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298. Quick Thinks: How to Look Confident, Composed, and Credible
Brief
How to look confident, composed, and credible is the focus of this Quick Thinks episode with Matt Abrahams (Stanford GSB). He lays out a concise, research-informed routine: adopt a 'big, balanced, and still' starting stance (shoulder blades down, head straight, feet parallel with one slightly forward), and apply the same principles when seated (forearms on the table, feet flat). Hands should rest at the side or at the belly button; gestures must travel beyond the shoulders and return to a neutral place. For eye contact, spread gaze across the room (use quadrants for groups of eight+), and when pausing to think look down rather than up. Abrahams closes with a practical training tip — record yourself and watch silently (he has students view at 2x to notice swaying) to correct distracting habits and build presence.
Why it matters
Matt Abrahams (Stanford GSB): Use a 'big, balanced, and still' starting stance — pull shoulder blades down (not puff chest), keep head straight, place feet parallel under shoulders with one foot slightly forward (even rise on tiptoes) to settle weight; step toward the audience at the start or when responding to look confident.
Key details
- Matt Abrahams: Hands should rest either down by your sides or at the abdomen/belly button (palm-on-palm, interlaced, or light steeple); avoid low defensive positions, high 'praying' positions, fidgeting, or playing with rings.
- Matt Abrahams: Gesture beyond your shoulders (use the chest as a 'basketball key' — step out of the key briefly then return to neutral) and spread eye contact non-patternedly; for audiences of eight or more, divide the room into quadrants; when pausing to think, look down (appears thoughtful) rather than up (appears confused) and move laterally during transitions.
- Matt Abrahams: Practice by digitally recording yourself and reviewing the video with the sound off (he has students watch recordings at 2x speed without audio to spot swaying); repeated recording/review is the single best tool to improve nonverbal presence.