26: THE 76% SECRET: HOW YOUR STANCE CAN SEAL THE DEAL

So, the other day, I’m strolling through DC, minding my own business, when I overhear someone call another person a “joker.” My ADD brain instantly does what it does best—it hops over to the movie Joker.

Remember that unforgettable scene where Arthur Fleck, played by Joaquin Phoenix, is dancing up the staircase?

https://youtu.be/JeyVU4nMWCg?si=K4wivpVftgL4SeMx

He’s not just walking—he’s commanding space, moving with this eerie confidence that demands your attention.

That scene isn’t just movie magic; it’s a masterclass in body language, and as a body language expert, I can’t help but see it as a perfect example of how powerful our posture can be.

Here’s the deal: Research shows that open, expansive postures can make you 76% more persuasive.

That’s right—76%!

This comes from a study by social psychologist Amy Cuddy and her team at Harvard, who found that people who adopt open, confident stances are not only perceived as more persuasive, but they also feel more powerful themselves. It’s like Arthur Fleck flipping the switch from downtrodden to commanding, simply by the way he carries himself.

But let’s break this down a bit. What exactly is “open body language”?

It’s about taking up space and avoiding defensive gestures. Think standing tall with your arms relaxed at your sides versus hunching over with your arms crossed. The first stance says, “I’m confident and approachable,” while the latter can scream, “I’m defensive or closed off.” And people pick up on that, consciously or not.

Now, here’s where it gets really interesting—there’s a physiological component to this as well. Cuddy’s research discovered that when people hold these open postures for just two minutes, their testosterone levels go up (that’s the confidence hormone), and their cortisol levels go down (that’s the stress hormone).

So, not only do you look more confident, but you actually feel more confident. It’s like your body is giving you a little pep talk, saying, “You’ve got this.”

So how can you use this in your everyday life?

Whether you’re pitching an idea, negotiating a deal, or even just trying to win an argument at the dinner table, paying attention to your body language can make a world of difference. And like anything, it’s all about practice.

Exercise: Mastering Open Body Language

Here’s a little something to help you start paying more attention to your posture:

1. Channel Your Inner Joker (the confident kind, not the chaotic one): Each morning, take two minutes to stand in front of a mirror and adopt an open posture—stand tall, shoulders back, chin up, arms relaxed. As you hold this stance, notice how it makes you feel.

Do you sense a boost in confidence?

This little routine can set the tone for your entire day.

2. Posture Check-In: Set an hourly reminder on your phone to check your posture throughout the day.

Are you slouching?

Are your arms crossed?

If so, straighten up and adopt a more open stance. The goal is to make this a habit, so it becomes second nature.

A year ago, I was interviewed on the Mel Robbins podcast and recently she ranked me as one of the top 5 people - she’s ever interviewed - to influence her. One of my communication hacks she highlighted was where I talked about how to demonstrate good posture. Check out the video below with Mel and me.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_OJydBSY4Z/?igsh=d3Jubnd6Z2IwZTE=

3. Interaction Experiment: Next time you’re in a conversation—whether it’s a meeting, a social gathering, or even a one-on-one—consciously adopt an open posture.

Face the person you’re talking to, uncross your arms, and relax into the conversation.

Then, pay attention to how they respond.

Are they more engaged?

More receptive to your ideas?

Reflect on how it felt for you, too—did you feel more persuasive or confident?

Remember, how you stand isn’t just about appearances—it’s about tapping into a deeper reservoir of confidence and influence.

So next time you need to sway someone, close a deal, or just make your point, remember: your posture might be the secret weapon you didn’t know you had.