Body Language and Confidence Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Key Difference in Presence:
  • Jimmy vs. Chad scenario illustrating the power of body language.
  • Importance of posture and confident body language.

Standing Positions

• Neutral Stance:
  • Feet close together. Signals neutrality (e.g., school children, soldiers).
  • Submissive due to small foundation.
• Wide Stance:
  • Feet further apart. Semi-formal, masculine, dominant.
  • Presents a strong base but can be overpowering.
• Crossed Legs:
  • Indicates a submissive, feminine position.
• Forward Foot Position:
  • Historical masculine signal; attractive to women.
  • Common among celebrities.

Arm Positioning

• Crossed Arms:
  • Signals protection of vital organs.
• Hands in Pockets:
  • Shows insecurity.
• Hands on Hips:
  • Masculine but potentially arrogant.
• Balanced Hand Positioning:
  • One hand in pocket, one hand down.
  • Hands behind back or clasped as balanced options.
• Posture Fundamentals:
  • Head up, chest out, shoulders back.
  • "String theory" and tape trick for posture correction.

Walking

• Key Principles:
  • Head up, chest out, chin down, shoulders back.
• Gender Differences in Walking:
  • Women sway hips; men should accentuate shoulder movement subtly.
• Model Walk Technique:
  • Lead turns with inside foot for confidence and direction.
  • Natural hand swing and steady gaze.

Sitting Positions

• Narrow Stance:
  • Protective of genitals, submissive.
• Wide Stance:
  • Masculine, potentially seen as misogynistic (manspreading).
• Starter's Position:
  • Combination of wide stance and attentive hand/elbow placement.
• Expansive Body Language:
  • Sign of confidence. Take up space like a leader.
• Crossed Legs Variations:
  • Figure four lock for masculinity.
  • Simple crossed legs for elegance.

Hand Position While Sitting

• Clasped Hands:
  • Tightly clasped indicates negativity.
• Steepled Hands:
  • Conveys confidence; lowers when listening.
• Touching the Face:
  • Different signals (boredom, embarrassment, evaluation).

Communication

• Importance of Non-verbal Communication:
  • 55% nonverbal, 38% vocal, 7% words (according to Albert Morabian).
• Facial Expressions:
  • Convey emotions through eyebrows, eyes, and mouth.
• Hand Movements:
  • Add impact to communication.
  • Types: Points, Sweeps, Frames, Cuts.

Effective Speaking

• Combining Hand Gestures:
  • Enhance speech with points, sweeps, frames, and cuts.
  • Examples: Graham Stephan (sweeps), Andrew Tate (points and cuts).