Impromptu

24Master Body Language

I once coached a bright young financial executive whose job involved speaking to potential investors. He was tall and attractive with a warm, engaging manner, so I assumed he would come across with executive presence. But at our first coaching session, when I turned the camera on and asked him to pretend he was talking to a prospective client, he displayed body language he'd never want to show a client: he nervously pulled his hair, shifted his weight from foot to foot, and occasionally reached into his pockets and jingled coins. He was a bundle of nerves. When I replayed the video, he was horrified. We worked on conveying a more confident body language, and he became an excellent speaker.

Projecting strong body language is important in all situations, particularly in spontaneous exchanges where there is no podium or PowerPoint slides to hide behind. Done well, body language is a powerful asset for those leading in the moment. It draws listeners to us and encourages them to engage with our ideas. It reinforces the substance and passion of our words. It sends important messages about our openness, our warmth, and our interest in the other person. With practice, we can train ourselves to become physically present in a way that inspires others.

Stand and Sit Tall

The way we sit and stand is remarkably important. In her TED Talk and her book, Presence, Amy Cuddy discusses why stance is crucial for speakers. Cuddy explains that humans, like all animals, ...