I am personally most interested in small interventions that can significantly and positively impact our life outcomes. These are what form the back bone of my training workshops on how to improve effectiveness as a manager etc.
Also non-verbals has been an area of great interest. So I was really eager to comprehend the import of Amy Cuddy’s research.
It has been established that we all make judgements based on other people’s body language. These judgements are often extremely significant ones such as who to hire, whom to marry etc…In fact, whenever there is a clash between the verbal and nonverbal communication received, we believe the non verbal.Social scientists attribute this to the fact that body language predates language.
However, our non verbals not only impact how others view us but also how we view ourselves. Our non verbals govern how we think and feel about ourselves.
When I went over the video by Amy Cuddy, I recollected the advise my mother gave me before I went to hostel. “If you don’t feel great, ensure that you put in more time in dressing up and wear a brighter colour lipstick.” She intuitively knew that when you feel great, you dress up but also that if you dress up you start feeling great.
That is mind changes body and body the mind.
There is research to show that our body affects our mind which affects our behaviour and which affects meaningful life outcomes.
Social scientist Amy Cuddy research and study has been in the area of non verbal expressions of power dynamics. According to her, non verbal expressions of :
- High power are opening up, occupying space
- Low power are shutting down, becoming smaller
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In the case of power interestingly, we do not mirror the other persons non verbals but complement them. Have a look…
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High power meets low power
The feeling of power affects our physiology, basically 2 hormones, testosterone (the dominance hormone) and cortisol (the stress hormone). The powerful (leaders) have high testosterone and low cortisol.
According to social psychologist Amy Cuddy even tiny interventions such as 2 minutes “power-posing” — standing in a posture of confidence, even when we don’t feel confident — can affect testosterone and cortisol levels in the brain, and therefore impact our chances at success.
Power posing can affect in all situations of social threats such as:
- Job interviews
- Client interactions
- Complex negotiations
How many times have you seen people with great ideas unable to express themselves? Power posing is the answer.
Power posing affects the presence (i.e. enthusiasm, captivation, comfort, authenticity, confidence) of the person and so improves the ability of their message hitting home.
You must watch Amy Cuddy…..
And so next time before a stressful presentation try “Power Posing”
Contributed by: Lovely Kumar, Chief Projects, Larks Learning
For more information about our training, assessment and coaching interventions please get in touch at 91-9899108659 or lovely@larkslearning.com