In every conversation you have ever had, your audience has closely monitored you for subtle cues about whether they should take you and your message seriously.
By now we all know how our body language affects how others perceive us.
What is often overlooked is how our bodies themselves play a critical role in conveying credibility. More specifically, many fail to realize how our audiences are constantly measuring our bodies against implicit standards of authenticity.
Surpassing, or deftly subverting, these standards is a powerful tool for distinguishing yourself from your peers, whereas running afoul of them is a surefire way of diminishing your credibility.
The past days have given us two apt examples of each. Below, we explore lessons leaders can derive from Pamela Anderson’s makeup-free appearance at Paris Fashion Week and the speculation surrounding Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ height-increasing footwear
Standing Up To Standards
The reaction to Pamela Anderson’s makeup-free appearance provides profound insight into both societal perceptions and the power of challenging implicit standards that others attach to authenticity and our bodies.
Her decision to appear makeup-free, especially at an event as high-profile as Paris Fashion Week, directly challenged the entrenched beauty standards of the entertainment and fashion industries.
By doing so, she distinguished herself from the standard-obeying masses and gained an aura of a bold thought leader for whom authenticity is more important than adhering to conventional expectations.
The positive response to her natural look betrays an audience that has been yearning for something real. For those paying attention, the intensely positive reactions suggest that people are increasingly valuing genuine self-expression over curated or manufactured images, especially in an age dominated by filtered social media portrayals.
The key takeaway for leaders is simple: don’t be afraid of challenging societal standards that are stuck in the past. Instead, start leading by example, specifically in areas where others are still projecting inauthentic images of leadership.
For example, leaders who confess to valuing restful mornings over the 5am grind and CEOs who candidly share their internal conflicts and insecurities can create more profound connections with contemporary audiences than those who are stuck projecting age-old ideals of flawless leadership.
The Importance Of Staying True To Yourself
The speculation around DeSantis’ alleged use of elevator shoes serves as a powerful reminder of how authenticity is the key currency for leaders.
Perception is often as good as reality, and the mere hint that DeSantis is not forthright about his height is enough to shift the narrative from his message to him and his credibility.
Pamela Anderson’s decision to go make-up free was applauded because she openly stood up against a standard that she signaled as stale and sexist.
Ron DeSantis’ choice to wear elevator shoes is met with derision because he is covertly exploiting our innate biases that conflate height with competence.
Now, whether we should reconsider the implicit standards concerning male height is a perfectly valid question to ask. Indeed, one might wonder if DeSantis would have received a more positive response if his choice of footwear was pitched as an open confrontation with ‘heightism’.
What is clear, however, is that whenever a leader is seen as trying to artificially enhance a part of themselves, questions about their credibility and integrity will follow,
Authenticity, on the other hand, fosters trust – a foundational element of effective leadership.
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