How do you define a leader? How does listening to a friend differ to listening to someone you look up to? For neuroscientists, it’s physical. When a leader-follower relationship is successfully established, the two parties actually mirror each other’s brainwaves.

As the US prepares to elect a new president, they may subconsciously be choosing the leader whose facial expressions best reflect their cultural values. A Stanford study has found a link between the values of a nation and the smiles of its business and government leaders.

How are citizen journalists challenging traditional media? Why are grandparents becoming a more important part of the family? And why are students under more pressure than ever? This Cultural Snapshot uses local statistics and case studies to explore the behavioural norms shared by Americans in 2016.

As Americans prepare to elect a new president, what qualities are they looking for in their future leader? What values do they idealise, and what traits are non-negotiable? Canvas8 sat down with 20 men and women from across the US to find out what they think makes prime presidential material.