Key Points from the Lecture

Predicting Political Races

• In 2010 and 2014, the speaker successfully predicted the outcomes of most gubernatorial races.
• Predictions were based on the 'target effect' of candidates on voters, beyond what polls suggested.
• Relevant to business: appearances and body language impact interactions and presentations.

Importance of Congruence

• George Bush (2002) and Barack Obama (2012) won elections because they appeared congruent and believable.
• Non-verbal cues can reveal if a person's words and beliefs are aligned, affecting trust and likability.

Decision Making

• Decisions are often instinctual and emotional, justified by logic later.
• In business and politics, nonverbal congruence is crucial for persuasion.

Appearance in Persuasion

• Men use ties as a central piece of communication; women use full outfits.
• Color choices in clothing convey messages:
  • Blue: Future-oriented
  • Pink: Softens aggressive messages
  • Maroon: Credibility
  • Red: Attraction
• Hillary Clinton uses maroon for credibility and red for attraction, adjusting makeup accordingly.

Environment in Communication

• The physical environment, including smells, sounds, and seating arrangements, can influence outcomes.
• Example: Fast food restaurants use smells to attract customers, uncomfortable seating to encourage fast turnover.
• Example: Vietnam War peace negotiations took months to decide on seating arrangements.

Body Language

• Nonverbal communication must align with spoken words to avoid confusion.
• Key nonverbal messages: Credibility, openness, superiority, disinterest, insecurity, defensiveness, deceit.
• Politicians like Christine Gregoire and Barack Obama use gestures to reinforce congruence:
  • From-the-heart gestures
  • Authoritative but non-aggressive gestures
  • Pretending to hold a ball for mastery
  • Chopping gestures to conclude interactions

Political Predictions

• In 2012, speaker incorrectly predicted John Huntsman as a potential president due to misunderstanding differences in nomination vs. general election dynamics.
• 2016 Prediction: If Jeb Bush secures the nomination, likely to become the next president, otherwise Hillary Clinton could win against other Republican candidates.

Final Thoughts

• Nonverbal communication and environmental factors play crucial roles in politics and business.
• The lecture emphasizes the importance of congruence and strategic use of appearance and environment for successful persuasion.