The last four presidential elections, I've
been asked to be on TV stations all over the
world to share with people what is the real
message being given by the body language.
So it's not always the words that are spoken
that tell you the deepest meaning of the message
that is trying to be given.
So let's today look at the debate that happened
between Hillary and Barack.
What messages were really being given?
If you examine the body language, Hillary's
body language tended to have hooded eyes,
deep uptight lines to the face, with a slight
upturn to the corners, and intensity that
came through.
She even used the words that say, "I'm a fighter!
I'm a fighter!"
And you could see that coming through in her
body language.
Obama's body language, in contrast, had his
head tilted to one side, his shoulders relaxed,
he uses hands often as he talks, his voice
contain very straightforward, simplicity in
its tone and its volume.
What came across in the difference between
the two styles was his style came across with
a lot of confidence.
The feeling that in a turmoil in having a
negotiation.
This will be a person that will keep his cool.
This will be a person that will take and listen
to all the facts and information.
This will be a person that will look at what's
the best resolution overall.
In contrast, the intensity that was seen in
Clinton's body language as she talked gave
the feeling that this will be a person that
in a situation, passion may override reasoning
which may not result in the best results for
the country.
This body language has a huge impact on the
message you are sending.
You know, in training executives all over
the world, one of the things I tell them is
watch all of the debates because the message
being given is not so much the words.
It's the feeling that is impacted to other
people.
And what is the feeling that is given?
Let's look at two more instances in this debate.
First one is where Hillary came out and said,
"You know, I think it's funny that I always
seem to get the first question."
She said, "I don't mind answering it but I
wonder why do I always get the first question."
Right there, her body language and her wording
told you about her mindset, and the mindset
that was being displayed was one that says,
"I've already lost.
You're sending me the first question because
you want me to give the information out.
You want me to be in the hot seat.
Then you're gonna give him the position of
countering what I say."
Hmm...
Imagine if she had said, "I wanna thank you
for the opportunity that I continue to get
in getting the first question launched at
me.
You know it's a wonderful time as a president,
what you need to display is that quick wit,
ability to answer questions right off the
bat, and I welcome this opportunity to continually
display the facts and figures behind all of
my reasoning.
So let's look at the question that you gave
me."
Wouldn't that have come off as far more confident?
Someone that says, "Hmm..maybe you are great
in taking that first question."
So as you watch the elections, don't only
watch the debates to see what the person is
verbally saying, but watch for your gut reaction.
Because that's the body language that you
are reading of the individual.
And it has far more power than even the words
that are being said.
You can tell whether they're telling the truth,
whether they're lying to you, whether they're
uncertain, and what their view on leadership
is, and how they will execute that leadership.
This has been Anne Warfield with Impression
Management Professionals.
You can go to our website at www.impressionmanagement.com
to hit on the blogs and see as I continually
follow the thinking of leaders around the
world and show you how to demonstrate that
critical thinking in both your body language
and your words.
