Master Your Stance: The Secret to Instant Command Presence

People form a first impression in just a few seconds and spoiler alert, it usually happens before you even speak. That's because your body speaks before you even open your mouth does. In public speaking, your physical presence sets the stage for everything that follows.

So first, let's get you grounded. Position your feet shoulder width apart. Placing them too close together can cause balance issues, making you appear tense or unsteady. Spacing them too far apart can seem overly rigid or unnatural. A balanced stance not only helps with stability but also projects confidence, openness, and poise.

Once you’ve found that solid stance, the next step is to protect it. Even with good footing, certain habits can break the sense of authority you’re building. Thus, let's explore 4 Don'ts related to posture:

4 Don’ts:

1. Don’t Swivel: Resist the urge to constantly rotate your body to look at everyone. It can make you appear restless and distract from your message. Instead, turn with intention when you need to address a different part of the audience (more on this in the upcoming blog).

2. Don’t Sway: Avoid rocking back and forth or side to side. This movement can signal nervousness, draw attention away from your words, and weaken your presence on stage. Staying grounded reinforces your authority and credibility.

3. Don’t Lean Forward: Leaning too far toward your audience can make you appear overly eager, anxious, or even intrusive, unintentionally disrupting your balance and straining your posture.

4. Don’t Lean Back: Leaning away from your audience can come across as disinterested, and arrogant. It creates physical and psychological distance, making it harder for you to connect with your audience.

   
   

Once you’ve mastered what not to do, it’s time to focus on what you should do. This is where you shift from simply avoiding bad habits to actively building a presence that commands the room. And it starts with a quick, three-step move I call the Power Posture Formula.

The Power Posture Formula

Great speakers aren't born with perfect posture; they learn a simple three-step technique that transforms their presence instantly:

Step 1: Raise Your Shoulders Lift your shoulders up toward your ears. This might feel unnatural at first, but it's the foundation of the reset.

Step 2: Push Shoulders Back Pull those raised shoulders back, opening up your chest. Feel your shoulder blades come together.

Step 3: Lower Your Shoulders Finally, let your shoulders drop down naturally. You'll notice your chest is now open, your spine is straight, and you've created an instant aura of confidence.

This simple sequence realigns your entire upper body and projects authority before you speak a single word. Practice this "shoulder reset" before every presentation, meeting, or important conversation.

Why Posture Matters More Than You Think

However, this isn’t just about presenting yourself confidently. This posture is also scientifically proven to help you with speaking. This posture opens up your chest cavity, allowing for deeper and fuller breaths. This increased lung capacity provides better breath support, which is essential for projecting the voice and maintaining a steady tone.

Tip: Practice the shoulder reset in front of a mirror until it becomes second nature. The goal is to make confident posture your default, not something you have to consciously remember during high-pressure moments.

So, that’s your quick guide to posture. Always remember that the way you stand can help you stand out.