3 Unconscious Habits That Make You Look Less Confident

"A landmark 2015 study published in Psychological Science found that observers make swift, reliable judgments about a person's dominance and confidence based almost entirely on nonverbal cues, particularly their posture. The research demonstrated that subtle postural differences didn't just influence how others rated a person's competence; they also predicted real-world outcomes, including who got hired in simulated job evaluations."

"Feeling fine on the inside is not enough if your body is telling a different story. Here are three habits that quietly undermine how confident you appear, even when your self-assurance is genuinely intact."

"Imagine someone walking into a room and immediately folding inward, shoulders rolled forward, arms pulled close to the torso, chin angled slightly down. Now imagine someone who enters the same room and takes up space: shoulders back and open, arms slightly away from the body, head level. You probably formed an impression of each person within seconds."

Research indicates that nonverbal cues, particularly posture, play a crucial role in how confidence is perceived by others. A 2015 study found that observers quickly assess a person's dominance and confidence based on these cues. Subtle differences in posture can affect evaluations of competence and even impact hiring decisions. Many individuals focus on internal feelings of confidence while neglecting the importance of their physical presence. Certain habits, like collapsing physical space, can undermine the perception of confidence, regardless of actual self-assurance.

Read at Psychology Today