The Power of Presence

Lessons from research by Amy Cuddy

Heidi Alexandra PollardCEO, UQ Power

Executive & Leadership Presence

We all know executive presence when we see it. It’s that feeling you get when someone walks in poised and polished, with the presence of a leader. There’s a certain je ne sais quoi about how they carry themself, which of course, seems effortless.

We all want it, but how do we get it?

Basically executive presence is comprised of three things:1.Communication: how you talk 2.Gravitas: how you act 3.Perceived identity: how you look

Communication

In recent weeks, there’s been a burst of media attention about women’s words, in particular the “sorrys,” “justs” and other undermining phrases that often show up in what women write and say. It’s a case of foot in mouth daily.

If you’re used to using self-deprecating speech to come across as more likable, why not try an alternative approach: conveying likability in positive, not self-undermining ways – such as making personal connections, expressing appreciation for others – and showing a strong interest in their points of view.

Gravitas – Confidence Under Pressure

Many of our clients are great leaders, but when presenting in meetings with more senior or powerful people they freeze with anxiety. Their executive presence crashes and burns.

We work with them to then proactively implement a plan before they experience visible signs of stress. A way to cope with the emotions as they came up in a way that doesn’t put them at a professional disadvantage.

Perceived Identity

Other clients we’ve worked with have impressive credentials, and experience but when they present at conferences, they’re not seen as an expert.

Why? Because they don’t look like one. Often it is that they need to review their look. It may be they need to look more polished, upbeat or sophisticated.

As research from Harvard Medical School proves, “People assess your competence and trustworthiness in a quarter of a second based solely on how you look.”

It’s not fair, but if you want to move forward in your career, you want to look the part so your ideas are the focal point, not your wardrobe. Sometimes you need to dress for the job you want.

Despite all the change in business and the world the one constant remains the same – the ability to influence, engage, inspire, relate and build rapport. Ie:

The ability to communicate

The One Constant in Leadership

IN PARTICULAR

Non-verbal communication

WITH YOURSELF AND OTHERS

- 7% of meaning is in the words that are spoken

-38% of meaning is paralinguistic – the way we say it

-55% of meaning is in body language & expression

WHY YOU MUST BECOME FLUENT IN A SECOND LANGUAGE

Lessons from Amy Cuddy

Last week UQ Power had the pleasure of sponsoring a Business Chicks Workshop with Harvard researcher Amy Cuddy on the Power of Presence.

AMY’S LESSONSTO POWER UP YOUR LEADERSHIPPRESENCE AND STEP INTO YOUR

Unique Power

“That was the worst elevator pitch I have ever heard,” Amy was told by a scholar she wanted to impress, as the elevator doors closed.“It was my biggest professional challenge and I fell on my face,” Cuddy said.

Lesson 1 – Fear is a blocker

She was paralysed with fear even before the moment arrived and that fear meant she couldn’t be present in the moment when she needed to be.

She couldn’t nail the pitch because of it.

“I still haven’t made peace with the whole elevator pitch idea because I don’t think you can communicate the essence of who you are in a few words.”

But that exchange taught her an invaluable lesson: when you approach a situation with dread and anxiety you will undermine your own performance.

Lesson 1 – Fear is a blocker

As a leader what’s the biggest fear or communication challenge you face or thing you would rather hide from?

What’s your biggest challenge?

The reality is we hate losing and we hate being judged.

Amy reminded us “You have to make peace with the fact you’re human.”

Why it’s difficult

The best thing you can do to overcome any challenges is to start with U and to access and express your authentic self. This will allow you to be more confident even when you don’t know what the outcome will be.

Lesson 2 – StartwithU

Of course you can’t confuse arrogance with confidence.

“Arrogance and confidence get conflated but they are not the same things. Arrogance is a wall we put up when we feel threatened.”

“Arrogance is a smoke screen for insecurity. Arrogance is not appealing. It does not serve you.”

Confidence not arrogance

Being confident means being comfortable in yourself and that you don’t put up a smokescreen and you can be open to criticism. It’s when your words and body language match.

“Confidence is not a weapon, it’s a tool.

When you are confident you can be present without arrogance.”

Confidence not arrogance

You have believe in yourself and your message. If you don’t believe, no one else will, every one can spot a phoney!

“We convince by our words. You can script the words, but not the body language – look out for leaks and asynchronicities.”

Lesson 3– Believe in U

Understanding your body language and other physical queues is very important when you are communicating with others. Your non-verbal communication skills are just as important as your verbal skills.

The most important thing to ensure is congruence – that your messages match your body.

When they do you can blast off!

“Power reveals who we are.Power can serve others too.”

Belief Translates to Power

• Why would you share your authentic self with someone who isn’t being authentic? Cuddy says most of us won’t and the same goes for a person who isn’t present.

• “In leadership roles, your people need you to be present. Even when you have a million other things to do, by being present with them you are inviting them to thrive.”

• Research shows when people feel powerful and present:

– they feel more optimistic– have a greater sense of self efficacy– see challenges as opportunities– think more clearly– are more creative.

Lesson 4 – Presence is Contagious

• Making yourself bigger will make you feel more powerful

• When Amy Cuddy was in the lift as a grad student attempting her elevator pitch, her body reacted as if it were being chased by a tiger.

• “But I wasn’t being chased by a tiger. Often the challenges we face are not the same as being chased by a predator but our body reacts that way.”

• It is a primitive instinct. When primates have power they make themselves look bigger. They physically expand their body to show power.

Lesson 5 – Big is Better

Humans do too. After a sporting victory, athletes from a variety sports, events and cultures spontaneously adopt the same stance. They throw their arms above their heads in a V and open their mouths wide. The pose represents pride, power and confidence and it’s universal.

“Research has shown that even congenitally blind people adopt the same pose after a victory – it is as hard wired as smiling is to happiness,” Cuddy says. “We do the opposite when we feel powerless: we collapse and making ourselves small. We cover our faces – not to avoid seeing but to protect ourselves.”

V is for Victory

Before a challenge, like a job interview, important meeting or performance, make yourself big. Adopt powerful positions. Sit up straight, stand up tall and expand your size. Trick your mind into following your body.

“Acting the way you want to be perceived works.”

Doing this to prepare for a challenge has been shown by research to create the following changes:

– people can lift more weights at the gym– older people are more willing to try new technology without feeling threatened– improved the likelihood of an individual to be hired– lessened symptoms of depression

Lesson 6 – Fake It Until You Become It

Stand tall.

Don’t be afraid to take up space.

Expand yourself.

Stretch widely.

And most importantly, teach this to you daughters.

Go out and Power Pose

It’s not just about the poses

“I regret calling my Ted talk “power poses” because it’s not just the poses. It’s about expansiveness – it’s about carrying yourself in a more open way.”

Our feelings mimic our posture and tiny tweaks make big changes.

Stand tall. Don’t be afraid to take up space. Expand yourself. Stretch widely.

And most importantly, teach this to you daughters.

They absorb from a young age and from 4 years old girls are already wired to view boys and men as more powerful than they are.

Tags amy cuddy career advice confidence leadership advice power stereotypes

Georgina Dent

Georgina Dent

Georgina is a journalist, an editor, and a passionate advocate for gender equality. The former lawyer is a regular media commentator, public speaker, MC and is the contributing editor of Women's Agenda.

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