9 Body Language Lessons From Fight Or Flight Mode

Lions are born knowing they are predators. Antelopes understand they are the prey. Humans are one of the few creatures on Earth given the choice. — Patrick H.T. Doyle

• When in threat, do you take flight or fight mode?
• Like cougars, we are constantly assessing our power compared to others through our body language.
• Keep your power: keep eye contact, don’t turn away and expand your body language.
• Learn how to communicate with confidence with these free resources here.

My first encounter with a mountain lion was an unforgettable moment. It was unexpected, scary, and thrilling!

When we met, the lion gazed at me to assess if I was threat, prey, or an equal. I knew this was potentially a life-threatening emergency.

My heart started to race. My senses became sharper. All I could see was the lion’s face. I felt really tense.

In that encounter with the mountain lion, I made 3 big mistakes:

1. I broke eye contact.

2. I turned my back towards it.

3. I stayed silent and small.

Luckily, I did one important thing right: I didn’t run. Running would be a clear sign I was a prey.

In panic and danger, people’s survival instinct will make them take flight or fight mode depending on how much power they feel in that situation.

Humans are not that different. We are constantly trying to assess our power compared to others through our body language.

Here are 9 body language lessons from fight or flight mode with a cougar next time you are in a tense situation.

1. Look as large as possible.

Go big in a situation where you want to look more confident and powerful. You can do that by standing up instead of sitting down, improving your posture, opening your arms, and placing your feet shoulder width apart.

2. Make noise.

Speak slowly and loudly to discourage their hunting instincts.

You have something most other animals don’t: a powerful voice machine. Speak up When silent you’ll either go unnoticed or be perceived as uninterested, lacking confidence, or lower ranking.

When you speak too fast or too softly you could be seen as nervous and lacking confidence. On the other hand, speaking slowly and loudly conveys assurance, strength, and power.

3. Hold eye contact.

Your eye contact is everything. Look them to display confidence but don’t stare fixated at a mountain lion because that signals you’re provoking them and up for a fight.

Insecure people will turn their eyes down or away. For example, don’t look away when you meet someone, or someone gives you negative feedback, compliments, or criticizes you. Did you know that bosses tend to make more eye contact with their higher performing employees, according to the Journal of nonverbal behavior, 2010?

4. Never run away.

Avoidance from hard but important conversations or situations is a sign of weakness. If you’re going to avoid it, be intentional. First address it and say that you’d rather discuss it later. Be open and direct about your intention.

5. Don’t bend over or crouch down.

Keep a positive and confident posture as you speak to others.

6. Don’t turn away or turn your back to them.

Lions like to attack silently from the victim’s rear because it is a weaker position. In the same way, when your body and feet face away or diagonally out from the person you’re interacting with, you may signal discomfort and avoidance.

7. Slowly create distance.

If you have a problem with someone or a situation, create healthy boundaries.

8. Give them room to escape.

If they feel cornered or that you want to challenge them by approaching them, they may behave aggressively to protect themselves. In the same way, give people the opportunity to save face and to take some time off if they’re flustered.

9. Fight back if attacked.

If someone treats you without respect, then speak up. If something bothers you then address it. Don’t let it go unnoticed, otherwise it may happen again or even get worse.

Mountain lions enjoy hunting deer and elk. They rarely attack humans. When attacks do happen, it is usually because people react with prey-like behavior.

Remember to keep your power: maintain eye contact, don’t turn away and expand your body language.