Vanessa Van EdwardsScience of People, Science Of People · Behavioral Researcher, Founder, Author, Harvard Instructor

This Move Shows Instant Interest I @jeffersonfisher

30 Apr 2026 · 1 min

Watch on YouTube

0:40

In this short clip, Vanessa Van Edwards explains the communicative power of the "lean in" body‑language cue. She describes a lean as a signal that the speaker wants to get closer to the listener and that the listener may reciprocate. Van Edwards shows how speakers can deliberately lean forward to bold or emphasize statements on podcasts or on stage, using the gesture to outline the most important parts of their content. By physically leaning in at key moments, presenters lower the audience’s cognitive load, instantly cueing listeners to pay attention, take notes, and prioritize the highlighted point.

Chapters

A lean in is a cue that shows you want to get closer, and also the other person might want to lean in as well. And so, for example, even on this podcast, if I'm saying something that I really believe in, I might use a lean as a way to bold or emphasize what I'm saying. If someone else says something that I really agree with, I might lean in to show I am emphasizing or bolding what you are saying. I have a lot of stage presenters who take my classes, and I tell them you want to lean in as a way to outline your content for the audience. It lowers cognitive load if you can show your audience what your most important points are with your body. For example, if I'm talking on stage and I'm like, "This is the most important point," you're immediately cued in to, "Oh, pay attention, put our pens down and watch."