Body Language Secrets Revealed; How To Look & Feel More Powerful

Hold The Superhero Pose

Most individuals have probably seen the superhero pose in countless movies and television shows. The superhero stands with their legs spread apart to shoulder length or more, their hands on their hips, and their elbows bent. This is a body position that looks powerful. Psychologists refer to this kind of position as open posture. With an open posture, the limbs are spread out so they take up more room in the world. The superhero pose is a position that says, "I am powerful and deserve to take up as much space as I want to." By contrast, a closed posture involves folding the limbs in to make the body take up as little space as possible. With closed posture, individuals are perceived as having little to no power. Studies have shown if individuals stand in the superhero pose for even just five minutes prior to a difficult task or event, such as a job interview, they will not only feel noticeably more confident, but will also statistically, perform quite a bit better as a result.

Remove Barriers To Encourage A Team

When working in a team, individuals will come up against both literal and metaphorical barriers. One literal barrier would be a desk or other piece of furniture dividing them from the rest of the group. It removes the individual from the teamwork process and sets them apart, making team members feel like they need to defer to their leadership rather than collaborate. Metaphorical barriers are any issues that get in the way of successful collaboration and productive work. If someone is communicating poorly, it can cause a toxic atmosphere. Individuals should foster open communication and practice active listening to make sure team members are heard. It's also important to establish clear goals and delegate clear tasks. Individuals should approach the project as something being created together, rather than something they're handling themselves.