Influence Isn’t What You Say—It’s What They Feel Watching You

You can have the best words in the room— But if your body contradicts them, no one’s listening.

People don’t follow your message. They follow your alignment.

Or as I’ve come to believe:

“Influence is congruence—when your body, beliefs, and behavior match.”

Because when they don’t? Your words become noise. Your presence becomes static. And your leadership becomes hollow.

Leadership Isn’t Logical. 

You don’t inspire others just by saying the right thing. You inspire them when your energy feels trustworthy.

That’s emotional contagion—a brain-based phenomenon where your state becomes their state.

• If you’re anxious, they feel it.

• If you’re fake, they sense it.

• If you’re aligned? They follow you without even knowing why.

Mirror neurons in the brain track emotional tone faster than conscious awareness. We don’t just read people. We absorb them.

Your Posture Is the Billboard of Your Beliefs

If your spine is collapsed, what belief are you signaling?

“I don’t belong.” “I hope they like me.” “I’m just trying to get through this.”

Now imagine standing tall—not puffed up, not performative. Just anchored.

That posture doesn’t say “I’m better.” It says “I’m clear.”

And clarity is magnetic.

You don’t need to dominate the room. You need to align within yourself.

Because your body is either an extension of your truth—or a defense against it.

Your Body Knows First

In coaching, we ask:

“If your body is uncertain, how certain can your leadership really be?”

Here’s the truth: Your nervous system doesn’t lie. If your heart rate spikes before you speak, if you fidget when questioned, if your voice trembles when challenged—it’s not weakness.

It’s a signal.

A signal that your internal world and external actions are out of sync.

And the world feels that before it hears anything else.

Try This: A Silent Leadership Test

Record yourself presenting silently. No words. Just posture, presence, pacing.

Then ask:

• Would I follow this person?

• Does this energy feel clear or performative?

• Does my body reflect trust—or tension?

Most people are shocked by what they see.

Because we’re taught to fix our message— But rarely taught to align our presence.

What You Radiate Is What They Remember

Leadership is not an act. It’s a state.

It’s not about getting louder, tougher, or more articulate. It’s about becoming congruent.

People don’t remember your pitch. They remember how they felt in your presence.

And presence begins with posture, not paragraphs.

If you’re tired of trying to influence through effort— And you’re ready to influence through alignment—

Let’s talk.

At Growth Myndset Initiative, we coach leaders to stop performing and start embodying.

Because influence isn’t what you say. It’s who you are before you speak.