This is how to use power poses to be successful in life

This is how to use power rumliche lages to be successful in lifeThis is how to use power poses to be successful in lifeSuccessful FBI agents understand that its vital to create power poses that will produce results, and theyll do it within the first few seconds of meeting someone.Often, people focus on how to memorize important points and rehearse their presentation so theyll come across as credible. In the process, they forget that their audiences appraisal is only partially determined by what they say. Listeners make a simultaneous evaluation of a speakers competence and trustworthiness based on their gestures and poses.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreThe roots of effective power poses can be found in the study of body language. Thereslittle or no science which supports the claimthat power poses produce higher levels of testosterone, lower levels of cortisol, or higher levels of risk-taking behavior.Its not that we are changed instead, we can use body language to influence the way we are perceived by ur audience. Many of us make snap judgments and base important decisions on small amounts of information.As leaders, business owners and entrepreneurs, you need to find ways to create a favorable impression. Dont give yur power away - instead, use power poses to be successful1. Your face says it allResearch by psychologist Alex Todorovsuggests that when our brain sees a new face, it decides if that rolle is trustworthy within a tenth of a second. The research confirms that we respond to faces so rapidly that our reasoning mind may not have time to influence our reaction.Most of us assume we take a more sophisticated response when we see a new face and filter our opinion through our thinking brain, but this is not the case. Our snap judgments about attraction, competence and trust are among the first that we form. Those opinions may not change over time, eit her, because our first impression sticks with us.Fear is produced in the amygdala, a part of the brain that existed millions of years before the development of our rational, thinking brain. Research indicates that trust might be a case where our high-level rational opinions are influenced by our low-level brain structure.How to make it work for you Despite what you read in literature, micro-expressions are very difficult to read with accuracy. Were trained from childhood to control our expressions and get that look off your face. As a result, we get really good at it. The easiest and fruchtwein effective power pose is your smile. When you smile, you tell others that youre genuine, trustworthy, and competent. As simple as that sounds, it does need to be the right smileDump the botox and live with creases around the eyes- those lines are essential if you want to give a real smile and signal to others that you are genuinely happy about seeing them.You give away power with tight-lipped smiles that dont reveal teeth. They send the message that youre hiding something. Its a common way for women to signal rejection.The drop-jaw smile, where the lower jaw is dropped down, also sends the wrong message. It feigns enjoyment and only gives the impression of a smile.2. Gesture with hands and armsTheScience Of Peopleanalyzed TED talks that were popular and found that viral speakers used an average of 465 hand gestures in their twenty-minute talk. People who use hands and arms as power poses are viewed as warm, agreeable and energetic.Power poses are critical to your success because when get them right, you connect with your audience. To use hand and arm gestures, you need to know how youll be perceived.How to make it work for you The easiest and most basic hand gesture is numerical where you use a finger to count off a number.Close the space between forefinger and thumb to show a small thing.Open the space between forefinger and thumb to demonstrate a specific part of an id ea. When you turn your hand, this gesture separates or pulls out the idea you want to emphasize.When you plant fingers that are spread apart on a hard surface, such as the desk or table in front of you, its an unmistakable display of confidence and authority.Extend both arms in front from the elbow, palms up. Raise one hand to slap down on the other. It draws attention and lets people know this is important.Arms spread over chairs or over the shoulder of a person communicates confidence.Hands placed on your waist, elbows out, and thumbs to the back signals authority and issues that need to be addressed. When you place your thumbs forward, it changes the power pose so now it signals you have questions and it lessens tensions.3. Watch the feet and legsAccording to Joe Navarro, the feet are very honest. In his book Louder Than Words, he reminds us that our feet and legs have ensured our survival since the caveman days. Body parts that are further away from our brain often do things of which were not aware. We are almost oblivious to our legs and feet. That means legs and feet are an important source of information about a persons attitude.How to make it work for you There are many ways you can use your feet and legs as power poses. Glass tables are an effective way for you to monitor the reaction of others in the room because legs and feet are in full view.Keep legs apart for an effective power pose as it signals, Im in charge here. Think of gunslingers and law enforcement officers. Men can get away with a wider stance, but a narrower stance works best for women.Crossed legs when you stand is a power pose that implies comfort and relaxation. Its impossible to fight or flee in this position, so the limbic brain system is not under duress.Feet that jiggle are usually happy feet, unless the jiggle starts in the middle of a conversation. In that case, it may signal discomfort, so watch for when the jiggle starts.Pay attention if the jiggle becomes a kick. This indica tes a very negative reaction to whatever has happened or has been said.Repetitive flexes of the foot sideways at the ankle signals stress, irritability or impatience.Notice if a client or colleague has shifted their stance so that one or both feet point away from you. It means I want to leave.4. Secrets of the head and neckYou send the wrong message if you touch or stroke your neck because its a pacifying behavior to calm you down.We only touch our neck area when something disturbs, threatens or confuses. Many people stroke the side of their neck with their forefinger or pull the skin under their chin.How to make it work for you A head tilt communicates that youre friendly and willing to listen. Its difficult to tilt your head when youre anxious or fearful.Chin up is a good power pose because it implies youre confident. Avoid a tucked chin because it denotes the opposite - you lack confidence.5. Posture as a power poseWe pick up posture habits without thinking about them. Often we walk into a meeting with slumped shoulders and head tucked in. It tells everyone that were stressed and suffer from tech-neck after too much time in front of a computer. This is a low-power pose and one that doesnt instill confidence or trust.Research from the Kellogg School of Managementsuggests that when we open up our body and take up space, it signals a sense of power in ourselves and in the eyes of our audience.How to make it work for you Torso movements are great power poses because they are governed by our limbic brain system and are indicative of our comfort level.Turn your torso toward a person to signal vulnerability and trust. Notice when you turn your torso away from a person so youre in a bladed stance. There is something you dont like about them.Lean forward rather than stand stiff and upright. It helps engage people because it sends the message that youre interested. It helps to get your message heard.You exude a power pose when you stand up from the table when you sp eak at a meeting. It helps to command the attention of other participants.The power poses listed above are simple and effective. If were intentional about our body language, we an create a favorable and lasting impression on the road to our success.This article originally appeared on SmartBrief.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people