expressing power

Have you ever tried to spot who’s the boss in a meeting room when you did not know the hierarchy amongst members? Could you see it from their posture or behaviors?

What struck me in this video is that posture (non-verbal signals) apparently not only influence how others think about us but also how we ourselves think and feel about us. Amy Cuddy presents a hack for preparing for potentially complicated situations, which we apprehend for various reasons: standing in a power-pose for 2 minutes will make us feel different, more in charge and capable of mastering what’s ahead.

I like this practice as it gives us a conscious break, a break to breathe and prepare ourselves to carry out the next steps with power and pride and poise.

As a practice, next time you feel anxious about an upcoming conversation, take a break (you can even use a toilet-break) and breathe deeply into your body while standing in your favorite power-pose. Notice how your apprehension changes and how you walk tall and straight into your next meeting.

I wish you fun while practicing, super-women and super-men!