Stand With Confidence
Stand on both feet with your weight spread
between your feet. Shifting your weight
from one foot to the other shows that
you are uncomfortable and self-conscious.
Do not lock your knees. Stand with
your feet slightly apart.
Keep your body straight with your shoulders
back - this will allow you to breath
properly. Your arms must hang relaxed
down your sides and not cover your body.
This will give you an “open” posture,
which projects confidence (you have nothing
to “hide”).
Walk With Confidence
Your posture, the speed with which you
walk, and your stride are a sign of
your mood and emotions. Happy people
walk faster with lightness in their
step and their posture is upright.
Depressed people walk a slow and heavy
stride, head bowed down and shoulders
lowered.
To walk with confidence, keep your posture
in an upright position with your arms
relaxed next to your body. Swing your
arms spontaneously when walking without
any exaggerated movements. Unless you
are in a hurry, walk at a medium pace
and purposefully.
To walk in one of the following ways
can cause people to respond negatively
to you:
- Hands in pockets: People walking
with hands in their pockets are perceived
to be secretive, withdrawn and critical.
When the hands are in the pockets and
the person walks slowly with head bowed
down, he/she is probably depressed
and if he/she kicks items while walking
with this posture, he/she is also angry.
(Note: hands can also be put into pockets,
purely because they are cold – take
note of the cluster of gestures).
- Folded arms: Walking with folded
arms shows that the person is trying
to protect him/herself and can act
defensive. It can also signal a lack
of confidence. (Note: people also fold
their arms when they are cold).
- Focus on ground: People that walk
slowly, with head bowed down and not
noticing anything but the ground, are
in deep thought and may even be trying
to reach a conclusion. They will normally
walk up and down to no destination.
- Hands on hips: This projects an angry
and aggressive mood. (Note: models
on a ramp walk with hands on hips as
part of showing off the clothes).
- Strutting: This is a walk with a
rigid posture, raised chin and exaggerated
arm movements. It conveys the message
of arrogance, self-centeredness and
fixed opinions. (Almost a military
walk).
Sit With Confidence
When you are asked to take a seat, always
be aware of your posture. When you
sit up straight with folded limbs and
a frown on your face, you will be perceived
as aggressive and defensive. When you
sit in a bent position with folded
limbs you will be perceived as someone
with a lack of confidence, uncertain
and trying to protect yourself against
the ‘unknown’.
Folding limbs is not wrong, it is natural
process for people to cross legs or arms
when they find themselves in a strange
environment and feel uneasy.
To adopt a relaxed, confident sitting
posture, you will have to practice not
to cross any limbs. Sit straight in a
chair, with your back against the back
of the chair, your legs together or slightly
apart (and maybe crossed at the ankles
only) and your hands in your lap, on
hand on top of the other. Always try
to keep your posture “open”.
Written by:
Lianne Smuts
1st Solutions
www.1stSolutions.co.za |
