1. The Power of
Presence
Lessons from research by
Amy Cuddy
Heidi Alexandra Pollard
CEO, UQ Power

2. Executive & Leadership Presence
We all know executive presence when we see it. It’s that feeling
you get when someone walks in poised and polished, with the
presence of a leader. There’s a certain je ne sais quoi about
how they carry themself, which of course, seems effortless.
We all want it, but how do we get it?
Basically executive presence is
comprised of three things:
1.Communication: how you talk
2.Gravitas: how you act
3.Perceived identity: how
you look

3. Communication
In recent weeks, there’s been a burst of media attention
about women’s words, in particular the “sorrys,” “justs” and
other undermining phrases that often show up in what
women write and say. It’s a case of foot in mouth daily.
If you’re used to using self-deprecating speech to come
across as more likable, why not try an alternative approach:
conveying likability in positive, not self-undermining ways –
such as making personal
connections, expressing
appreciation for others –
and showing a strong
interest in their points
of view.

4. Gravitas – Confidence Under Pressure
Many of our clients are great leaders, but when presenting in
meetings with more senior or powerful people they freeze with
anxiety. Their executive presence crashes and burns.
We work with them to then proactively implement a plan before
they experience visible signs of stress. A way to cope with the
emotions as they came up in a way that doesn’t
put them at a professional disadvantage.

5. Perceived Identity
Other clients we’ve worked with have impressive credentials, and
experience but when they present at conferences, they’re not seen
as an expert.
Why? Because they don’t look like one. Often it is that they need
to review their look. It may be they need to look more polished,
upbeat or sophisticated.
As research from Harvard Medical School proves,
“People assess your competence and trustworthiness in a quarter of
It’s not fair, but if you want to move forward in your career, you
want to look the part so your ideas are the focal point, not your
wardrobe. Sometimes you need to dress for the job you want.

6. Despite all the change in business and the world the
one constant remains the same – the ability to
influence, engage, inspire, relate and build rapport.
Ie:
The ability to
communicate
The One Constant in Leadership

7. IN PARTICULAR
Non-verbal communication
WITH YOURSELF AND OTHERS

8. - 7% of meaning is in the words that are spoken
-38% of meaning is paralinguistic – the way we say it
-55% of meaning is in body language & expression
WHY YOU MUST BECOME FLUENT
IN A SECOND LANGUAGE

9. Lessons from Amy Cuddy
Last week UQ Power had the pleasure of sponsoring
a Business Chicks Workshop with Harvard
researcher Amy Cuddy on the Power of Presence.

10. AMY’S LESSONS
TO POWER UP YOUR LEADERSHIP
PRESENCE AND STEP INTO YOUR
Unique Power

11. “That was the worst elevator pitch I have ever heard,” Amy was told
by a scholar she wanted to impress, as the elevator doors closed.
“It was my biggest professional challenge and I fell on my face,”
Cuddy said.
Lesson 1 – Fear is a blocker

12. She was paralysed with fear even before the moment arrived
and that fear meant she couldn’t be present in the moment
when she needed to be.
She couldn’t nail the pitch because of it.
“I still haven’t made peace with the whole elevator pitch idea
because I don’t think you can communicate the essence of
who you are in a few words.”
But that exchange taught her an invaluable lesson:
when you approach a situation with dread and
anxiety you will undermine your own performance.
Lesson 1 – Fear is a blocker

13. As a leader what’s the biggest fear or communication challenge
you face or thing you would rather hide from?
What’s your biggest challenge?

14. The reality is we hate losing and we hate being judged.
Amy reminded us “You have to make peace with the fact you’re
human.”
Why it’s difficult

15. The best thing you can do to overcome any challenges is to
start with U and to access and express your authentic self. This
will allow you to be more confident even when you don’t know
what the outcome will be.
Lesson 2 – StartwithU

16. Of course you can’t confuse arrogance with confidence.
“Arrogance and confidence get conflated but they are not the same
things. Arrogance is a wall we put up when we feel threatened.”
“Arrogance is a smoke screen for insecurity.
Arrogance is not appealing. It does not serve you.”
Confidence not arrogance

17. Being confident means being comfortable in yourself and that you
don’t put up a smokescreen and you can be open to criticism. It’s
when your words and body language match.
“Confidence is not a weapon,
it’s a tool.
When you are confident
you can be present without
arrogance.”
Confidence not arrogance

18. You have believe in yourself and your message. If you don’t
believe, no one else will, every one can spot a phoney!
“We convince by our words. You can script the words, but not
the body language – look out for leaks and asynchronicities.”
Lesson 3– Believe in U

19. Understanding your body language and other physical
queues is very important when you are communicating with
others. Your non-verbal communication skills are just as
important as your verbal skills.
The most important thing to ensure is congruence – that your
messages match your body.
When they do you can blast off!
“Power reveals who we are.
Power can serve others too.”
Belief Translates to Power

20. • Why would you share your authentic self with someone
who isn’t being authentic? Cuddy says most of us won’t
and the same goes for a person who isn’t present.
• “In leadership roles, your people need you to be present.
Even when you have a million other things to do, by being
present with them you are inviting them to thrive.”
• Research shows when people feel powerful and present:
– they feel more optimistic
– have a greater sense of self efficacy
– see challenges as opportunities
– think more clearly
– are more creative.
Lesson 4 – Presence is Contagious

21. • Making yourself bigger will make you feel more
powerful
• When Amy Cuddy was in the lift as a grad student
attempting her elevator pitch, her body reacted as if it
were being chased by a tiger.
• “But I wasn’t being chased by a tiger. Often the challenges
we face are not the same as being chased by a predator
but our body reacts that way.”
• It is a primitive instinct. When
primates have power they make
themselves look bigger.
They physically expand their
body to show power.
Lesson 5 – Big is Better

22. Humans do too. After a sporting victory, athletes from a
variety sports, events and cultures spontaneously adopt the
same stance. They throw their arms above their heads in a V
and open their mouths wide. The pose represents pride,
power and confidence and it’s universal.
“Research has shown that even congenitally
blind people adopt the same pose after a victory
– it is as hard wired as smiling is to
happiness,” Cuddy says. “We do the opposite
when we feel powerless: we collapse and
making ourselves small. We cover our faces
– not to avoid seeing but to protect ourselves.”
V is for Victory

23. Before a challenge, like a job interview, important meeting or
performance, make yourself big. Adopt powerful positions. Sit
up straight, stand up tall and expand your size. Trick your
mind into following your body.
“Acting the way you want to be perceived works.”
Doing this to prepare for a challenge has been shown by
research to create the following changes:
– people can lift more weights at the gym
– older people are more willing to try
new technology without feeling
threatened
– improved the likelihood of an
individual to be hired
– lessened symptoms of depression
Lesson 6 – Fake It Until You Become It

24. Stand tall.
Don’t be afraid to take up space.
Expand yourself.
Stretch widely.
And most importantly, teach this to you daughters.
Go out and Power Pose

25. It’s not just about the poses
“I regret calling my Ted talk “power poses” because
it’s not just the poses. It’s about expansiveness – it’s
about carrying yourself in a more open way.”
Our feelings mimic our posture and tiny tweaks
make big changes.
Lead With Love

26. DISCUSSION
UQPower.com.au