--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: subtler ways, powerful people may show…" description: "\"“subtler ways, powerful people may show their ability to come and go by leaning back during a meeting and putting their hands behind their heads to sho..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ccb/nick-morgan-13265_powerful_subtler-ways-powerful-people-may-show-th_727191.png" --- # subtler ways, powerful people may show their ability to… ![“subtler ways, powerful people may show their ability to come and go by leaning back during a meeting and putting their hands behind their heads to show temporary withdrawal or superiority over everyone else. It’s arrogant but effective. You will know when you are in the presence of someone who…” quote by Nick Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ccb/nick-morgan-13265_powerful_subtler-ways-powerful-people-may-show-th_727191.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ccb/nick-morgan-13265_powerful_subtler-ways-powerful-people-may-show-th_727191.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ccb/nick-morgan-13265_powerful_subtler-ways-powerful-people-may-show-th_727191.png) > ““subtler ways, powerful people may show their ability to come and go by leaning back during a meeting and putting their hands behind their heads to show temporary withdrawal or superiority over everyone else. It’s arrogant but effective. You will know when you are in the presence of someone who believes she is powerful because of the signals I’ve described as well as others, such as your own tendency to be obeisant in front of the person.”” [Nick Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-morgan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Powerful individuals use subtle body language, like leaning back and hands behind head, to signal dominance and control. **In simple terms:** They show power by relaxed, confident posture. Key Takeaway Observe body cues to gauge hidden power. Themes power body language dominance Mood analytical critical Type professional psychological When to use this quote - meetings - leadership - negotiations - team dynamics Key Concepts nonverbal communication psychology Questions to Reflect On - How do you respond when someone uses these signals? - What alternatives exist for asserting authority without arrogance? A Different Perspective Such displays can alienate others and create resentment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Powerful people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/powerful-people/) ## Related quotes > [“But there are many ways to be powerful. There is power in stillness. There is power in watching, waiting, saying the right thing at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiersten-white/but-there-are-many-ways-to-be-powerful-there-is-power-in-stillness/) [Kiersten White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiersten-white/) > [“Powerful people talk differently than weaker people, interrupting more, taking more conversational time, and using longer pauses. They get to control the tempo of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-morgan/powerful-people-talk-differently-than-weaker-people-interrupting-more/) [Nick Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-morgan/) > [“Powerful people sometimes do things to help people like me without really understanding people like me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-vance/powerful-people-sometimes-do-things-to-help-people-like-me-without/) [J.D. Vance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-vance/) > [Even the most powerful people at a given point in terms of class, will all play by the same rules.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorne-michaels/even-the-most-powerful-people-at-a-given-point-in-terms-of-class-will/) [Lorne Michaels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorne-michaels/) > [If you give up on politics, you're giving up on democracy. And if you give up on democracy, you're basically saying to the moneyed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-reich/if-you-give-up-on-politics-you-re-giving-up-on-democracy-and-if-you/) [Robert Reich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-reich/) > [“Can you imagine charging one of the most powerful people in the country with treason and those around him with fraud and corruption?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-pauw/can-you-imagine-charging-one-of-the-most-powerful-people-in-the/) [Jacques Pauw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-pauw/) > [“The last thing I ever wanted was to be alive when the three most powerful people on the whole planet would be named Bush,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut/the-last-thing-i-ever-wanted-was-to-be-alive-when-the-three-most/) [Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut/) > [“If you wish to succeed as a leader, you should be capable of transforming the souls of people, which control their intellect, mind and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/awdhesh-singh/if-you-wish-to-succeed-as-a-leader-you-should-be-capable-of/) [Awdhesh Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/awdhesh-singh/) > [When you are trying to impress people with words, the more you say, the more common you appear, and the less in control. Even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/when-you-are-trying-to-impress-people-with-words-the-more-you-say-the-2/) [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) > [“As children, because of our dependency, we experience a sense of being powerless in a world of powerful people. If our home environments are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-forward/as-children-because-of-our-dependency-we-experience-a-sense-of-being/) [Susan Forward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-forward/) > [“Do not expect me to fly at the capacity of your height”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-p-s-jagadeesh-kumar/do-not-expect-me-to-fly-at-the-capacity-of-your-height/) [Dr.P.S. Jagadeesh Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-p-s-jagadeesh-kumar/) > [Politicians live in mortal terror of ever saying they are sorry about anything, because that would suggest they have been wrong. It is often…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katty-kay/politicians-live-in-mortal-terror-of-ever-saying-they-are-sorry-about/) [Katty Kay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katty-kay/) > [In order to be able to make and keep commitments... to enduring, intimate relationships... you need to be a certain kind of person. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-silk/in-order-to-be-able-to-make-and-keep-commitments-to-enduring-intimate/) [Danny Silk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-silk/) > [As a former prosecutor, I understand the importance of holding powerful people accountable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamala-harris/as-a-former-prosecutor-i-understand-the-importance-of-holding/) [Kamala Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamala-harris/) > [People who build hope into their own lives and who share hope with others become powerful people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/people-who-build-hope-into-their-own-lives-and-who-share-hope-with/) [Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/) ## More by Nick Morgan > [You can strengthen your leadership voice by finding what I call its Maximum Resonance Point and learning to pitch your voice there. That gives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-morgan/you-can-strengthen-your-leadership-voice-by-finding-what-i-call-its/) [Nick Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-morgan/) > [“The sixth power cue shows you how to use the power of your unconscious mind to make decisions, rid yourself of phobias and fears,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-morgan/the-sixth-power-cue-shows-you-how-to-use-the-power-of-your/) [Nick Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-morgan/) > [“The first power cue is all about self-awareness. How do you show up when you walk into a room?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-morgan/the-first-power-cue-is-all-about-self-awareness-how-do-you-show-up/) [Nick Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-morgan/) > [The key is to become aware of how you are signaling your presence in meetings, conversations, speeches - everywhere you show up. Then you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-morgan/the-key-is-to-become-aware-of-how-you-are-signaling-your-presence-in/) [Nick Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-morgan/) > [The person in power takes up the most space.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-morgan/the-person-in-power-takes-up-the-most-space/) [Nick Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-morgan/) > [The world is a very big place and there are many wonderful people in with ideas you haven't thought about. Talk to them, find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-morgan/the-world-is-a-very-big-place-and-there-are-many-wonderful-people-in/) [Nick Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-morgan/) > [We are communal beings who love to get together in groups and share emotions - like sporting events, rock concerts and political rallies. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-morgan/we-are-communal-beings-who-love-to-get-together-in-groups-and-share/) [Nick Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-morgan/) > [We have a Marlboro Man Theory of leadership and change, especially in America, but in fact anything great that's accomplished is accomplished by many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-morgan/we-have-a-marlboro-man-theory-of-leadership-and-change-especially-in/) [Nick Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-morgan/) > [If you adopt the body language of a power player, it will greatly facilitate your ability to be a power player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-morgan/if-you-adopt-the-body-language-of-a-power-player-it-will-greatly/) [Nick Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-morgan/) > [“Finally, the seventh power cue helps you put it all together to become a master storyteller who actually synchronizes brain waves with your listeners…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-morgan/finally-the-seventh-power-cue-helps-you-put-it-all-together-to-become/) [Nick Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-morgan/) > [“The third power cue helps you learn to read others’ unconscious messages. What unconscious messages are you receiving from others?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-morgan/the-third-power-cue-helps-you-learn-to-read-others-unconscious/) [Nick Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-morgan/) > [Speakers find joy in public speaking when they realize that a speech is all about the audience, not the speaker. Most speakers are so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-morgan/speakers-find-joy-in-public-speaking-when-they-realize-that-a-speech/) [Nick Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-morgan/) > [The questionnaire is a simple first step toward becoming more self-aware.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-morgan/the-questionnaire-is-a-simple-first-step-toward-becoming-more-self/) [Nick Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-morgan/) > [“With the fourth power cue, on the mysteries of the human voice, you will turn your voice into a commanding instrument for taking charge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-morgan/with-the-fourth-power-cue-on-the-mysteries-of-the-human-voice-you/) [Nick Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-morgan/) > [You have to learn to trust - and listen to - your unconscious mind. If you pose the question to your unconscious "is this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-morgan/you-have-to-learn-to-trust-and-listen-to-your-unconscious-mind-if-you/) [Nick Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-morgan/) [Explore all 51 Nick Morgan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-morgan/) ## More Powerful quotes > [Self-respect and a clear conscience are powerful components of integrity and are the basis for enriching your relationships with others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/self-respect-and-a-clear-conscience-are-powerful-components-of/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [Sentiment is the mightiest force in civilization; not sentimentality, but sentiment. Women will bring this into politics. Home, sweet home, is as powerful on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-ellen-foster/sentiment-is-the-mightiest-force-in-civilization-not-sentimentality/) [Judith Ellen Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-ellen-foster/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [There are places that are very draining. There are places where there is another dimensional crossover but to a dimension that is not powerful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/there-are-places-that-are-very-draining-there-are-places-where-there/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [I used a psychologist when I was playing, It's one of the most powerful things: how you can have a concrete head and not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-parker/i-used-a-psychologist-when-i-was-playing-it-s-one-of-the-most/) [Scott Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-parker/) > [The corporate state is an immensely powerful machine, ordered, legalistic, rational, yet utterly out of human control, wholly and perfectly indifferent to any human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-a-reich/the-corporate-state-is-an-immensely-powerful-machine-ordered/) [Charles A. Reich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-a-reich/) > [I really enjoy making people laugh; I've discovered that's a great technique. That's as powerful as stirring their sorrow, stirring their compassion, because that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/i-really-enjoy-making-people-laugh-i-ve-discovered-that-s-a-great/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [Today it is the skeptics who are the social conformists, though because of powerful intellectual propaganda they continue to enjoy thinking of themselves as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/today-it-is-the-skeptics-who-are-the-social-conformists-though/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [We must love animals in such a powerful way that we should reject to eat them!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/we-must-love-animals-in-such-a-powerful-way-that-we-should-reject-to/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/) [Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/) > [ There was another reason \[she\] took her books whenever they went away. They were her home when she was somewhere strange. They were familiar… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornelia-funke/there-was-another-reason-she-took-her-books-whenever-they-went-away/) [Cornelia Funke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornelia-funke/) > [A man is powerful on his knees.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/a-man-is-powerful-on-his-knees/) [Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/) > [Conservatives, despite their increasingly powerful presence on cable TV and talk radio, feel excluded and disregarded by the longstanding preponderance of liberal voices on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-medved/conservatives-despite-their-increasingly-powerful-presence-on-cable/) [Michael Medved](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-medved/) > [There could be no more powerful argument against mixing religion and government than the success of independent African American churches in placing racial segregation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jacoby/there-could-be-no-more-powerful-argument-against-mixing-religion-and/) [Susan Jacoby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jacoby/) > [O thou that pinest in the imprisonment of the Actual, and criest bitterly to the gods for a kingdom wherein to rule and create,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-carlyle/o-thou-that-pinest-in-the-imprisonment-of-the-actual-and-criest/) [Thomas Carlyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-carlyle/) Browse all 8,809 Powerful quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“subtler ways, powerful people may show their ability to come and go by leaning back during a meeting and putting their hands behind their heads to show temporary withdrawal or superiority over everyone else. It’s arrogant but effective. You will know when you are in the presence of someone who believes she is powerful because of the signals I’ve described as well as others, such as your own tendency to be obeisant in front of the person.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Nick Morgan" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-morgan/subtler-ways-powerful-people-may-show-their-ability-to-come-and-go-by/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Powerful" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-morgan/subtler-ways-powerful-people-may-show-their-ability-to-come-and-go-by/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ccb/nick-morgan-13265_powerful_subtler-ways-powerful-people-may-show-th_727191.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ccb/nick-morgan-13265_powerful_subtler-ways-powerful-people-may-show-th_727191.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ccb/nick-morgan-13265_powerful_subtler-ways-powerful-people-may-show-th_727191.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“subtler ways, powerful people may show their ability to come and go by leaning back during a meeting and…” — Nick Morgan", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Nick Morgan", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-morgan/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“subtler ways, powerful people may show...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-morgan/subtler-ways-powerful-people-may-show-their-ability-to-come-and-go-by/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-morgan/subtler-ways-powerful-people-may-show-their-ability-to-come-and-go-by/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```