'Power posing' is a sham. Time to redefine what strength looks like | Jean Hannah Edelstein

A study debunked the idea that puffing yourself up physically to increase confidence works. Let's stop prizing masculinity in power and leadership

Given the election night coup of a certain blustering, overly confident egomaniac, it might seem like channeling a very masculine idea of success is a good way to get ahead. After all, Donald Trump lurked menacingly over Hillary Clinton on the debate stage, blustered and bragged, and he triumphed. It seems a smart strategy to emulate aggressive masculine behavior if planning a power grab.

But writing in the journal Hormones and Behavior, two researchers undermined previous findings that standing in a "power pose" - that is "broad posture, hands on hips, shoulders high and pushed back", or what I would describe as "in the manner of a blustering, bigoted kleptocrat" - has no measurable effect on feelings of emotional or physical strength.