Summary of Amy Cuddy's Presence

Have you ever bombed a job interview or fumbled an “elevator pitch”? Based on a number of social psychology studies, Summary of Amy Cuddy's Presence is a book by Harvard Business School professor Amy Cuddy that encourages people to stop worrying about the impression they make on others and instead use simple tools like body language to change the way they feel about themselves. Presence shows how, by accessing one’s personal power, an individual can become bolder and more confident in challenging situations like job interviews, business pitches, or even relationship breakups.

Achieving presence occurs when people stop focusing on what others think of them and instead focus on the changes they are making in themselves. While understanding this presence can certainly help in public speaking and presentations, someone with a presence that communicates quiet confidence might also be viewed as a better listener, which is a key attribute in any organization...