1/ THREAD: Body Language Analysis No. 4025-T: Alan Dershowitz, Donald Trump's Impeachment Trial, and Novice Nonverbal Behavior (PHOTO) • #BodyLanguageExpert #BodyLanguage #AlanDershowitz #Nonverbal #ImpeachmentTrials 
2/ During a good portion of his attempt at a legal defense of Donald Trump, Alan Dershowitz held his hands in a Steeple configuration.
3/ To be even more specific, this Steeple variation was also both a:
A. Conventional Steeple (in distinction to other steepling gestures, i.e., a Basketball Steeple, a one-handed steeple, a pistol steeple, etc.),
A. Conventional Steeple (in distinction to other steepling gestures, i.e., a Basketball Steeple, a one-handed steeple, a pistol steeple, etc.),
4/ and also a:
B. Mid-Steeple (termed 'mid' because it is held roughly halfway up the body and not held higher [High Steeple], such at the level of the neck or face, — and not lower such as in front of the lower torso or groin [Low Steeple]).
B. Mid-Steeple (termed 'mid' because it is held roughly halfway up the body and not held higher [High Steeple], such at the level of the neck or face, — and not lower such as in front of the lower torso or groin [Low Steeple]).
5/ A Conventional Steeple is not just an alpha nonverbal gesture — it's hyper-alpha. Mr. Dershowitz was poorly coached and was told to display this signal frequently. This is amateurish advice.
6/ You may like a particular strong spice — but like any good cook, you probably know that while a little may taste good, a little bit more can ruin your dish [Dersh].
7/ The conventional steeple is a body language analog to using multiple exclamation points at the end of a sentence. Would you trust a lawyer who did that? Would you trust a politician? A salesperson? A partner? Your answer should be a resounding, "No".
8/ For the same reason, you must resist the temptation to use this body language 99.99% of the time. Use it only as you speak the most important single syllable of the most important word of the most important sentence of your entire speech or presentation, no more.
9/ SUMMARY: Mr. Dershowitz was poorly coached. The conventional steeple gesture should only be used on rare occasions. As with his verbal defense, he was also trying way too hard with his nonverbal behavior.
continued ...
continued ...
10/ Whenever you see a person using a conventional steeple, know that this is unnatural body language. It's fully orchestrated and contrived. It's an affectation. They are trying to manipulate you. Take heed.
END
END
Addendum:
As with all hyper-alpha body language, if used, it will:
• Drive further away those who already oppose your point-of-view
• Alienate those who are undecided about what you're saying
• Even a substantial % of those who agree with your viewpoint will become unsure
As with all hyper-alpha body language, if used, it will:
• Drive further away those who already oppose your point-of-view
• Alienate those who are undecided about what you're saying
• Even a substantial % of those who agree with your viewpoint will become unsure
• • •
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