Thread by @DrGJackBrown

1/ THREAD: Body Language Analysis No. 4606: Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin — Geneva Summit 2021

#BodyLanguage #BodyLanguageExpert #EmotionalIntelligence #GenevaSummit2021 #Biden #Putin

2/ Although the resolution is somewhat less than optimal here, it's notable in this moment, just prior to their hands meeting, Joe Biden is looking Putin in the eye, but Vladimir is not doing the same — rather, he's looking at Biden's hand.

3/ I train CEOs, Politicians, Sales Professionals, Attorneys, Physicians, Directors, Actors, Negotiators, etc., and the low percentage of these professionals who make eye contact during a handshake is astounding.

4/ A handshake is one of those times when eye contact is of the utmost importance — indeed, it is even expected to last a few seconds longer than in most other social situations.

5/ In general, when eye contact is not made (or is poor) during a handshake, one of several explanations should be considered:

• Anxiety
• They're feeling Intimidated
• Fear
• Deception — past lie
• Deception — current or planned subterfuge

or ...

6/ Additional possible causes include:

• Vision Disorders
• Autism Spectrum
• Lack of social skills/experience
• Deliberately Sending Signals of Disrespect

7/ The most likely explanation here is that Putin is sending deliberate signals of disrespect. But how can we draw this conclusion?

8/ If we look at each man's right hands, we find another clue. Note how Biden's hand is nearly perpendicular to the ground — as evidenced by how much of his thumb is visible.

9/ Putin's hand is rotated to ~30-35º to the perpendicular (barely any thumb visible). This shows Putin's *attempt* at a dominant handshake where he's trying to end up on top — in the alpha position.

9/ ... But Putin's technique is common one — and it's no secret — 'twas well known to President Obama, so ...

10/ Biden was prepared and Putin's attempt at handshake dominance was not successful. Biden 'stepped into' the handshake (note his opposite/left foot and leg are slightly more forward) which gave him muscular leverage to rotate Putin's arm-hand to a perpendicular configuration.

11/ In this close-up, Biden's grip can be seen to be significantly stronger than Putin's.

12/ Thus, by careful evaluation of Putin's accompanying body language, we can see that his attempt at handshake dominance (attempt at intimidation) is congruent with his lack of eye contact and therefore, it was a deliberate message of disrespect.

Ω