Leadership is Sense: Projection and Presence

The body as a "billboard" for authority

Our body acts as a walking billboard, constantly conveying messages about our authority, confidence and credibility long before we utter a word.

Leadership is not only exercised through directives or decisions; it is felt through the presence we project.

The way we occupy space, move and stand still subconsciously communicates our level of control, confidence and ability to lead.

A leader who appears physically shrunken, hesitant or closed is unlikely to inspire confidence, regardless of the strength of his or her arguments.

Conversely, an open, stable and relaxed physical presence acts as a silent but effective advertisement of our authority and competence.

It is critical to understand that this "body advertising" is always active, influencing how the team perceives and responds to our leadership.

Nonverbal Congruence: Alignment is Credibility

A leader's credibility depends largely on the congruence between his or her verbal message and nonverbal communication.

When words, tone of voice and body language are aligned, the message is perceived as authentic and trustworthy.

This synchronicity reinforces the leader's integrity and makes it easier for others to accept and internalize his or her message.

However, if there is dissonance-for example, expressing support verbally while the body shows tension or disinterest (arms crossed, averting the gaze)-the audience will tend to believe the nonverbal signal, generating confusion, skepticism and an erosion of trust.

Alignment is not simply a communication technique; it is a manifestation of the leader's authenticity and consistency, essential elements for building strong relationships and exerting a positive and lasting influence.

Posture as an architecture of authority

Posture is literally the architecture upon which a leader's perception of authority and presence is built.

An upright posture, with the spine aligned, shoulders relaxed but back and head held high, not only projects confidence and control outwardly, but also influences our internal state, activating neural circuits associated with power and calm under pressure.

This "embodied cognition" means that our physical posture can actively shape how we feel and, therefore, how we lead.

A slouched or closed posture, by contrast, communicates insecurity, disinterest or fatigue, inviting a perception of weakness.

Therefore, consciously adopting a firm, stable and open posture is a fundamental, nonverbal way to establish our authority and readiness to lead effectively.

Summary

The body acts as a "billboard," constantly conveying authority and confidence. Leadership is felt through the presence we project, occupying space with confidence and control.

Credibility depends on the congruence between words, tone and body. If there is dissonance, the audience will believe the non-verbal signal, generating skepticism and eroding trust.

Posture is the architecture of authority. An upright posture projects control and influences our internal state, activating neural circuits associated with power and calm under pressure.