7 body language hacks that project self-assurance and confidence in any situation

Confidence isn’t just about what you say—it’s about how you carry yourself.

We’ve all been in situations where we want to come across as self-assured, whether it’s a big meeting, a networking event, or even just a casual conversation.

But here’s the thing—confidence isn’t something you’re born with or without. It’s something you can project, and body language is one of the most powerful ways to do it.

A lot of people assume confidence has to be loud, bold, or over-the-top. But real self-assurance is often subtle—it’s in the way you stand, the way you move, and even the way you make eye contact.

The good news? These are all things you can tweak and improve.

So if you want to exude confidence naturally in any situation, here are seven simple body language hacks that can help.

1) Maintain strong (but natural) eye contact

Eye contact is one of the quickest ways to show confidence. When you look someone in the eye while speaking or listening, it signals that you’re engaged, self-assured, and comfortable in the moment.

But there’s a balance to strike. Staring too intensely can feel aggressive, while avoiding eye contact completely can make you seem unsure or distracted. The key is to keep it natural—hold eye contact for a few seconds at a time, then glance away briefly before returning.

If maintaining eye contact feels uncomfortable, try focusing on the space between a person’s eyes or their eyebrows. It creates the same effect without the pressure.

Strong eye contact makes people take you more seriously, helps build trust, and instantly boosts your presence in any conversation.

2) Stand (or sit) with purpose

The way you hold yourself speaks volumes before you even say a word. Standing or sitting with purpose—back straight, shoulders relaxed, and feet firmly planted—instantly makes you look more confident and in control.

I learned this the hard way during one of my first big business meetings. I was nervous, so I slouched in my chair, crossed my arms, and kept shifting in my seat. Halfway through, I realized no one seemed to be taking me seriously.

After that experience, I made a conscious effort to sit up straight, keep my hands visible, and take up space instead of shrinking into myself. The difference was immediate—people listened more attentively, and I felt more confident just by adjusting my posture.

Your body language doesn’t just change how others see you—it changes how you see yourself. So next time you walk into a room, stand tall and own your space.

3) Stop fidgeting

I used to have a habit of tapping my foot whenever I was in a stressful situation. I didn’t even realize I was doing it until someone pointed it out.

Once I became aware of it, I started noticing all the other little nervous habits—playing with my pen, adjusting my sleeves, shifting my weight from side to side.

Fidgeting sends a clear message: you’re uncomfortable, anxious, or unsure of yourself. And whether you realize it or not, people pick up on it.

Breaking the habit takes practice. The first step is awareness—start paying attention to what you do when you’re nervous. Then, replace those movements with controlled, intentional actions.

Keep your hands still, plant your feet firmly on the ground, and take slow, deliberate breaths.

Confidence isn’t just about looking calm—it’s about feeling in control of yourself. And sometimes, that starts with simply keeping still.

4) Use deliberate hand gestures

Your hands can either reinforce your confidence or betray your nerves. When used intentionally, hand gestures add emphasis to your words, make you more engaging, and help you appear more self-assured.

Think about great speakers—they don’t keep their hands stuffed in their pockets or nervously fidgeting. They use purposeful gestures to highlight key points, signal openness, or create a sense of authority.

The trick is to keep movements controlled and natural. Avoid over-exaggerated gestures that feel forced, and don’t overuse them to the point of distraction.

Simple actions—like spreading your hands when making a point or using subtle movements to guide a conversation—can make a big difference.

When your words and gestures align, you project confidence without even trying.

5) Take up space

People who lack confidence tend to shrink themselves—crossing their arms, hunching their shoulders, or keeping their movements small.

Confident people, on the other hand, naturally take up space. They stand tall, spread their shoulders, and move with ease.

This isn’t just a perception thing; it actually affects your body chemistry.

Studies have shown that adopting “power poses” for just two minutes can increase testosterone (linked to confidence) and decrease cortisol (linked to stress). In other words, your posture doesn’t just influence how others see you—it influences how you feel about yourself.

So next time you’re in a high-stakes situation, resist the urge to shrink. Stand or sit with an open posture, keep your arms relaxed at your sides or on the table, and own your personal space.

Confidence isn’t about being the loudest person in the room—it’s about showing through your presence that you belong there.

6) Nod with intention

Confidence isn’t just about how you present yourself—it’s also about how you make others feel. One of the simplest ways to show you’re engaged and in control of a conversation is by nodding with intention.

A well-timed nod signals that you’re listening, that you understand, and that you value the other person’s input. It encourages connection and makes people feel heard.

But the key is to be intentional—too much nodding can come across as nervous or overly eager to please.

When someone speaks, try a slow, deliberate nod to acknowledge their words. It reassures them without interrupting, and it subtly reinforces your presence in the conversation.

Confidence isn’t just about projecting strength—it’s about making others feel comfortable in your presence. And sometimes, a simple nod can do just that.

7) Slow down

Rushed movements, fast speech, and nervous pacing all make you seem uncertain—even if you don’t feel that way. Confident people move, speak, and react at their own pace.

Take a beat before responding in conversations. Walk with steady, controlled steps. Move with purpose instead of urgency.

When you slow down, you show that you’re comfortable in the moment—and that kind of presence commands attention.

The bottom line

Confidence isn’t about being the loudest person in the room or never feeling nervous. It’s about how you carry yourself, how you hold space, and how you make others feel in your presence.

Body language plays a powerful role in shaping not just how others perceive you, but how you perceive yourself. Small shifts—standing tall, making eye contact, controlling your movements—can rewire the way you feel in any situation.

It won’t happen overnight. But with awareness and practice, these habits become second nature. And when they do, confidence stops being something you have to project—it becomes something you truly embody.