Thread by @DrGJackBrown

1/ THREAD: Body Language Analysis No. 4648: Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin in Beijing — Putin is off his game.

#BodyLanguageExpert #BodyLanguage #EmotionalIntelligence #BarackObama #VladimirPutin

2/ This image of Vladimir Putin, in conversation with President Obama, was taken in November of 2014 in Beijing at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit.

(Photo Credit: Pete Souza)

3/ We cannot see President Obama's face, but Putin's expression is uncharacteristically emotional. This degree of public display — particularly from Putin — is rare from the leader of a country.

4/ Look at this close up. Take Notice that his forehead contracted and elevation. While Putin's forehead is frequently elevated, the all the additional accompanying facial characteristics change his 'normal' into an entirely different emotion.

5/ Look again at Putin's forehead — his left forehead. Although both of his eyebrows are elevated, his left eyebrow is noticeably higher than his right. This additional forehead contraction — this asymmetrical elevation — indicates disbelief.

6/ Putin's eyelids are opened much wider than normal baseline. This is true for both his upper and lower eyelids. In addition, his lower eyelids are taut. These eye and eyelid changes are indications of a burst of adrenaline.

7/ His nostrils are flared — signaling the physiologic need for more oxygen (another adrenaline signal).

8/ The region below his nose and above his upper lip (his mustache region) is also considerably tightened.

9/ Putin's mouth and lips are rarely (publicly) seen in this configuration. They're pulled sharply backward (fear).

10/ Another crucial dynamic is the posterior displacement of Putin's jaw. It's being contracted backward (although the angle of this photo makes it a somewhat difficult to fully see). In this context, this jaw retraction is an additional sign of fear.

11/ Notice the vertical creases on the side of and beneath his mid-jaw. In addition, there is an excessive bunching-up of his neck tissue.

12/ Try replicating these changes on your own jaw and neck now, and you'll appreciate the degree of jaw retraction is that is happening in this moment.

13/ Now do the same with the your of whole face — one by one — replicate the expression of Putin's mouth/lips, nostrils, mustache area, eyes/eyelids, entire forehead/extra elevation with your left forehead.

14/ Replicate this entire facial expression. Repeat it several times. What emotions do you feel when you do this?

15/ SUMMARY: During this 2014 conversation with President Obama in Beijing, Vladimir Putin was feeling considerable Emotional Shock, trying to emotionally process new news, Anxiety, Disbelief, and Fear. Putin was caught off-guard. This was not feigned.

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16/ This analysis is yet another example of a personality flaw of Putin's — the further he is from Moscow, the greater his insecurity and the lower his emotional comfort.

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17/ This diminished home field advantage characteristic is dramatic for Putin relative to other heads-of-state.

18/ Addendum:

All those who need to/want to become more nuanced and skilled in your ability to read #BodyLanguage (as well as projecting your own properly), please email ([e-mail]) or DM me.

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