Posture
We give clues about what we are thinking by the way we sit or stand. That doesn’t mean that everyone who sits upright is interested or that everyone who slumps is bored. But paying attention to posture can help us communicate a message more clearly.
Posture is usually interpreted at a subconscious level. Here are some examples of posture with some generally accepted meanings:
| Posture | Meaning |
| Leaning slightly towards a speaker | Suggests interest in a topic |
| Arms folded | Suggests disagreement |
| Tilting head to one side | Suggests you are listening |
| Standing with both feet on the ground | Suggests confidence |
| Standing with weight on one foot | Suggests uncertainty |
| Posture | Leaning slightly towards a speaker |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Suggests interest in a topic |
| Posture | Arms folded |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Suggests disagreement |
| Posture | Tilting head to one side |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Suggests you are listening |
| Posture | Standing with both feet on the ground |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Suggests confidence |
| Posture | Standing with weight on one foot |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Suggests uncertainty |
You can use your own posture to your advantage when you are in a discussion or giving a presentation. Show that you are interested and engaged with a speaker by leaning slightly towards them and tilting your head to one side. Feel the difference yourself, for example, when you fold your arms and sit back in your chair.
To appear more confident when delivering a speech or presentation:
- plant your feet firmly on the ground, about hip distance apart
- roll your shoulders back
- keep your chin up
- keep your arms relaxed and by your side, unless you are making specific gestures
Even if you don’t feel confident on the inside, this posture will go some way to convincing your audience that you know what you’re talking about.
Watch how the One Show hosts and their guests Michael Palin and Sam Smith adopt confident postures