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Objectives & Power Poses
Learning Objectives
Understand Power Dynamics
Recognize how body language affects perception
Master Power Posing
Learn high-power poses that boost confidence
Apply "Fake It Till You Become It"
Implement techniques to internalize confidence
Power Poses in Nature
High-Power Poses
Expansive, open postures:
- Arms raised in V shape
- Standing tall, chest open
- Taking up space
- Hands on hips ("Wonder Woman")
Low-Power Poses
Closed, contracted postures:
- Arms crossed
- Hunched shoulders
- Making yourself small
- Touching neck/protecting torso
Question 1: What's your default posture in stressful situations?
Question 2: When do you feel most confident in your body language?
Question 3: Which power pose would you like to try?
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Video & Key Concepts
Key Concepts
Nonverbals govern how others judge us (05:00)
Power posing changes hormone levels (12:30)
Fake it till you become it (17:45)
Tiny tweaks → big changes (21:00)
Body Language Notes
- High-power: open, expansive postures
- Low-power: closed, contracted postures
- 2 minutes of power posing increases testosterone by 20%
- Power posing decreases cortisol by 25%
- Body language affects how we feel about ourselves
Hormone Changes from Power Posing
Just 2 minutes of power posing creates significant hormonal changes
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Body Language Vocabulary
Essential terms for nonverbal communication mastery (9 words)
Nonverbals
/nɒnˈvɜːrbəlz/
Communication without words
Example: Nonverbals include posture, gestures, and facial expressions.
Power Posing
/ˈpaʊər ˌpoʊzɪŋ/
Adopting expansive, confident postures
Example: Standing in the "Wonder Woman" pose is power posing.
Testosterone
/tɛsˈtɒstəroʊn/
Dominance hormone that increases confidence
Example: Power posing boosts testosterone levels by 20%.
Cortisol
/ˈkɔːrtɪsɒl/
Stress hormone that decreases with confidence
Example: Lower cortisol reduces feelings of stress and anxiety.
Impostor Syndrome
/ɪmˈpɒstər ˌsɪndroʊm/
Feeling like a fraud despite success
Example: Many successful people experience impostor syndrome.
Expand
/ɪkˈspænd/
To open up and take up space
Example: Powerful people expand their physical presence.
Complement
/ˈkɒmplɪment/
To mirror or match others' behavior
Example: We often complement powerful people by making ourselves smaller.
Internalize
/ɪnˈtɜːrnəlaɪz/
To make beliefs part of your identity
Example: With practice, you can internalize confident body language.
Posture
/ˈpɒs.tʃər/
The way you position your body when standing or sitting
Example: Good posture makes you appear more confident and professional.
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Grammar & Phrases
Body Language Coaching
Using Modal Verbs for Body Language Advice
"You should / You could / You can / You might + [action]"
Use modal verbs to offer advice, suggestions, or discuss possibilities and abilities for body language improvement.
You should maintain eye contact during your presentation.
You should maintain eye contact with your audience to appear more confident and trustworthy.
You could try standing with your shoulders back.
You could try standing with your shoulders back and chest open to project confidence.
You can use open hand gestures to appear more confident.
You can use open hand gestures instead of pointing to appear more approachable.
You might feel more relaxed if you take deep breaths.
You might feel more relaxed if you take deep breaths before entering the room.
You should avoid crossing your arms.
You should avoid crossing your arms as it creates a barrier between you and your audience.
You could practice your power pose before the meeting.
You could practice your power pose for two minutes before the important meeting.
Conditional Body Language Advice
Using "When" and "If" with Modals
"When/If you + [action], you should/could/can/might + [result]"
Use these patterns to give practical, situation-based speaking advice for body language.
When you enter the room, you should stand tall to show confidence.
When you enter the room, you should stand tall with your shoulders back to make a strong first impression.
If you feel nervous, you could take a deep breath and smile.
If you feel nervous before speaking, you could take a deep breath and smile to calm yourself.
When you answer a question, you can use hand gestures to emphasize your point.
When you answer a question, you can use purposeful hand gestures to make your response more engaging.
If you make eye contact, you might connect better with your audience.
If you make consistent eye contact, you might notice your audience becomes more engaged.
When you sit down, you should keep an open posture.
When you sit down for the interview, you should keep an open posture with uncrossed arms.
If you practice power posing, you might feel more confident.
If you practice power posing regularly, you might notice increased confidence in challenging situations.
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Speaking Practice
Practice Activities
Power Pose Challenge
Your Challenge
Practice Amy Cuddy's power posing technique. Choose a high-power pose and hold it for 2 minutes, then record yourself describing how it made you feel.
High-power poses to try:
Wonder Woman: Hands on hips, feet apart, chest open
Victory V: Arms raised up in V shape
CEO: Leaning back in chair, hands behind head
Hold the pose for 2 minutes, then describe your experience
Body Language Coaching
Your Challenge
Use the modal verb patterns to give body language advice. Create coaching instructions using should, could, can, might with when/if situations.
Practice coaching phrases:
"When you present, you should..."
"If you feel nervous, you could..."
"You can use gestures to..."
"You might notice that..."
Give practical body language coaching using modal verbs
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Knowledge Quiz
Body Language Quiz
Question 1 of 7
What is the minimum time needed for power posing to affect hormone levels?