Even in the modern highly-integrated, and progressive world, many still overlook the importance of body language as a core non-verbal communication signal. It is instrumental for helping understand and decode what another person is saying and what are the intentions behind their words. However, the role of posture, gestures, facial expressions, and overall attitude should not be underestimated. In her TEDGlobal speech “Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are,” Amy Cuddy explored the ways in which body language affects others’ perceptions of people and how it can also change the way people see and perceive themselves (TED). In her argument, the speaker underlines the importance of “power posing” as a strategy of intentionally shifting one’s body into the power pose in order to feel confident, even in cases when one does not feel as such (TED). Thus, standing in a strong and straight posture can enhance the feeling of confidence, which can increase one’s chances of success.
In her “fake it till you make it” approach to body language, Cuddy provides recommendations as to how a person can feel more confident and project this confidence onto everything they do. According to her, when a person feels powerless, they tend to make their body appear smaller; they close up and want to wrap themselves up. However, minor tweaks in attitude and body language can significantly improve one’s mood and instill a sense of confidence in everything a person does or says. An essential piece of advice is given for stressful situations; Cuddy suggests that it is necessary to give oneself a couple of minutes to evaluate the case and apply body language modifications (TED). This is necessary to do in every small situation, in any environment, in order to configure one’s brain to cope the best in every stressful scenario. Besides, the speaker suggests that in order to be confident, a person should learn never to leave every stressful situation feeling that they did not show who they really are. Thus, it is imperative to pay more attention to one’s body language and ensure that it shows the inner confidence and strength that a person is trying to transfer to others.
The relevance of body language in terms of communication is something that scholars and researchers from different fields have studied. For example, FBI agents have studied body language for the purpose of profiling and developing a psychological portrait of a potential perpetrator (WIRED). Non-verbal signs that include the way a person walks, dresses, and talks all have meaning and allow interpreting what is in the mind of a person (WIRED). In a WIRED video, former FBI agent and body language specialist Joe Navarro states that humans as a species select their mates and close friends based on non-verbal signs and cues (WIRED). This fact shows that it is important for people to mind their body language if they want to feel and appear more confident, as Cuddy suggested. Importantly, it is likely that people who have similar body language will find comfort and value in their interactions and communication with one another (Wood 87). Therefore, practical evidence suggests that body language is a crucial part of everyday interactions between people, and it can allow instilling ideas of confidence by following the patterns inherent to strong and powerful people.
Works Cited
TED. “Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are. Amy Cuddy.” 2012, TED, Web.
WIRED. “Former FBI Agent Explains How to Read Body Language | Tradecraft | WIRED.” 2018, YouTube, Web.
Wood, Julia. Interpersonal Communication: Everyday Encounters, 9th ed. Cengage, 2020.