Show Your Strength as a Leader Competence can be established by virtue of the position you hold, your reputation, and your actual performance. But your presence matters too. If you want people to see you as a strong leader, do the following three things: Feel in command. If you see yourself as an impostor, others will, too. Instead, believe in your abilities and you'll project confidence, enthusiasm, and passion. Stand up straight. Good posture does not mean the exaggerated chest-out pose known in the military as "standing at attention," or raising one's chin up high. It just means reaching your full height, using your muscles to straighten the S-curve in your spine. Get ahold of yourself. Twitching and fidgeting sends the signal that you're not in control. Stillness demonstrates calm. Adapted from "Connect, Then Lead," by Amy J.C. Cuddy, Matthew Kohut, and John Neffinger.