Body Language!

While looking through some Ted Talk videos, I came across a video that I found very interesting. Amy Cuddy talks about how our body language shapes who we are.

She explains how we are fascinated with our own body language as well as other people's body language. As human beings we seem to be interested in the awkward interactions or even a smile, or an extremely awkward wink.

Body language is linked to communication; as soon as you go to shake someone’s hand or give eye contact, that becomes your first communication between yourself and the other person. Amy Cuddy asks two questions; what is your body language communicating to me and what’s mine communicating to you?

Body language has been studied by social scientists who have spent time looking at the effects of our body language as well as other people’s body language. We make judgments and inferences purely from the way someone positions their body. The judgments we make have meaningful outcomes on our lives, such as who we will ask out on a date or who will be promoted.

Our body language is also influenced by our nonverbal thoughts and feelings and our physiology. A nonverbal expression could be something as simple as power and dominance. People do this by making themselves look big by stretching out and taking up space, basically they open up. This is what happens in the animal kingdom but humans do the same thing. Therefore, both position themselves like this when they have power and even if they’re feeling powerful in that moment.

The last thing Amy Cuddy mentions is “a tiny tweak can lead to big changes.” Before an interview or stressful evaluative, configure your brain to be able to cope in the best way in that situation. Remember that you should not leave the situation feeling that you didn't do enough and didn't show them who you really are. You should leave feeling that you did very well and they know exactly who you are.