The Power of Body Language: How to Communicate Effectively without Word

Body language is a form of nonverbal communication that can influence how others perceive and respond to us. According to psychologist Albert Mehrabian, body language accounts for 55% of total communication, while words only account for 7% (Mehrabian, 1971).

The Science Behind Body Language

Social psychologist Amy Cuddy, in her TED Talk "Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are" (Cuddy, 2012), discusses the importance of body language in our perception and behavior. According to Cuddy, when we feel insecure or stressed, we tend to make ourselves smaller, while when we feel powerful and confident, we tend to make ourselves bigger.

The Animal Kingdom Analogy

Cuddy draws an analogy with the animal kingdom, where animals tend to make themselves larger to appear more imposing to their predators or competitors. Similarly, when we adopt power poses, we can influence our perception and behavior.

The Hormones of Dominance and Stress



Cuddy's research found that alpha males in animal groups had high levels of testosterone (the dominance hormone) and low levels of cortisol (the stress hormone). However, when a new alpha assumes power, their testosterone levels rise and cortisol levels drop rapidly, suggesting that the body can adjust and that role changes can affect our thinking.

The Power Pose Experiment



In an experiment, Cuddy and her team asked participants to adopt power poses or low-power poses for one minute. The results showed that participants who adopted power poses tended to make riskier bets and had higher levels of testosterone (20% higher than participants who adopted low-power poses).

Examples of Power Poses

  • The Wonder Woman pose: feet shoulder-width apart, hands on hips, and head held high.
  • The boss pose: sitting with feet on the desk and hands behind the head.
  • The confidence pose: standing with feet shoulder-width apart and hands on hips.

Fake it until you make it


Cuddy suggests that when we're feeling insecure, we should pretend to be powerful until we naturally act and are perceived as powerful and confident. This idea is summarized in the iconic phrase "fake it until you make it," which she adapts to "fake it until you become it."

The Importance of Synchrony between Verbal and Nonverbal Language

It's essential that our verbal and nonverbal language are in sync. If our verbal and nonverbal messages don't match, we can generate distrust in others unconsciously. For example, if we deliver good news but our face doesn't show happiness, it can imply that something is wrong.

Types of Body Language

  • Posture: Posture can convey confidence, security, and authority. An upright and open posture can make you feel more secure and confident (Cuddy, 2015).
  • Eye contact: Eye contact is crucial for establishing a connection with others. A study found that people who maintain eye contact during a conversation are perceived as more credible and trustworthy (Kleinke, 1986).
  • Gestures: Gestures can emphasize what we're saying and add emphasis to our communication. However, some gestures can be perceived as negative, such as crossing our arms or legs (Hall, 1984).
  • Facial expressions: Facial expressions can reveal our emotions and feelings. A smile can make you feel more approachable and friendly (Ekman, 2003).

Tips for Improving Your Body Language

  • Practice body awareness: Pay attention to your posture, gestures, and facial expressions in different situations.
  • Maintain eye contact: Establish eye contact with others during conversations to show interest and attention.
  • Use positive gestures: Use gestures that emphasize what you're saying and avoid negative gestures.
  • Smile: A smile can make you feel more approachable and friendly.
Remember that adopting power poses can influence your perception and behavior, and can help you feel more secure and confident.

Resources:


  • "Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are" by Amy Cuddy (TED)

References:

  • Mehrabian, A. (1971). Silent messages. Wadsworth.
  • Cuddy, A. (2015). Presence: Bringing your boldest self to your biggest challenges. Little, Brown and Company.
  • Cuddy, A. (2012). Your body language shapes who you are. TED Talks.
  • Kleinke, C. L. (1986). Gaze and eye contact: A research review. Psychological Bulletin, 100(1), 78-100.
  • Hall, E. T. (1984). The dance of life: The other dimension of time. Anchor Books.
  • Ekman, P. (2003). Emotions revealed: Recognizing faces and feelings to improve communication and emotional life. Times Books.
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