Influence Quote by Amy Cuddy
“Trust comes before strength, and it becomes a conduit of influence. Your strength is a little bit threatening before people trust you.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: TED Talk “Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are”, 2012
Trust is the foundation that transforms personal power into influence, while perceived threat can hinder that trust.
In simple terms: Trust turns power into influence.
Build trust before asserting strength.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- leadership
- team building
- negotiations
- public speaking
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you demonstrate trustworthiness before showing strength?
- What signals reduce perceived threat?
If others feel threatened, trust erodes quickly.