Practice Neutral Face

Controlling your own face under pressure:

• Neutral face: a relaxed, pleasant resting expression that does not leak anxiety or disapproval in high-stakes moments
• Pre-set your expression: before a meeting, consciously adopt the look you want to project
• Manage surprise: stay composed when unexpected news arrives — widened eyes and a dropped jaw signal vulnerability
• Mirror strategically: matching another person's positive expressions builds rapport automatically

Done well, this gives you a quiet edge in any conversation.