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Modern-day leadership: powerful presence - women can do this too

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Women are meant to be leaders. We have incredible intuition, knowledge about the world, compassion, organizational skills; and we are intelligent and innovative. When we become moms, we add phenomenal multi-tasking to our leadership skills list, as we manage get things done and make everyone around us happy. However, many of us end up not tapping into our natural leadership potential. In order to help our natural leadership shine through, we came up with some powerful presence techniques.

Posture

When I think of a leader, I immediately imagine a powerful stance. We subconsciously read other people and normally make an impression in less than seven seconds, according to the Initial Interaction Theory developed by Berger and Calabrese in 1975. Open upright position signals confidence and openness to the world. These are very attractive qualities that humas are drawn towards. On the contrary, slouching typically means that a person is afraid to take space and doesn’t feel secure, which is typically not the type of a leader you will follow. Unfortunately, many women tend to play down and make themselves smaller and slouch. However, standing up straight in an upright position can make a world of difference to how we are being perceived. And if we want to be perceived as leaders, we need to keep our posture upright.

Knowing your shortcut to happy vibes ✨

I’ve always thought that leaders have some magical power, until I realized that all of us could cultivate these powers. For that we need to find a recipe of invoking our inner magic. Mantras work very well for some people, others use power songs (we’ve got a power songs playlist for you) and my personal favorite is power dressing.

We are used to think of power dressing as something that political figures do. According to Fashionista, the iron lady Margaret Thatcher “stuck almost exclusively to a signature ensemble throughout her life: a 'power' skirt suit with exaggerated shoulders (often in blue, her party's color), pearl necklace, pussy-bow blouse, and that notorious Asprey handbag. For the former PM, these items were more than just fashion; they were her armor.” In Etalon’s world power dressing isn’t about putting a iron lady outfit on, but wearing something that makes you feel in love with yourself. It can be your old jeans that help you feel amazing or a lucky red backpack as Sarah Blakely has. It’s all about knowing your shortcut to happiness as it gives us boosts of optimism and confidence that are so important for true leaders.

Body language and inner power can elevate our leadership game! Think of Oprah or Michelle Obama that have both immaculate posture and a tremendous inner power within. We can look up to them. We can learn to stand up straight for ourselves and others, instead of hiding ourselves and closing our hearts from the world.

 

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And what are you powerful presence techniques that elevated your leadership game? Please share with us, we learn so much from our community.

Etalon posture correcting bra is a Posture Apparel that is designed, sustainably manufactured and widely loved in California. Our mission is to elevate everyone’s alignment with themselves and the world around them.

 

Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash

FAQs

Why is posture so important for leadership presence?

Posture communicates confidence, security, and openness. Standing upright in a powerful stance makes others perceive you as a capable and trustworthy leader, while slouching can signal insecurity or lack of confidence

How quickly do people form impressions about leaders?

According to the Initial Interaction Theory by Berger and Calabrese, impressions are often made in less than seven seconds. That’s why strong posture and body language are crucial in leadership settings.

What is “power dressing,” and how does it affect leadership?

Power dressing isn’t about wearing rigid outfits—it’s about wearing clothes or accessories that make you feel confident and in love with yourself. Whether it’s a favorite pair of jeans or a lucky item, power dressing boosts confidence and radiates leadership energy.

Can mantras or music really enhance leadership presence?

Yes. Tools like mantras, affirmations, or even a personal playlist of power songs can help you channel positive energy, build inner confidence, and project a strong leadership presence.

Who are some examples of leaders with powerful presence?

Public figures like Oprah and Michelle Obama embody the combination of impeccable posture and inner strength. They show how body language and personal power can inspire and elevate others.

Why do many women hold back their natural leadership potential?

Cultural and social influences often encourage women to play down their presence—sometimes even physically by slouching or taking up less space. Recognizing and reversing these habits helps women tap into their natural leadership abilities.

How does Etalon support leadership through posture?

Etalon designs posture apparel that helps people maintain upright alignment comfortably, supporting both physical confidence and a stronger leadership presence.

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