it hard to make that switch from anxious to calm. But what our
bodies and brains can do is change a negative high-arousal
emotion into a positive high-arousal emotion. So, the next time
you’re feeling anxious, rather than tell yourself to calm down, say
to yourself that you’re excited. Research has shown that this is
very effective.
P: How do the methods you lay out in Presence help
people become better leaders?
C: When we are present – that is, when we are bringing our
authentic best self to interactions with other people – we are
liberating them to be present, as well. So as leaders, we should
want to bring out the best in those who work with and for us.
If we’re distracted, we simply can’t do that. People can’t be
present and authentic with a leader who isn’t present and
authentic with us. So when you are present and engaged it
makes it much easier for others to reciprocate and that creates
value for everyone.
P: In addition to being a social psychologist and a
professor at Harvard Business School, you are also a
classically trained ballet dancer. How does ballet
influence your work?
C: Ballet and all forms of dance are really all about communi-
cation through body language. Without words, any audience
can watch dance and infer the story. In a way, dance is the
most evolved form of body language.
P: Your book includes stories of people who saw your
TED Talk and changed their lives. Do you have a
favorite of these stories, and if so can you describe it?
C: I have countless favorites so I will just share one and this is
something that someone actually told me today. A woman who
had been the victim of domestic violence for a long time and who
had left that abusive relationship was trying to start from scratch
in a new country. She told me that the lessons that she took from
both my book and talks, she applies every day and, as she
explains it, “they give me the confidence to believe that I deserve
to have a better life and to make that happen.” This woman now
shares her own story with others and told me that recently
another domestic abuse survivor came to her and said, “I keep
your picture on my desk as inspiration.” n
LET’S GET PERSONAL
Favorite power pose: Vintage wonder
woman—it’s classic.
Greatest role model: My greatest
role model is also one of my
closest friends, Susan Cain. She
thinks and cares so deeply and
she doesn’t buy into rushing to
get things done. She takes the time
she needs to do them with love and do
them well and at the same time, she
never forgets the people she loves.
You have a random day off, what
do you do? Whether it’s a work
day or not, I rarely start my day
without sharing a cup of coffee
with my husband, who hand grinds
and makes a cup for me every
morning. I would never give that up.
After that, if I could be anywhere in the world, I would
either be hiking or skiing in the mountains… probably
in Colorado with my family.
Favorite spa treatment:
HydraFacial!
Most interesting place ever
visited: The most interesting is
Lofoten, a Norwegian island
above the Arctic Circle. It is
beyond description: it is stunning,
the people are wonderful and open,
and it’s unlike any other place I’ve been.
WATCH CUDDY IN ACTION Click here
to watch her TED Talk. We dare you not to
be inspired.
2017 ISPA
CONFERENCE & EXPO
Be Present. Don’t miss Cuddy at the
OPENING GENERAL SESSION H MONDAY, OCT. 16
9:30 – 11 a.m.
August 2017
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