Body Language Does More Than You Think

In the business setting, as in any setting, body language says more than you would think.  As this TED Talk demonstrates, not only does body language reflect what is going on inside as far as how someone feels, but body language can actually be used to change how a person feels. The TED Talk says that assuming powerful body language positions before an interview can help someone get in the right mindset and give them the confidence they need to succeed.  Such power poses involve sitting in a chair with your hands behind your head and leaning back in your chair, or leaning over with both hands on the table.  Power posing makes you less stressed and also increases testosterone, putting you in the perfect state to nail your interview or do well on your presentation.  On the other hand, poses that often signify weakness, such as putting your hand behind your neck or efforts to try to make yourself look small, are shown to increase stress levels and decrease confidence. Unfortunately, most times we are placed in a waiting room before our interview, where we often sit hunched over our phones or uncomfortably in the couch, which make us less relaxed and hurt our confidence in the interview. A quick trip to the bathroom can be made to try power posing for a few minutes, anticipating the bathroom will provide you no spectators, to help you ensure that you feel ready to interview.