Speak Up: Develop Your Executive Presence & Leadership Communication Style · Laura Camacho

503: Why Power Poses and Tiny Gestures Change Your Brain Chemistry & Elevate Your Executive Presence

·24 min·2 clips

Dr. Furling explains why liars actually make more eye contact, not less, and how to spot deception through restricted gestures.

This episode of Speak Up features host Laura Camacho interviewing body language expert Dr. Stephen Furling about using nonverbal cues to enhance executive presence. Dr. Furling is a university professor and author of the book *Nonverbal Epiphany*, which combines academic research with practical application. The conversation focuses on how professionals can project confidence and authority through specific physical behaviors. Dr. Furling cites research by Amy Cuddy showing that holding "power poses" before an interview increases testosterone and decreases cortisol, leading to higher performance ratings. He references a study where holding a pen in the mouth to force a smile resulted in a more positive emotional experience afterward. The discussion covers how incarcerated criminals could identify easier victims based on body language like contracted postures and lack of eye contact. Dr. Furling explains that a symmetrical walk, based on the golden ratio of stride length, is perceived as more attractive and in control. Regarding deception, he states that people often increase eye contact when lying, contrary to popular belief. Liars typically restrict and repeat simple gestures because deception is cognitively taxing, making their nonverbal behavior appear less natural. He mentions that for right-handed people, looking to the left when speaking suggests truthfulness by accessing the brain's emotional centers, while looking to the right suggests fabrication. Dr. Furling notes that a person's feet pointing toward an exit can signal a desire to leave a conversation. He analyzes the power dynamics of handshakes, explaining that a palm-down grip is dominant, while a palm-up grip is submissive. Politicians like Donald Trump often use the palm-down style, and individuals may jockey to position someone on their left to naturally achieve this dominant handshake. Counter-moves to a dominant handshake include tapping the other person's hand or pulling them closer. For presentations, Dr. Furling recommends walking slowly to the front of the room and making eye contact with everyone before speaking to establish control. The "steeple" gesture—fingertips together under the chin—is a universal sign of confidence, even used by people who are blind. For persuasion, he suggests using eager, palms-up gestures when someone agrees with you and vigilant, palms-down gestures when they are hesitant. Mirroring another person's body language can build rapport by increasing oxytocin and activating similar brain areas. Dr. Furling concludes that females are biologically superior at detecting deception due to more integrated brain hemispheres, higher oxytocin levels, and more mirror neurons. The tone is educational and conversational, with the host and guest exchanging practical tips and personal anecdotes. The style is instructional, breaking down complex research into actionable advice for professional settings. Listeners interested in psychology, communication skills, or career advancement would find this episode valuable for its specific techniques. Those seeking a purely theoretical or critical examination of body language research might find the episode too applied or anecdotal.

As heard by us

A body-language take on executive presence for people who keep getting overlooked.

The episode treats executive presence as something broader than a polished line in a meeting. It argues that posture, steady hand gestures, walking pace, and even what someone is carrying can change how that person is read.

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If you want to read the room before the room reads you, start here.

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