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Nonverbal communication -

Nonverbal communication accounts for two-thirds of all communications. Body language alone represents over 50% of all nonverbal communication. Tone of voice takes up another large chunk and words are estimated to account for less than 10%, according to Psychology Today.

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What’s the psychology behind it? - Former FBI Special Agent and author, Joe Navarro, explains in an article on Psychology Today that, “Our needs, feelings, thoughts, emotions, and intentions are processed elegantly by what is known as the "limbic system" of the brain. It doesn't have to think, it just reacts to the world in real time and our bodies show how we feel.”

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Why nonverbal communication matters in politics - According to the Huffington Post, people have about 30 seconds to make a good first impression. This is critical in politics as, often times, media appearances are extremely short.

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The importance of body language in politics - Body language specialist Mark Bowden told the BBC that, “All body language is a display or a response to power,” and that “People make decisions on trusted and credible behavior, not words.”

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Posture - Executive coach Carol Kinsey Goman, Ph.D., let Forbes in on the advice she gives to politicians: “Arms held at waist height, and gestures within that horizontal plane, help you--and the audience--feel centered and composed."

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Hand gestures - We pay particular attention to hands. This is because our brains are wired to look out for any signs of danger, and not seeing someone’s hands might make us feel nervous. Politicians use a wide range of hand gestures to convey a number of messages, but at its core, hands should be exposed at all times.

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Waving -

Waving is a way to connect with an audience. It conveys popularity and makes politicians look friendly and approachable, especially when they give small waves.

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Precision grip - This is a popular hand gesture used by politicians all over the world. It’s often used to make a point while addressing an audience and is a powerful and emphatic movement.

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"A-OK" - This hand gesture is similar to the precision grip in its effect, but is not as popular in North America.

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Palms up - Author and body language expert Nicolas Fradet  argues that this gesture has a positive effect on people. Palms up, especially when combined with outstretched arms, conveys openness, trustworthiness, and acceptance. However, spreading the fingers widely and restricting arm movement may turn it into a pleading position.

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Palms down - This gesture indicates confidence and authority, but can also convey dominance or defiance. Facing the palms downward can also be used in an attempt to quiet an audience.

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Open palms at an angle - According to Forbes, this gestures indicates openness, as if the politicians are showing the audience that they have nothing to hide.

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Clenched fists - This gesture demonstrates firmness and a “let’s do this” attitude. However, if the politician grips an object tightly or twists their hands into fists, it can signal frustration or anger.

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Hand on chest - This gesture is used by politicians to make audiences believe they’re speaking from the heart. It’s a way to ask people to believe in them as well as ask for acceptance.

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Chopping movements - This is usually done to emphasize a point. It demonstrates that politicians are sure about a certain topic and that they are not going to change their mind.

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Finger pointing - This gesture can have different meanings depending on the context. Pointing a finger at a person is often a way to reprehend and can be quite confrontational and even aggressive. A politician may resort to this gesture to indicate that they’re losing control of a debate and resorting to child-like behavior.

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Finger pointing - However, if fingers are pointed in a playful way, it can indicate acknowledgement or approval. Another variation that many politicians use is pointing their fingers upwards, which is interpreted as a sign of confidence.

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Hand steepling -

Placing the fingertips together in this position is a sign of confidence and knowledge about the topic at hand.

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Head up - Bowing one's head is a sign of submission and a politician doesn't want to come across as submissive. Head and chin up will convey the opposite message and will make the politician look powerful and in control.

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Smile - Politicians usually smile less if they want to be perceived as serious. Science of People argues that smiling is in fact a sign of submission.

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Handshake - We often see politicians shaking hands. Political leaders usually have a firm handshake and try to assert dominance by placing their hand slightly on top. However, the majority of politicians shake their hands up and down equally.

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First presidential debate on TV - The first presidential debate was aired in 1960. The debate was between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. According to Forbes, TV viewers recognized Kennedy as the winner, while those who had listened to the debate on the radio said Nixon had won the debate.

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Why did this happen? -

Kennedy made use of nonverbal communication to win the debate. The young candidate wore makeup, spoke directly at the camera while answering questions, and looked relaxed and confident. On the other hand, an unshaven and pale Nixon could be seen wiping sweat from his forehead as Kennedy pressed him on a number of issues.

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Martin Luther King Jr. -

When the iconic civil rights activist's famous 'I Have A Dream' speech is examined, it is possible to see that he kept his chin up and shook his head repeatedly back and forth throughout the entire speech. Body language expert Michael C. Anthony calls it a “head shake of injustice and determination” and explains further that: “His quest for change is supported with a subtle righteous anger that must be heard.”

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Nelson Mandela - Perhaps the most effective nonverbal communication weapon in Mandela’s arsenal was his sincere smile. His partially closed eyelids, pinched cheeks, and relaxed forehead made him look warm, honest, and trustworthy.

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Fidel Castro - The late Cuban president was known for his "double L" hand gesture. The gesture conveyed a level of mistrust towards the person he would be speaking to, as if to say, “I’m not sure I believe what you’re saying.”

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German Party Leader -

According to Business Insider, the infamous party leader was known to rehearse hand gestures and body language to use in his speeches.

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German Party Leader -

The individual would rehearse facial expressions and gestures in the mirror, and even call in a photographer for later analysis, according to the Body Language Project.

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Donald Trump -

Body language and communications expert Mary Civiello explained Trump’s key hand gestures to the BBC. His trademark "L shape and pinch" hand gesture transmits precision, or as Civiello puts it, “not wishy-washy, he’s got this nailed!”

See also: Generational differences in US politics today

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