Gestures of Authority and Aggression

The index finger (Aggression)

The extended index finger, used for pointing, is strongly associated with authority, but in a negative and aggressive way.

Pointing a finger at a person is one of the most irritating and off-putting gestures in an interaction.

In the aforementioned study on speakers, when the gesture of pointing with the index finger was introduced, positive reviews from the audience plummeted to only 28%.

It is a gesture of aggressive dominance, often used to give orders or blame, and is very likely to generate a negative or defensive reaction in the listener.

The "pinch" of authority (Alternative to the index finger).

Because of the negativity of the index finger, many public figures and experienced speakers use a more subtle alternative: the "pinch" gesture, where the pad of the thumb is joined with the pad of the index finger.

This gesture retains the message of authority, precision and assertiveness, but eliminates the perceived aggression of the extended finger.

It is a much more polished and effective way to emphasize a point without creating hostility in the audience.

The Needle or Bell Tower (Confidence and Control).

A gesture that projects high confidence, control and assertive thinking is the "needle" or "steeple".

This gesture consists of bringing the fingertips of both hands together, without the palms touching.

It indicates that the person feels absolutely sure of what he/she is saying and is in total control of the situation or his/her thoughts.

It is a classic posture of authority and evaluation, often used by leaders or experts when giving their opinion.

For it to be effective, it is essential that the hands are visible (e.g., on the table).

The "Hand Chop

The "hand chop" gesture, which consists of moving one hand vigorously up and down, sometimes striking the palm of the other hand, is an authoritative gesture used to emphasize a statement.

However, if used aggressively, it can be intimidating to the audience, as if the speaker is "pounding to get the message i