Posture determines the subtext; the way he or she walks, sits, or
moves gives the other clues. ,
An upright body sends a subtext of competence, pride, and
assurance. Slumped over, the shoulders slack, the subtext is vulner-
ability, which, in most people's minds, is linked to uncertainty
and uneasiness.
In one of my jobs, I worked with a senior executive who was
in her seventies, successfully resisting retirement. When I went
with her to a business meeting, I had to remind myself that she
was not a young woman.
There were two subtextual reasons for the youthful impression
she gave. She wore clothes that helped conceal her age—a long-
sleeved dress with a high neck—and she fought against gray hair
with a clever coloring job. She dressed in the best of taste, stylish
and chic.
The real deception, however, lay in her posture. She moved
like a young woman. She rose and sat effortlessly with none of
the groaning or creaking of age. She sat erect and transmitted a
regal quality with her back and shoulders—and, best of all, her
voice was easy and youthful.
It was a triumph of body language, image projection, and pos-
ture over age. There is a lesson here for aging executives who
want to send out a subtext of youth and vigor. Dyeing the hair to
keep its natural color and plastic surgery to disguise jowls and
wattles all help, but in both men and women the key to appearing
youthful is posture and voice. Speaking firmly without hesita-
tion sends a forceful message. Moving easily, not cautiously,
standing and sitting upright, and getting up and sitting down with
ease all contribute to a younger subtext, a subtext of vigor and
strength.
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