more popular courses I offer.

Interpreting non-verbal behaviour is fraught with challenges. What follows is a cursory analysis of the Prime Minster’s body language a few days ago at Enemalta Corporation, when he was quizzed by journalists during a press event. These are personal opinions based upon applied observation and my own skills set. They are in no way conclusive and only possible interpretations. You will need to make up your own minds about whether you agree with me or not.

PIC 1
The Prime Minister holds his right arm close and tight across his belly. This is a self-comforting gesture. It may indicate that he is feeling uncomfortable, but it could also mean that he is simply feeling cold.

It is the rest of the picture that reveals more information, however. The Prime Minister is a little hunched over, seemingly attempting to make himself look smaller – less of a target, if you like.

Even more telling is the fact that he scratches an imaginary itch on his nose. Imaginary itches are part of the auto-action set of ‘tells’. Often, when somebody touches their face it is a response to feelings of discomfort, stress or submission. Touching your face – nose, eye brows, cheeks or even hair – is akin to trying to recreate the comforting feelings of a parent in childhood. It is self-comforting.

The Prime Minister is boxed in by what seems to be a journalist to his left, by one of his ministers to his right and presumably by other journalists in front. There is no escape. Note how he leans ever so slightly away from the minister as the minister speaks to a journalist. This sometimes indicates an attempt at disassociation from the other person or what that other person is saying. It is a veiled form of public rejection that cannot be too overt but may also feel uncontrollable.

PIC 2
The Prime Minister continues to lean away. He seems to be trying to compose himself as just a spectator in the conversation. It is possible that he is trying, albeit unsuccessfully, to half-mirror some of the non-verbal actions of the other parties who are listening in. This could be another attempt at separating himself from the Minister.

Note how the Prime Minister’s shoulders have not aligned squarely towards the Minister, as one would expect. Only his head has turned towards him. The Prime Minister’s chin is slightly lowered as he listens to what the Minster is saying. A lowered chin is considered to be a sign of defensiveness (a raised chin of defiance). When lowered, the chin protects the neck – much as boxers would do in a bout.

While everyone else has aligned towards the Minister and look at him as he speaks, the Prime Minister drifts off in apparent thought. Worry, concern, even weariness, would be possible ways of defining his facial expression. These ‘tell’-clusters could also be further signs that he is not listening to what his Minister is saying, but perhaps rehearsing a range of possible replies to questions he may receive once the Minister stops speaking. He could also be trying to recall something that he may have said on another occasion.

Either way, they are potentially also signs of self-preservation.

PIC 3

The expression of concern continues as does the self-comforting action of ‘holding himself’ (pressure, stress). This behaviour is all the more notable because it is highly uncharacteristic for him. It is in stark contrast to his usual alert, confident posturing.

His face shows signs similar to those who are experiencing pain or discomfort. The ongoing questioning has possibly given him unpleasant feelings. The closed auto-comforting posture continues, as it did for the entire length of the interview.

NOTE
Reading non-verbal behavioUr is not a precise science and YOU must be careful not to draw too many conclusions based solely on individual ‘tells’ taken in isolation. The ‘tells’ build a picture when observed in clusters. This includes noting what is happening with a person’s face, their neck, their shoulders, the arms and torso, as well as their legs and overall posture.

Ideally, you need to listen to what is being said, consider the circumstances in which it is being said, and compare these, the words and the tonality used in the conversation to the non-verbal actions being observed.

It is important to consider what I have written while you watch the entire video from which I have taken these screenshots. The video is here.

The task is further complicated by the fact that the Prime Minister may have been out of sorts at the time. He may be influenced by climatic conditions, such as cold weather. It is also possible that he may have been experiencing and being affected by an unrelated issue at the time.

Please post your questions, comments and opinions, and I will do my best to answer them.