Thread by @DrGJackBrown

THREAD: Body Language Analysis No. 4322: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence #VladimirPutin #DonaldTrump #TrumpPutinSummit #BodyLanguage #BodyLanguageExpert #Nonverbal #EmotionalIntelligence #Blushing

1/ To date, this is one of the most widely shared images of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. It was taken during the APEC Summit in Danang, Vietnam on 11 November 2017.

2/ From a nonverbal perspective, it's particularly telling. Vladimir Putin's expression is that of a partial, yet sincere smile with the necessary components of:

3/
• Partially closed eyelids
• Concave-up furrows in each lower eyelid
• Partial mouth smile
• A relaxed forehead (while he does have age-related, passive "wrinkles", Putin's forehead muscles are not actively contracting)

4/ President Putin's smile is not fully developed - and crucially, he's trying to suppress it. And as often occurs when one is suppressing a smile - blushing ensues.

Blushing cannot be consciously controlled.

5/ Of course, blushing is NOT a requirement in order for a smile to be considered sincere - and all blushing does not coexist with a smile. However, if a person is blushing whilst smiling, their smile is virtually ALWAYS sincere.

6/ It's profoundly important to keep in mind that you may not share the other person's motives for their smile or welcome their actions. What brings them joy-happiness won't necessarily do the same for you.

7/ In this context, Mr. Putin's blushing likely is indicative of:

• Deception
• Clandestine motives/plans
• Difficulty containing his excitement

Much less likely causes include:

• Embarrassment
• Nervousness/Anxiety

8/ Summary: The phenomenon of blushing is involuntary and uncontrollable, even by former KGB officers. Blushing is a signal that control has temporarily been lost. The person is letting a thought-emotion slip through - one which they would much rather conceal.

continued ...

9/ Blushing during a smile always conveys the sincerity of the smile - but be warned, for it does not speak to the purity/ethics of their motives. This phenomenon is often significant for an incongruity versus their simultaneous spoken words.

continued ...

10/ It's a literal and metaphorical red flag. During such disparities between nonverbal and verbal messages - it's the nonverbal language which is telling the truth.

END