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

Shake Hands With A Firm Grip

If an individual wants to project confidence, they should shake hands with a firm grip. Individuals with weak handshakes may be perceived as weak or not confident in themselves. Whether consciously or subconsciously, potential employers and colleagues may get a first impression they aren't a strong person. That said, individuals also shouldn't use an overly strong grip. If someone's grip is strong enough to hurt, it can come off as a sign of insecurity or extreme aggression. They can give the impression they're trying too hard because they don't truly believe in themselves or they simply want to dominate the other person. With an ideal handshake, an individual will keep their posture straight, make eye contact with the other person, hold their hand out and shake for about two seconds with purpose, and smile. They should offer a greeting and repeat the person's name back to them as well.

Use Hands When Talking

Certain hand gestures can be used to project confidence to an individual's audience. There are body signals we unconsciously engage in when nervous like hand-wringing, fiddling, and crossing the arms. But standing perfectly still and motionless can make someone seem like a robot. Rather than use their hands for nervous tics, individuals should practice incorporating them into their speech. One way is for individuals to use their hands to illustrate connections between concepts and help the audience get a mental picture of what they are trying to convey. By paying attention to the direction in which they move their hands, individuals can create emphasis. For example, an individual might illustrate a high number or overwhelming workload by gesturing to the ceiling. It is essential, however, to use moderation with hand gestures, as doing so can seem erratic and actually reduce the effectiveness of the message and thus, confidence levels. Each gesture should serve a purpose!