From Manspreading to Mirroring: Body Language That Builds Trust with Female Clients

That power pose (aka manspreading) you learned in business school? It's costing you female clients.

While taking up space might work in boardrooms full of men, it reads as dominance and intimidation to many women. Time to recalibrate.

I watched an advisor lose a big rollover because he spent the entire meeting leaning back with his hands behind his head while she leaned forward asking detailed questions. 

His body language screamed "I'm the expert and must be listened to," while hers showed "I'm ready for a partnership."

They were speaking two different physical languages.

Instead of power positioning, try mirroring. If she leans in with interest, you lean in too. If she's sitting upright and engaged, match that energy. If she's taking notes, pause to let her finish. This isn't manipulation. It's attunement.

Avoid: sprawling across chairs, interrupting gestures, checking devices, turning your back while explaining charts, or positioning yourself higher than her (standing while she sits).

Do: maintain open posture, use inclusive hand gestures, position charts where you can both see them easily, keep consistent but non-intense eye contact, and create physical space for her materials and notes.

The goal is collaborative energy, not authoritative presence. Women want financial partners, not financial parents. Your body language should say "we're figuring this out together," not "I know better than you."

Small shifts in how you physically show up can completely transform how women experience working with you.