Powerful Alpha Male Body Language

The way you communicate with other people has a tremendous impact on the level of your success. You’re always communicating your thoughts, perceptions and ideas to other people—whether you realize it or not.

The alpha male is extremely aware that he communicates to the world chiefly through his body language, facial expressions, eye movements and voice quality—studies have shown up to 93 percent—not the words he uses.

Your words alone will never make you an effective communicator or leader. If you have great ideas and opinions—but just can’t get other people to go along with them—you may be neutralizing your powerful words with body language that lacks confidence.

Now is the time to take control of the way you present yourself to the world. Here are some key things that a poised, confident and powerful alpha male does—and does not do—when he is standing:

• He takes up as much space as humanly possible.

• His feet are shoulder width apart or slightly wider.

• His torso is straight up (his butt isn’t tucked in or pushed out).

• His shoulders are upright, back and relaxed.

• His neck is strong and powerful—yet loose—and is stretched as high as possible.

• His head is always held high (as if there’s a string in the middle of his head pulling it to the ceiling).

• His head will always follow his eyes. His eyes are looking straight ahead or higher (never looking down).

• He doesn’t sway back and forth.

• He doesn’t lean to one side or the other.

• He doesn’t cross his arms.

• He doesn’t put his hands in his pockets.

• He doesn’t hold anything in front of himself (as if he is protecting himself).

• He always exposes three important areas of his body—his chest, throat and crotch—meaning he doesn’t hold his hands in front of them.

• Having his hands behind his back when standing displays ultimate power.

• Whenever he can stand with his back against the wall and face out to the room—he does it.

To display powerful body language when standing, remember the phrase, “Stand tall, stand proud, stand alpha!” Here are some key actions that a poised, confident and powerful alpha male does—and does not do—when he’s walking:

• He walks in a slow and controlled rhythm.

• He always strides on his own timetable.

• His strides are long—not short and choppy.

• His torso is straight up (his butt isn’t tucked in or pushed out).

• His shoulders are upright, back and relaxed.

• His head points straight ahead—and never swivels around.

• His eyes are focused on the place he’s going—never darting around.

• His chin is up.

Here are some key things that a poised, confident and powerful alpha male does—and does not do—when he’s sitting:

• He takes up as much space as humanly possible.

• His torso is straight up (his butt isn’t tucked in or pushed out).

• His shoulders are upright, back and relaxed.

• His neck is strong and powerful—yet loose—and is stretched as high as possible.

• His head is always held high (as if there’s a string in the middle of his head pulling it to the ceiling).

• His chin is up.

• His head will always follow his eyes. His eyes are level or higher (never looking down).

• His head is pointed straight ahead—and never swivels around.

• His eyes are forward—never darting around.

• He does not sway back and forth.

• He doesn’t lean to one side or the other.

• His feet are shoulder width apart or slightly wider.

• If he does cross his legs, they are relaxed and send a message. It’s a deliberate power play that shows minimal interest. He expects the people he’s with to earn his approval, acceptance or validation.

• He doesn’t cross his arms (unless he’s intentionally sending a message).

• He does not put his hands in his pockets.

• He does not hold anything in front of him (which gives the impression he is “protecting” himself).

• He doesn’t hold his hands in front of three important areas of his body: throat, heart and crotch.

• Having his arms spread out wide displays ultimate power.

• Whenever he can sit with his back against the wall, his face out to the room—he does it.

To display powerful body language when sitting, remember the phrase, “Sit tall, sit proudly, sit like an alpha male!”

You will get better and better at presenting powerful body language the more you practice and exercise.

Don’t try to turn these body language habits on and off when you think you need them. Keep them on all the time. The more you practice and exercise these skills, the sooner you’ll integrate them into your own personality—and have them forever.

Editor’s note: Six-time national-champion bodybuilder and success coach Skip La Cour is the creator of MANformation, a powerful personal-development and fitness program for men that’s based on the qualities and actions of the world’s most powerful, influential and charismatic men. It is a structured series of alpha leadership strategies for transforming you into the man you really want to be. It doesn’t matter where you are in your life right now, what you have achieved so far or your age. The MANformation program will help you become a better version of you—step-by-step and one strategy at a time. To learn more, visit www.MANformation.com. Sign up for the free weekly e-newsletter, and you’ll get a free alpha leadership e-book.