There’s a huge difference between feeling confident and appearing confident, especially during a conversation.

The difference boils down to perception. Feeling confident is an internal state of mind while appearing confident is all about how others perceive you. Believe it or not, your body language plays a significant role in this perception.

Mastering the art of body language can be your secret weapon to exude confidence, even when you may not feel it. And let me tell you, there are certain body language tricks that can help you project confidence without coming off as arrogant.

Here are some body language tricks you need to start practising if you want to appear more confident when conversing with others.

1) Power pose

There’s hardly an area where body language is more crucial than in personal communication.

And those who often engage in conversations know the importance of a power pose.

In many cases, you’ll find yourself in scenarios where expressing your confidence is vital. And it can be quite challenging to know how to demonstrate this.

Enter the concept of power posing.

Power posing is a term popularized by Amy Cuddy in her 2012 TED talk. The basic idea is that our body language can significantly affect how we perceive ourselves, not just how others perceive us.

Think about it. It’s the theory behind standing tall, keeping your shoulders back, and opening up your chest. These poses are perceived as powerful and confident by others. When a person feels unsure or nervous, adopting a power pose can instantly boost their confidence.

If you want to appear more confident during conversations, start practicing the power pose.

2) Eye contact

Let me share a personal experience here. I used to have a hard time maintaining eye contact during conversations. I’d often look away, find something else to focus on, or simply stare at my shoes.

But then, I read about the importance of eye contact in projecting confidence.

Eye contact is like a secret handshake that only the truly confident know. It shows you’re engaged, interested, and present in the conversation. More importantly, it’s a non-verbal cue that screams confidence.

So I started practising. At first, it felt awkward and forced. But over time, keeping eye contact became more natural to me.

And trust me, it made a world of difference.

Now when I converse with others, I make sure to maintain steady yet comfortable eye contact. It not only made me appear more confident but also helped me connect better with people.

3) Mirroring

Mirroring is a fascinating psychological phenomenon where people subconsciously start copying the body language of the person they’re interacting with. It’s a natural way of building rapport and showing empathy.

Here’s something to ponder on: FBI negotiators often employ mirroring during hostage situations to establish a connection with the captor and de-escalate the situation. It’s that powerful!

In daily conversations, subtly mirroring the other person’s body language can make you seem more likable and confident. It makes the other person feel understood and comfortable around you.

But keep in mind – subtlety is key here. You don’t want to mimic every move they make, just slight gestures or posture shifts.

4) Open posture

An open posture is a powerful tool in portraying confidence during conversations. It’s about how you sit, stand, and carry yourself.

When we close off our bodies, by crossing our arms or hunching our shoulders, it gives off a signal of discomfort or nervousness. On the contrary, an open posture communicates that you’re comfortable in your skin and confident in the conversation.

Start by relaxing your shoulders, uncrossing your arms, and facing the person with whom you’re speaking. This open posture invites interaction and makes you appear more approachable and self-assured.

Remember to be mindful of your posture during conversations. With practice, maintaining an open posture will become second nature to you, enhancing your overall confidence in conversations.

5) Steady gestures

Ever noticed how your hands tend to fidget when you’re nervous? That’s a dead giveaway of a lack of confidence. Controlling your gestures can significantly influence how confident you appear in conversations.

Steady, controlled gestures indicate a calm and confident mind. Whether it’s using hand gestures to emphasize a point or keeping your hands relaxed on your lap, the way you manage your movements matters.

Try to be more conscious of your hand movements during conversations – are they erratic or calm? Are they supporting what you’re saying or distracting from it?

Practise controlled purposeful gestures. And remember, sometimes less is more. Being still can communicate confidence just as effectively as grand gestures.

6) Genuine smile

Nothing communicates confidence, warmth, and approachability like a genuine smile. It’s a universal sign of friendliness that can instantly make conversations feel more comfortable and pleasant.

But here’s the catch – it has to be genuine. People can easily tell the difference between a sincere smile and a forced one. A genuine smile can reach the eyes, creating tiny wrinkles around them – this is often called a Duchenne smile.

When you smile sincerely during conversations, it shows that you’re confident, at ease, and enjoying the interaction. It also encourages the other person to feel the same way.

Next time you’re in a conversation, remember to wear your most genuine smile. It could make all the difference in how confident you come across.

7) Lowering your voice pitch

I’ll be honest—I used to feel pretty self-conscious about my voice. Especially when the pressure was on, it had this annoying habit of pitching higher, making me sound less confident than I wanted to be.

But then I stumbled upon something game-changing: the power of voice pitch in shaping how confident we come across.

Turns out, a lower voice pitch screams authority and confidence. It’s like a secret weapon that grabs attention and commands respect. And get this—it’s not about faking it; it’s about tapping into your diaphragm to give your voice that rich, resonant tone.

So, I decided to give it a whirl, especially before those nerve-wracking meetings and presentations. And let me tell you, the results blew me away. Not only did I sound more confident, but I felt it, too.

If you’re anything like me and struggle with a squeaky voice when the stakes are high, give speaking from your diaphragm a shot. Trust me, it could be the game-changer you’ve been searching for in boosting your confidence in conversations.

8) Maintaining distance

Navigating personal space during conversations is like walking a tightrope—it’s all about finding that sweet spot between too close and too far.

You see, too little distance? It’s like invading someone’s personal bubble, and trust me, that’s a surefire way to make them squirm. But swing too far in the other direction? You risk coming off as aloof or disinterested.

So, what’s the magic formula? Well, it’s all about that arm’s length rule of thumb. It’s like the Goldilocks of personal space—not too close, not too far, just right.

But here’s the kicker—it’s essential to consider cultural differences and individual preferences. Some cultures are comfortable with closer interactions, while others prefer more space.

9) Practice makes perfect

When it comes to mastering body language for confidence, there’s no shortcut or magic trick – it all boils down to practice.

The more you practice these body language tricks, the more natural they’ll become. Over time, they’ll integrate into your behaviour, making you appear more confident without even trying.

It’s about being self-aware, catching yourself when you fall back into old habits, and consciously choosing to apply these techniques. It may feel strange at the beginning, but remember – growth often happens outside of our comfort zone.

So, keep at it. With time and practice, you’ll not only look the part but feel it too. Trust me, it’s worth the effort.

Final thoughts: It’s a journey

Confidence isn’t just about the words that roll off your tongue—it’s about the silent language your body speaks, too. And let me tell you, it’s a chatterbox.

But here’s the thing: mastering these body language tricks isn’t about putting on a show or pretending to be someone you’re not. Instead, it’s about cranking up the volume on your natural charisma and feeling like a million bucks in every conversation.

Whether you’re striking a power pose, locking eyes like a boss, or mirroring your conversation partner’s vibes, each move inches you closer to that effortlessly confident persona you’ve been dreaming of.

But hey, don’t forget that this isn’t an overnight gig. It’s a journey—a journey of self-discovery and growth. With every practice session, you’ll feel more at home in your own skin.