In our previous blogs we spoke about veiling the nerves. Once that is accomplished, we are ready to emulate what a confident person does, even though we may not feel confident from within.
Two “tricks” that we’ve discussed are pausing and moving at a moderate pace. Here is another technique for exhibiting confidence.
In college, I was already an avid student of public speaking, and I made it a point to compare and contrast students’ public speaking performances with those of our professors. This is not to say that professors are necessarily great presenters, but they do tend to look comfortable and confident. When students are asked to speak before the class, even though they might have a great presentation prepared, they usually appear nervous and awkward.
Of course the professors typically spoke at a much slower pace, but I also noticed that they tended to lean a great deal. Later, when I began studying body language, my observation was confirmed by research: confident people will lean (when appropriate) and nervous people will not. Professors would have one hand in the pocket and, on occasion, put the other hand on a table or desk. This is a great telegraph of comfort and confidence if it is NOT a formal presentation. Clearly you would not use this technique giving a eulogy or a presentation to the board of directors.
On a side note, in social situations, for example a house party, studies show that guests who are comfortable and confident will tend to lean as well.
There you have it, the power of the lean, just make sure you don’t fall over!
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