The Physical Secret to Speaking With Confidence
When we originally published the following blog in 2014, none of us were taking part in as many virtual meetings as we are now. So, while the advice still holds, here are some quick tips to ensure that you’re using your body to exude more confidence in virtual setting.
In a world where we are often on a virtual platform, it’s even more important to use your body and voice effectively. The video below brings up great ways to engage your body when you’re in person and many of those techniques apply to virtual settings. How you show up still matters whether you’re on camera, in person or in a hybrid setting.
Relax your shoulders and sit up straight. I like to put a pillow behind my lower back to ensure that I stay straight. It not only helps me look confident, it helps my back feel better by the end of the day.
Move in a natural way. If you speak with your hands, go ahead and wave them around. If you like to laugh and nod your head, do it! That movement generates energy and brings your authentic self to the encounter.
In between meetings, stretch, run up the stairs, swing your arms, or take a deep breath. By engaging your body at multiple points during the day, you lower stress hormones and increase your body’s engagement. People on video calls will feel it and so will you!
You either have it or you don’t.
Not so fast!
You may think that confidence is a state of mind, but that’s not entirely true.
The way you hold yourself can make you appear to exude confidence or look like a shrinking violet.
Your body is one of the tools at your disposal when you’re speaking or giving a presentation.
You have:
- Your physical appearance.
- Your smile and expressions.
- The tone of your voice.
- Your posture.
- Your gestures.
Science tells us that you can actually “fake it until you make it.”
The way you hold yourself causes your body to release different levels of hormones – good or bad!
In this video, you’ll get some actionable tips on how you can use your body language to appear confident.
Following these pointers will change the way your audiences perceive you and give you the confidence you need to be an effective and engaging presenter.
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Try the techniques in the video and see how much more confident you feel!
This article is 100% written by a human named Karen Hough. She is the Founder & CEO of ImprovEdge, in the top 4% of women-owned businesses in the US, a 3-time Amazon bestselling author, Yale grad, wife and mom of three.