Walk This Way: The Surprising Link Between Posture and Persuasion

How your stride can supercharge your success

Ever watched someone walk into a room and instantly command attention?

Chances are, it wasn’t just what they were wearing or how they spoke. It was the confident and purposeful way they moved.

Your walk communicates a message, so it’s important to make sure it sends the right signals to others.

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🔑 Key Takeaways

• Your walk significantly impacts others’ perceptions of you.
• Confident body language can boost your own self-assurance.
• Small tweaks to your posture can lead to big changes in how you’re perceived.
• Mastering your walk can open doors in both personal and professional realms.

The Power of the Stride

Picture yourself at a lively networking event: the room is abuzz with chatter.

Suddenly, the crowd parts. As someone walks through, all eyes are on this individual. They’re not famous. They’re not shouting. They’re just walking. Yet they manage to captivate the attention of everyone in the room.

That exemplifies the impact of a well executed stride.

Your walk is like your signature tune, setting the tone for your presence. Your walk signals your presence even before you utter a single word.

• It reveals if you’re confident or nervous.
• It shows if you’re approachable or aloof.
• It indicates whether you’re a leader or a follower.

And here’s the beauty of it: you have the power to switch up your melody whenever you please.

The Science Behind the Swagger

You may be thinking, “It’s just walking. How complicated can it be?”

Here’s the fascinating part: science actually supports this.

Studies have shown that people quickly assess your competence, confidence, and even your success within seconds of seeing you move. This phenomenon is known as “thin-slicing,” and it’s hardwired into our brains.

Studies have also shown that changing your posture can actually alter your body chemistry.

Standing tall raises your testosterone levels and lowers your cortisol ¹ (stress hormone) levels.

In other words, act confident, and you’ll start feeling confident too.

Walking the Walk: Key Elements

So, how do you turn your average amble into a power walk? Let’s explore this step by step:

1. Posture: Stand tall. Imagine a string pulling you up from the crown of your head.
2. Shoulders: Keep them back and relaxed. No slouching!
3. Chin: Keep your chin parallel to the ground; avoid tilting it too high, which may seem arrogant, or too low, which may convey insecurity.
4. Arms: Let them swing naturally at your sides. Avoid stiff or robotic movements with your arms.
5. Maintain a steady and purposeful pace. Avoid walking too fast, which may make you appear nervous, or too slowly, which may give the impression of laziness.
6. Your stride should be comfortable yet confident. Avoid over striding, which can appear awkward, and taking tiny steps, which might make you seem timid.
7. Eye Contact: Look straight ahead instead of at the ground. When passing people, briefly make friendly eye contact with them.

Remember, the aim is not to attract attention like a peacock but to walk with determination and confidence.

Common Walking Pitfalls

Now that you know what to do, let’s talk about what not to do. Avoid these walking faux pas:

• Dragging your feet: Dragging your feet makes you look tired or uninterested.
• Excessive up-and-down movement: Too much up-and-down movement can make you appear childish.
• Tilting forward or backwards: Tilting forward or backwards throws off your balance and looks awkward.
• Excessive arm swinging: Swinging your arms too vigorously makes you look overeager or aggressive.
• Constantly looking at the ground: Constantly looking at the ground creates an impression of insecurity and unapproachability.

Practicing Your Power Walk

Here’s how to practice:

1. Watching Yourself in the Mirror: Watch yourself walk in a full-length mirror. Be honest about what you see.
2. Recording Your Walk: Record yourself walking and analyse your gait.
3. Focused Movement Practice: Take a few minutes each day to really focus on how you’re moving.
4. Reminder for Posture Alignment: Set reminders on your phone to check your posture throughout the day.
5. Imagining Confidence: Before entering a room, visualise yourself walking in with confidence.

Be patient with yourself as you practice, and remember that progress takes time and effort.

Real-World Success Stories

I once knew a guy; let’s call him Tom.

Tom was brilliant a trainer when it came to one-on-one training sessions, but he always seemed to get passed over for facilitating large group training.

Initially, it was partly due to his noticeable shuffle when he walked, which unintentionally gave off an impression of uncertainty or lack of confidence.

I mentioned this to my manager, Zak, who agreed Tom needed a boost of encouragement to improve his confidence, overcome the shuffling to be able to tackle larger group training sessions.

Zak helped Tom improve his stride over a few weeks.

Tom’s newfound poise made a significant difference in how he was perceived by the other trainers.

This subtle change, combined with his continued excellent work, helped Tom stand out more effectively. He moved on from training one-on-one sessions to facilitating classes of five or more learners.

Within six months, he had not only gained more respect but it also found him commanding the room and facilitating even larger groups of learners.

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Now, let’s talk about a friend of mine, Susan.

Susan had a problem with walking up straight — she often stooped due to her height. It made her self conscious at parties and social gatherings.

One day, she told me about a guy (Alex) she really liked, who had asked her out on a first date. Susan was determined to make a great impression.

She practiced her confident walk all week, focusing on maintaining good posture and a steady stride, which she knew could boost her self-esteem and influence the first impression she made.

When they met, she carried herself with such self-assurance that he immediately noticed.

Later, Alex told her he was impressed by her poise and the way she seemed comfortable and at ease right from the moment she walked in, which made the evening memorable and enjoyable.

I’m pleased to report that Alex and Susan have been dating for over three years.

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Got Questions?

Won’t changing my walk feel fake or unnatural?

At first, yes. But with practice, it will feel natural and comfortable. Think of it as upgrading your walk, not faking it.

Upgrading involves refining and enhancing your existing style to make it more confident and effective, whereas faking it might involve putting on a façade that feels inauthentic. With time, the upgraded walk becomes a genuine part of who you are.

Can my walk really make that big a difference?

Absolutely. First impressions happen fast, and your walk is a big part of that initial judgement.

Your walk conveys confidence, energy, and mood before you even say a word, setting the tone for how people perceive you.

A purposeful, confident stride can instantly communicate that you’re approachable and self-assured, making a lasting impact in those crucial first moments.

What if I have a physical condition that affects my gait?

Focus on aspects you can control, like posture and eye contact.

Confidence comes in many forms. For instance, a strong posture with shoulders back and head held high can convey self-assurance even if your gait is affected.

Maintaining good eye contact during conversations shows engagement and openness, which are key components of confidence.

Additionally, speaking clearly and with conviction can further reinforce your confidence, helping others perceive you positively regardless of your physical limitations.

How long will it take to see results?

You might notice changes in how people react to you within a week. Initial improvements can be quite noticeable in a short time, as people start to respond more positively to your more confident demeanour.

However, mastering your walk and integrating it naturally into your daily interactions can take several weeks to a few months.

The effort is well worth it, as the benefits of a more confident presence are significant and long-lasting.

Can this be effective for virtual meetings too?

Yes! Good posture and confident body language translate even through a screen.

Maintaining a straight posture and using expressive gestures can enhance your presence and convey confidence, even in a virtual setting.

Just as in face-to-face interactions, appearing engaged and poised helps make a positive impression. This includes sitting up straight, making eye contact with the camera, and using open, purposeful gestures to communicate effectively.

These elements help you come across as more credible and engaged, regardless of the medium.

Wrapping Up

Your walk is more than just a way to get from A to B. It’s a statement. It’s a billboard advertising your confidence, competence, and charisma to the world. Moreover, you have total control over what it says.

So the next time you’re heading into a big meeting, a first date, or even just to the corner store, remember: your walk matters.

Stand tall with confidence, move with purpose, and watch as doors (sometimes literally) open for you.

Reference:

¹ www.medicaldaily.com/change-your-posture-improve-your-mood-memory-and-5-other-aspects-your-life-289724

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