Gestures and postures: what your body says about you

The Body as a Transmitter of Confidence and Attitude

The way you stand, sit and move, i.e. your posture, plays a crucial role in how others perceive you.

A confident, open posture-with a straight back, relaxed shoulders and head held high-makes you appear more persuasive, credible and authoritative.

Imagine a leader in a meeting; if he stands with confidence, his message is perceived as more trustworthy.

Similarly, in a job interview, sitting upright projects competence and self-assurance.

Conversely, a closed, insecure posture, such as slouching, crossing your arms or slumping in your chair, makes you appear defensive, disinterested or unapproachable.

To project confidence, keep your head up, shoulders relaxed and direct your body slightly toward the person you are talking to.

The Language of the Hands: How Gestures Reinforce the Message

Gestures, especially hand and arm movements, are incredibly powerful tools for reinforcing what we say with words.

They are much more difficult to control than facial expressions, as they often arise from our unconscious, revealing our true emotional state.

Natural, fluid and controlled gestures can emphasize important points and keep the audience engaged. For example, slightly opening the palms when speaking can signal openness and sincerity.

The most captivating speakers, such as those at TED Talks, use their hands naturally to make their messages more compelling.

However, it is vital to avoid excessive or inappropriate gestures, as they can be distracting or make you appear insincere.

Keeping your hands in your pockets, for example, can be interpreted as disinterest or nervousness.

Consistency in Staging: Standing and Sitting Posture

Whether you are standing or sitting, the general rule is to maintain a relaxed, natural and unforced posture.

If you are standing, avoid standing still like a statue; move around the stage naturally to convey energy and control.

Control nervous tics, such as swinging a leg, that give away your tension. Never turn your back to the audience, even to write on a whiteboard.

If you are seated, sit comfortably, without leaning back or sinking into your chair, and keep your arms on the table so that your hands are always visible.

In both positions, it is crucial to avoid crossed arms and legs, as these are gestures that communicate defensiveness and create a barrier with the audience.

Cultural Meaning and Gesture Typology

It is important to remember that the meaning of gestures is not universal; a positive gesture in one culture may be offensive in another.

For example, the "OK" sign is an insult in some countries. Beyond cultural differences, gestures can be classified.

There are emblematic gestures, with direct verbal translation such as the thumbs-up, and illustrative gestures, which accompany language.

We also find expressive gestures, which show emotions; regulatory gestures, which control the conversation; and adaptive gestures, which we use to manage emotions that we cannot express openly.

Recognizing these types of gestures, both in ourselves and in others, gives us an additional layer of understanding in any interaction.

Summary

The way you stand, sit and move, i.e., your posture, plays a crucial role in how others perceive you. A confident, open posture makes you appear more persuasive and credible.

Gestures, especially hand and arm movements, are very powerful tools for reinforcing what we say with words. They often arise from our unconscious, revealing our true emotional state.

It is important to remember that the meaning of gestures is not universal; a positive gesture in one culture may be offensive in another. For example, the "OK" sign is an insult in some countries.