As Joe points out, Cuddy's research may be overstated (no more than Dweck's Growth Mindset, Duckworth's Grit, and countless others you'll find in your local bookstore's business and leadership section). Still, I always fall back to the power of a placebo (or, in this case, maybe even a nocebo). Will striking a power pose help you nail an entirely unprepared presentation? Most likely not. However, can it help calm you down/give you a boost of confidence if jitters start to creep up? I think it can. Years ago, I read Charles Darwin's The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals - TLDR - Smile and the muscles in your face cause your body to produce different emotions (i.e., chemical signals) than if you were to scowl, and that these emotions are universal. My go-to? I strike a Most Muscular Pose made famous by Arnold Schwarzenegger when I feel I need an extra boost of confidence :)
I recently was rewatching Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are by Amy Cuddy. It's interesting to say the least. She talks about these power poses (Cuddy. 2012). Professor Cuddy has faced some backlash regarding her research and claims. Some even arguing the legitimacy.
In 12 RULES FOR LIFE, Professor Jordan B. Peterson makes one of his rules: standing up straight with your shoulders back (Peterson. 2018). This we were taught to do growing up (to me this one makes sense). For some odd reason, there are many professors who do not agree with Professor Peterson's teaching. Yet, none I have spoken with, can give me any valid reasons...
In EMT training our instructor (he was also a paramedic) taught us how to breath better after a run lol.
Regardless of who is teaching this, I prefer the Jewish statement: "There's nothing new under the sun".
Another thing, I am going to point out. Experienced men and women can see right through your facade. That old bs your way through no longer works (if it ever really did). We, millennials, seem to be a hit or miss. The Gen Z though, they are stellar at emotional intelligence (EQ/EI). It's almost as if the organization studies discipline comes naturally to them. What's interesting, with the ones I have interviewed and worked with, is they just want us to come as we are. If we're a bad manager, then get better. If we're a bad team member, then improve OR find a place in the organization where our talents may be properly utilized..
To them power posing can come off as belittling, disrespectful, arrogant, or at the very least fake.
Regardless of what's been proved or disproved (re comments on Amy Cuddy etc. below), power poses can make you feel positive, break a pattern of physical slumping or stressful thoughts, and get you in the zone.
Who knows whether it's the physical stance, the thoughts that I think when I do a power pose or the placebo effect, power poses make me feel better.
Confidence isn’t a gift, but it’s a skill you refine. The impact of striking a power pose is profound. Confidence isn’t just felt—it’s rehearsed, nurtured, and practiced. These few moments alone can ripple into a day filled with courage and determination. When you claim your space, even in solitude, you step closer to the version of yourself who’s ready to excel.
As Joe points out, Cuddy's research may be overstated (no more than Dweck's Growth Mindset, Duckworth's Grit, and countless others you'll find in your local bookstore's business and leadership section). Still, I always fall back to the power of a placebo (or, in this case, maybe even a nocebo). Will striking a power pose help you nail an entirely unprepared presentation? Most likely not. However, can it help calm you down/give you a boost of confidence if jitters start to creep up? I think it can. Years ago, I read Charles Darwin's The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals - TLDR - Smile and the muscles in your face cause your body to produce different emotions (i.e., chemical signals) than if you were to scowl, and that these emotions are universal. My go-to? I strike a Most Muscular Pose made famous by Arnold Schwarzenegger when I feel I need an extra boost of confidence :)
Good morning,
I recently was rewatching Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are by Amy Cuddy. It's interesting to say the least. She talks about these power poses (Cuddy. 2012). Professor Cuddy has faced some backlash regarding her research and claims. Some even arguing the legitimacy.
In 12 RULES FOR LIFE, Professor Jordan B. Peterson makes one of his rules: standing up straight with your shoulders back (Peterson. 2018). This we were taught to do growing up (to me this one makes sense). For some odd reason, there are many professors who do not agree with Professor Peterson's teaching. Yet, none I have spoken with, can give me any valid reasons...
In EMT training our instructor (he was also a paramedic) taught us how to breath better after a run lol.
Regardless of who is teaching this, I prefer the Jewish statement: "There's nothing new under the sun".
Another thing, I am going to point out. Experienced men and women can see right through your facade. That old bs your way through no longer works (if it ever really did). We, millennials, seem to be a hit or miss. The Gen Z though, they are stellar at emotional intelligence (EQ/EI). It's almost as if the organization studies discipline comes naturally to them. What's interesting, with the ones I have interviewed and worked with, is they just want us to come as we are. If we're a bad manager, then get better. If we're a bad team member, then improve OR find a place in the organization where our talents may be properly utilized..
To them power posing can come off as belittling, disrespectful, arrogant, or at the very least fake.
Thank you for your time.
Regardless of what's been proved or disproved (re comments on Amy Cuddy etc. below), power poses can make you feel positive, break a pattern of physical slumping or stressful thoughts, and get you in the zone.
Who knows whether it's the physical stance, the thoughts that I think when I do a power pose or the placebo effect, power poses make me feel better.
Confidence isn’t a gift, but it’s a skill you refine. The impact of striking a power pose is profound. Confidence isn’t just felt—it’s rehearsed, nurtured, and practiced. These few moments alone can ripple into a day filled with courage and determination. When you claim your space, even in solitude, you step closer to the version of yourself who’s ready to excel.