The other day I had a chance to test out the theory put forward by Amy Cuddy, a Harvard University Business School professor, whose research determined that small changes in your body language can make a small difference.
Last week I wrote a blog article about Ms. Cuddy’s TED Talk, “Your body language shapes who you are.” The blog article got quite a reaction from readers. Although I believe it intuitively, I wanted to check it out.
I love to sing. It is a secret passion of mine. I realize I am never going to be an opera or rock star but I wanted to see if I could sing in a group more advanced than my church choir. This required an audition. I’ve never auditioned for anything. I was scared to death. Actually, I was PETRIFIED. My choir director helped me pick a hymn to sing and I practiced at home, but I was still scared. I was the kind of scared that had me considering backing out.
I was afraid of feedback. I was not sure I was any good compared to other people already in the group. I did not want to be rejected. Sound familiar? I figured the feelings I was having were just as important to me as the feelings a job seeker has before an important interview. In fact, I am much less scared going into a job interview because I’ve done it before and I am confident of my abilities. But this was different. This was terrifying to me. I was almost hyperventilating.
So I decided to test out Ms. Cuddy’s recommendations. Her research indicates that if you adopt a power pose for two minutes prior to an important conversation, your testosterone goes up, reflecting increased dominance, and cortisol hormone goes down, reflecting reduced stress. You will feel more confident and project a confident exterior.
I sat in the car in the parking lot prior to the audition, doing power poses. I sat up straight, looked straight ahead and put my hands on my hips in a power pose for two minutes. I also said my mantra of “calm, confident, and courageous” while I was doing it. I hope no one saw me. I must have looked ridiculous.
Despite how silly I might have looked, after a few minutes, I noticed I started breathing calmer and I felt more confident. I got out of the car and walked with my head up confidently into the rehearsal room for the audition. I looked the Director in the face and spoke softly but confidently. I was still scared. No question. But I got through the audition without a hitch.
The Director recommended warm-ups prior to singing because my voice seemed tense. If only he know how tense I was! But he didn’t know. He thought I was confident. He thought I sang well enough to join the city-wide chorus.
The power pose and the mantra made me feel stronger. I was still scared but I was able to get up and do what needed to be done with an outward appearance that was calm and confident.
What else is necessary to a job seeker? The entire job search exercise is nerve racking and stressful. Much is on the line, ranging from prestige to resources to putting food on the table. So, if you can reduce the stress level even a little and project an outward calm and confidence, why not try the power poses? It can only help.