Summary

The article emphasizes the importance of standing and maintaining high power poses during presentations and meetings for improved energy levels, positivity, and confidence in communication.

Abstract

The article "Stop Sitting, Start Pitching" discusses the significance of standing and using high power poses during presentations and meetings. It highlights how sitting is often associated with laziness and procrastination, and that important speeches and pitches throughout history have been made while standing. The author references social psychologist Amy Cuddy, who suggests that our body language can shape our power dynamics and energy levels. The article suggests implementing high power poses in everyday work life to increase energy and positivity. It advises against attending meetings while sitting at a home desk and encourages standing during presentations to boost confidence and energy levels. The author also mentions that a standing desk is not necessary, as any high platform at home can serve the purpose. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of movement and physical activity before meetings to maintain sustained energy throughout the day.

Bullet points

Sitting is often associated with laziness and procrastination.
Important speeches and pitches throughout history have been made while standing.
Social psychologist Amy Cuddy suggests that our body language can shape our power dynamics and energy levels.
Implementing high power poses in everyday work life can increase energy and positivity.
Avoid attending meetings while sitting at a home desk.
Standing during presentations can boost confidence and energy levels.
A standing desk is not necessary; any high platform at home can serve the purpose.
Movement and physical activity before meetings can help maintain sustained energy throughout the day.

Stop Sitting, Start Pitching

You are presenting and pitching the wrong way at work

Couch Potatoe. Lapdog. Lounger.

There’s a reason that sitting is often used as a metaphor for being lazy and procrastinating. Even when Bruno Mars doesn’t “feel like doing anything”, he wants to “be lounging on the couch, just chilling in [his] Snuggie”.

Yet, we continue to sit and present at work, even when we are dressed to impress!

Let’s take a quick look at our history —

Martin Luther King gave his infamous speech, ‘I have a Dream’ while standing on a podium.

Presidents and prime ministers all address their nations while standing.

While at university, we are told to pitch our presentations and share our thesis while standing. Even in schools, teachers make us stand in front of the class when reading or presenting.

All important speeches and pitches are made, you guessed it — while standing.

Why? Because posture is powerful.

According to Amy Cuddy, an American Social Psychologist, our body language may even contribute to shaping who we are! In her TED Talk, she explains that how we express ourselves shapes our power dynamics and energy levels. When we are feeling low, faking it and using our non-verbals can help us feel more powerful.

We need to take this concept of ‘High Power Poses’ and implement it in our everyday work lives!

Stop attending meetings while sitting at your home desk

I have often been given positive feedback that I am always high on energy in meetings and always smiling and alive. My trick? I always stand and present.

At work, with clients and stakeholders, we always want to be at our highest energy level and sharpest. So why do we pitch a concept to an executive while seated on our desk at home?

The simplest way to break our Zoom fatigue is to simply stand-up and change our posture and position. Our hunch automatically fixes itself, and our peripheral view becomes a different part of the wall, which I believe can subconsciously help rejuvenate our mindset.

Standing in that high power position ups our energy levels and positivity and can make us more confident communicators!

No, you don’t need a standing desk

To be able to implement this simple tactic, you don’t need to go crazy and buy a $400 standing desk on Amazon. Not at all.

You all must have a platform at home that is high enough to place your laptop on while standing. A kitchen-top, a bar, or even a window sill would work (just ensure the window is closed to mitigate any disasters). Unless you absolutely need a dual monitor setup during the meeting, you can always find a way to stand. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

To boost your energy levels, you just need a change. And it’s only for a short while. Unless you have a ridiculously long 2+ hour meeting penned into your calendar, you can easily do it. So just invest in yourself and put your laptop on a higher platform for that hour and a half.

It’s not just while presenting, what you do before matters as well

To have sustained energy throughout the day, you have to keep refreshing your physical body as well. You just need movement.

Before your meetings, instead of going over the deck or speaker notes, just take a walk around your house. Pop a window open for some fresh air. Step out into the balcony or porch for some Vitamin D. Or even spin a hula hoop around your workspace (that’s what I do).

When you feel more energized and active, you exude that. You radiate and project that same energy to your counterparts and stakeholders. You help them get that buy-in to you as a brand quicker. When you stand and pitch your thoughts, that makes all the difference.

Just move, rejuvenate yourself, and then STAND and present. Let’s all strike a power pose!