2020 CANDIDATES: TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AND LISTEN

     There isn't anything or anyone that Donald Trump won't criticize. Recently, this included the way Beto O'Rourke uses his hands. Such gesturing is just too much, according to the President. O'Rourke responded with examples of Trump's employment of his own gesturing. Those instances weren't great, either.

     Observing the 2020 Presidential candidates, there isn't one person among them who doesn't use a myriad of gestures and other non-verbal behavior to convey his/her messages. If there are criticisms aimed at these communication codes, it probably is because they call attention to themselves. That's when people get in trouble.

     Yet, often, these non-verbal markers can help make communication more effective. Why? Because they enhance meaning, increasing the ability to interpret what someone is really saying.  Let's take two kinds of gestures as  examples. Emblems stand as substitutes for words/phrases as in motioning "Come here" instead of saying the term. Illustrators reinforce verbal language like when someone nods his/her head for the word, "Yes."  

     It seems that the 2020 candidates use both emblems and illustrators frequently and to good advantage. Elizabeth Warren is a master of this when she is explaining an idea where numbers are important, counting off with her fingers each point. She may even make points employing her hands instead, moving them in a choppy manner through the air. Each chop stands for a number or instance. People have complained that this is disorienting and calls attention  to itself. Nonetheless, in this case listeners will remember such a precise gesture even better than none at all. Warren also stretches out her arm ( to the right or left ) indicating, not a number, but the length of something. Simply put, her multitude of gestures are flexible, meaningful and memorable.

     Many of Bernie Sanders's gestures are different from Warren's: he will use his arm to make a circle, meaning "after all of that." Watch Sanders closely, and you will get a sense that his gesturing is somewhat more passionate, figurative and all-encompassing.

     Clothing and artifacts are also considered salient non-verbal behavior that convey meaning. Although most people don't realize it, they are just as noticeable as gestures. Again, consider Warren and Sanders. Warrens' clear glasses make her seem sincere, academic and knowledgeable while Sanders similar-style glasses make him look old. Warren's three-quarter length jackets give her a serious, almost masculine-like appearance while her bright-colored tops (purple, pink ) are cheerful and more feminine. Thus, Warren's attire conveys a mixed message, resembling both masculine and feminine demeanors. Which is probably what she had in mind.

     Vocal codes ( paralanguage ) like pitch, rate, volume, and articulation can also convey a mixed message especially when combined with other aspects such as clothing. Consider Kamala Harris who wears more feminine attire, including jewelry ( a pearl necklace ). Yet her vocal pitch is deep and strong, unlike Warren's higher-sounding voice.

Harris has effectively bonded a feminine and masculine style through non-verbal elements.

     When some people are bothered by various  non-verbal behavior, take another look ( and listen). Such aspects may be a candidate's greatest asset.