Baseline Behavior – Why It Matters
What does the body language of the two leaders say to you in the following picture?
Just yesterday, Bernie Sanders publicly announced his full support for Hillary Clinton in the run up to the presidential elections in the U.S. The above picture seems to suggest that the two leaders are mirroring each other’s hand gestures, standing close enough to each other to suggest they share comfort with each other, but what about facial expressions? Hillary looks elated, as she should be. But Sanders seems to be a bit reserved. Compressed lips generally suggest that the individual showing this is displaying distancing behavior, wanting to distance himself from the moment. So is that what this picture suggests, that Sanders does not have his heart into what he says?
Here, it is important to go back to his baseline behavior and study it before coming to any conclusions. Here he is, in a similar public facing scenario, that day also alongside Hillary, but the context was slightly different. The two were debating against each other, rather than supporting each other.
In fact, compressed lips is a part of Sanders’ baseline behavior. He displays this expression habitually whenever he speaks. So then, we would want to assume that his picture above with Hillary cannot be used to conclude anything at all.
Not so. If you pay attention to the frequency of this lips compressing behavior, it speaks volumes to us. Sanders displays it with less frequency when he is against Hillary, than when he is standing next to her. That says a lot to a body language observant. If in the footage of yesterday’s speech, he has increased the frequency of his expression, it tells me he is indeed nervous and is indeed trying to comfort himself.
Observing body language is not as simple as looking at a photograph and drawing conclusions. Paying attention to details matters. Have you had your body language analyzed by us? Call us today!
Learn more on Body language in our upcoming workshop Body Language in the workplace
at Bengaluru on 6th April’19
Photos courtsey: Youtube
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FAQ’s
What is baseline behaviour in body language analysis?
Baseline behaviour refers to the habitual patterns of expression, posture, and gestures that an individual consistently displays across situations. These patterns form the reference point against which meaningful deviations are identified. Without understanding a person’s baseline, observers risk assigning significance to behaviour that is simply habitual.
Why is baseline behaviour important when interpreting leaders’ nonverbal signals?
Senior leaders often operate under constant observation, where small gestures can be easily misinterpreted. Baseline behaviour allows observers to distinguish personality driven habits from situational reactions. This prevents premature conclusions about confidence, discomfort, agreement, or resistance.
How does frequency change affect body language interpretation?
A behaviour that is part of someone’s baseline can still reveal insight when its frequency noticeably increases or decreases. Such shifts may indicate emotional regulation, cognitive strain, or situational discomfort. Skilled observers therefore track patterns over time rather than relying on isolated cues.
Why can analysing a single photograph lead to incorrect conclusions?
A still image captures only one moment without behavioural context. Nonverbal interpretation requires observing movement, timing, and behavioural consistency across multiple situations. Without that broader behavioural pattern, a gesture may appear meaningful when it is simply habitual.
What should leaders focus on when evaluating nonverbal behaviour in professional settings?
Leaders should focus less on individual gestures and more on patterns, deviations from baseline, and contextual cues. This approach encourages disciplined observation rather than intuitive judgement, which is particularly valuable during negotiations, public communication, and leadership interactions.
