Presence by Amy Cuddy Summary
Overview of Presence
In "Presence," Harvard psychologist Amy Cuddy reveals how body language transforms confidence. Her second-most-viewed TED Talk (62M+ views) inspired scenes in "Ted Lasso" and "Grey's Anatomy." Can two minutes of power posing really change your life? Half a million readers think so.
Similar books to Presence
Feel the book through the author's voice
Turn knowledge into engaging, example-rich insights
Capture key ideas in a flash for fast learning
Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way
Key takeaways
When Your Body Becomes Your Superpower
Think about the last time you bombed an interview, froze during a presentation, or went completely blank when someone asked what you do. Your palms sweat. Your voice cracks. Your mind races through every possible way you're failing in real time. Now here's the twist: what if the solution wasn't in your head at all, but in how you were standing? After a car accident dropped her IQ by thirty points and derailed her academic dreams, a young researcher discovered something revolutionary-our bodies don't just carry our emotions, they create them. This insight, backed by rigorous science and watched by over 50 million people, reveals that personal power isn't about changing who you are. It's about changing how you hold yourself long enough to remember who you've always been. Presence is maddeningly difficult to define yet instantly recognizable. Picture someone who walks into a room and somehow shifts the energy without saying a word. It's not their resume or credentials-it's something else entirely. When entrepreneurs pitch ideas with genuine enthusiasm, they don't just communicate information; they signal drive, persistence, and creativity. This quality becomes contagious, stimulating commitment in everyone around them. The beautiful paradox? Presence isn't some mystical state requiring years of meditation. It's far more accessible: being attuned to and comfortably expressing your true thoughts, feelings, and values in the moment.
The Authenticity Paradox and What Your Body Really Says
The Listening Revolution That Changes Everything
The Fraud Inside Your Head
Your Body Is Your Mind-The Science of Physical Power
Posing Your Way to Power-The Transformation Experiments
The Revolution Starts With Standing Tall
Quick Summary Mode - Read or listen to Presence Summary in 9 Minutes
Break down key ideas from Presence into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.
Flash Card Mode - Top 7 Insights from Presence in a Nutshell
Distill Presence into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight Pixar’s principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.
Fun Mode - Presence Lessons Told Through 20-Min Stories
Experience Presence through vivid storytelling that turns Pixar’s innovation lessons into moments you’ll remember and apply.
Personalize Mode - Read or listen to Presence Summary in 0 Minutes
Ask anything, pick the voice, and co-create insights that truly resonate with you.
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
Get the Presence summary as a free PDF or EPUB. Print it or read offline anytime.