I just watched this short 21 minutes presentation video where Amy Cuddy presented at TED Talks. In my opinion, the power posing really works.
Fake it Till You Become It
Summary of Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are Presentation
Amy Cuddy’s TED Talk explores how adopting “power poses”—open and confident body stances—can boost your sense of confidence and assertiveness, potentially increasing your willingness to take risks and lowering your stress levels. Even brief moments spent in these poses may trigger hormonal shifts that enhance your sense of power, influencing your actions and self-image, especially in high-pressure situations such as job interviews. Her main takeaway is “fake it until you become it,” meaning that consistently practicing confident body language can help you internalize and embody those traits over time.
Key Points from the Talk:
- Power Posing:
Adopting expansive, dominant postures for just a few minutes can help you feel more powerful and self-assured, even if you don’t start out that way. - Body-Mind Connection:
The way we hold our bodies can shape our emotions and thoughts, highlighting a two-way connection between posture and mindset. - Hormonal Effects:
According to Cuddy’s research, power posing can increase testosterone (associated with confidence and assertiveness) and decrease cortisol (a hormone related to stress). - Behavioral Impact:
These mental and hormonal changes can translate into more assertive, risk-taking behavior, particularly during evaluations or stressful situations. - Fake It Till You Become It:
By regularly using power poses, individuals can gradually internalize feelings of confidence, ultimately transforming their self-perception. - Personal Empowerment:
The core lesson emphasizes self-empowerment, showing that small adjustments in posture can lead to meaningful changes in both personal and professional life.
Presence : Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges
You can also get her book Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges if you interested to learn more on how to believing and trusting yourself.
Core Concepts & Takeaways of the Book
- Own Your Power Through Body Language
Presence emerges when you feel personally powerful. You can cultivate that feeling through your body—adopting expansive, “high-power” postures (power posing) helps you genuinely feel more confident. - Self‑Affirmation for Stress Resilience
Clarifying and writing about your core values creates confidence and shields against stress. Studies show that this simple exercise can significantly elevate courage and resilience. - Reframe Anxiety as Excitement
Rather than attempting to quiet high-arousal emotions like anxiety, Cuddy encourages reframing them as excitement—turning nervous energy into a performance advantage. - Small Adjustments, Big Presence
Even subtle shifts in posture or mindset can dramatically influence how present and effective you feel. These “tiny tweaks” can become habits that reinforce self-confidence and authenticity over time.
If you are also interested in personal growth, Re-awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins is a great read.