Two-Minute Power Pose
Standing in an expansive posture for two minutes before a stressful event may increase feelings of confidence.
Instructions
- Find a private space (bathroom, hallway, empty office).
- Stand tall with feet shoulder-width apart, hands on hips or arms raised in a V shape.
- Hold the pose for two full minutes.
- Proceed to your high-stakes situation (interview, presentation, difficult conversation).
The Two-Minute Power Pose is drawn from Amy Cuddy’s research on embodied cognition. The core idea is that adopting an expansive body posture can influence your psychological state, making you feel more confident and powerful before high-stakes situations.
How It Works
The theory is that body posture sends signals to the brain about your current state. Expansive, open postures signal dominance and safety, which may reduce cortisol (stress hormone) and increase subjective feelings of confidence.
When to Use It
This experiment is most useful in the two minutes before a situation where confidence matters — a job interview, a presentation, a negotiation, or a difficult conversation. It’s a quick, private ritual that requires no equipment or special conditions.
What the Evidence Says
The evidence is mixed. The original study’s hormonal claims have not held up under replication, but the self-reported confidence effects have been more robust. Think of this as a psychological warm-up rather than a physiological intervention.
Evidence: mixed / contested
Self-reported confidence effects have been supported in multiple studies. Hormonal effects (testosterone, cortisol) from the original study have not replicated consistently. The practical value of the exercise may be independent of the hormonal mechanism.