Your body language may shape who you are
Amy Cuddy - TED
Amy Cuddy discusses how nonverbal signals shape how others judge us, and how our posture may influence how we feel about ourselves. Some of the research findings have since been debated.
Key takeaways
- Nonverbal signals strongly shape first impressions.
- How we hold ourselves can affect how confident we feel.
- Treat single studies with care - parts of this research have been contested.
Reflect on it
- What might my body language say in meetings without me realising?
- How do I come across to people in the first few minutes?
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Amy Cuddy's talk on body language and confidence is one of the most-viewed TED talks ever. Some of the original findings on hormones have since been debated by researchers, but the core message about presence remains widely discussed.
Why it is worth 21 minutes
It is a useful starting point for thinking about interviews, presentations and first impressions.
The key points
- Nonverbal signals shape how others judge us, often in seconds.
- How we hold ourselves may also affect how we feel.
- Preparation and presence matter before high-stakes moments.
- Fake it until you become it - practise until confidence feels real.
Where to go next
For the theory behind nonverbal communication, read our guide to decoding the different communication styles.
Turn it into CPD
Watch the talk, then answer the reflection questions under the video and log it to your free Passport.
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