Presidential Posture: Presentation

One way for presidents and world leaders to assure the public is through their body language. The words are important, but how they stand and gesture can add or detract from their message. Click here to see an example >>

Remember the recent debates between presidential candidates? When they addressed each other – did they face each other, then turn to the audience to give the rest of their message? Did they stand up straight? Gesture appropriately? Where did their eyes go?

You may not be running for President, but whatever you do – at work or at play — your body language – the way you stand, sit and "pose" sometimes has more effect on the message you’re trying to get across than what you’re actually saying, especially with the short attention span most people have today. How do you come across?

It may sound crazy, but stand in front of the mirror and observe your body language. Stand up. Sit down. Pretend you’re talking to a client. To a date. Watch your face, your arms. Are you standing up straight? Arms crossed on your chest? Are you smiling? Start with a good attitude, a pleasant expression and a self-confident posture. Don’t cross your arms or legs. Take up space. Face the person you’re talking to; don’t just give them a shoulder or half a back. Work on maintaining eye contact. Can you really trust or believe someone who won’t look you in the eye?

Next time you see someone you respect, or even someone you don’t, but someone who has an air of authenticity and self-confidence, pay attention to their body language. Then go back to the mirror.

Below, see Patti Wood's body language expertise in action on CBS's Inside Edition show, aired on January 22, 2008. In this segment entitled "Democratic Debate Body Language", the topic of discussion is the nasty and heated fireworks debate between democratic candidates Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama the prior evening covered by CNN. Patti's body language analysis reveals the non-verbal bitter battle of symbolic weapons and gestures used by the two presidential hopefuls.

 Below, see Patti Wood's body language expertise in action on Neal Cavuto's show "Your World" on Fox News, aired on July 30, 2007. In this segment entitled "Body Language Expert: Bush & Brown 'Like a Married Couple'", the topic of discussion is the recent first meeting between President George W. Bush and Great Britain's Prime Minister Gordan Brown at Camp David. Patti's body language analysis reveals the non-verbal body language cues between the two world leaders.