Better Body Language

We all know that body language is important in business.  But how important?

And does is really make a big difference when selling something complex like an investment in a hedge fund, private equity or venture capital?

And can you really improve how you are perceived just by changing some superficial body language?

The answer is definitely yes.

Professor Amy Cuddy of Harvard Business School has been studying the importance of body language – and power poses – on decision making.

In this 10 minute video she reviews some research into power poses and give some quick tips on how to be more successful in interviews and when pitching for investment.

In particular, note the importance of

1. Preparing in advance
2. Being enthusiastic, and not awkward
3. Using expansive gestures, (without being dominant)

Start of the transcript is:

“Power is expressed through these highly specific evolved nonverbal displays. I think it’s interesting to look at images of Obama where he will be leaning back with his feet up on his desk – and you know really spread out when he’s sort of in his own space. Powerlessness on the other hand is expressed through the very opposite nonverbal displays.

“One that comes to mind is an image of Michelle Obama on the cover of Vogue. She’s all sort of crossed up and making herself really small, which to me doesn’t even fit her. It doesn’t suit her.

“I’m Amy Cuddy, and I’m a social psychologist and professor at Harvard Business School. My main collaborator in this research, Dana Carney and I, were having a conversation after teaching MBA students.”

Call our client services director Louise Angus on 020 7018 0922 to discuss how we can help you win more business.

Helping you become a better communicator

Benjamin Ball Associates is a leading advisor on investment pitches, public speaking and presentations with 10+ years’ experience.

Clients use us for presentation coaching, public speaking coaching, investor pitch coaching, pitch document writing and media training.

Based in London we work throughout Europe. When we started, 10 years ago, we had a simple goal of helping companies improve their pitches, talks and presentations. That’s what we love doing and we do it with a mix of coaching, training and expert advice.