You've Heard of Power Poses. But What About Power Colors?

The color you wear on stage is never an accident.

Before you say a single word, your audience is already reading you. Your posture. Your energy. And yes — the color you're wearing.

We talk a lot about power poses in the communication world. How you stand, how you hold your hands, how you take up space. But color is doing the same work, and most speakers never think about it intentionally.

I do.

Why Color Is a Communication Tool

Every color carries an energetic message. It's not mystical — it's psychological. Humans are wired to respond to color before logic kicks in. That means the moment you walk on stage, the room is already receiving your signal.

The question is: are you sending the one you mean to?

A Quick Guide to Power Colors

Red is command. It says I am here and I mean it. Boldness, passion, urgency. You don't walk into a room in red — you arrive. Red is my personal go-to on stage, and I wear it when I want the room to feel me before I open my mouth.

Black is authority. There is absolutely a time for black on stage, and it is one of the most powerful choices you can make. Black doesn't compete with the room. It becomes the room. Mastery. Sophistication. Control.

White is clarity. It signals openness, vision, and credibility. White creates contrast and commands the eye. It says: I have nothing to hide and everything to share.

Navy is trust. Calm, grounded confidence. Navy communicates depth and reliability without a trace of ego. If you want your audience leaning in before you've proven yourself — reach for navy.

Gold and sequins are celebration. Yes, there is absolutely a time for sequins on stage. Joy is powerful. Shimmer is intentional. Wear it when you want the energy in the room to rise before you say a word.

Green is growth. Abundance, renewal, forward motion. If your message is about transformation and possibility, green puts that energy in the room before you start.

Purple is vision. It has always been the color of those who think differently — creative wisdom, a higher perspective, ideas that go beyond the conventional.

The Real Rule

Here is what I want you to take away from all of this: the most powerful color you can wear is the one that makes you feel most like yourself. Not what looks "professional." Not what you think you're supposed to wear. The color that makes you stand a little taller the moment you put it on.

That is your power color. And when you wear it with intention, the room feels it.

So Tell Me

What is your power color? The one that makes you walk differently? The one you reach for when you need to show up fully?

Drop it in the comments. I read every single one.

And if you're ready to build the kind of presence that commands a room before you say a word — from your posture to your voice to the words you choose — I'd love to work with you one on one. Click the link to book your coaching session.

Because you've got something worth saying. Let's make sure the world hears it.

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3 Things I’m Teaching, Loving & Releasing: The MEAN IT Method

Welcome to Speak Like You Mean It, where better communication isn’t about sounding perfect—it’s about connecting, being present, and actually meaning the words coming out of your mouth. WATCH HERE

Every week, I’m sharing three things: one thing I’m teaching and practicing, one thing I’m loving in life, and one thing I’m releasing.

Out with the old. In with the new. Let’s get into it.

1. What I’m Teaching: Activate the Words

This week with my coaching clients, I’m working on my MEAN IT Method.

Here’s the quick version:

M — Map It
E — Establish Trust
A — Activate the Words
N — Navigate the Room
I — Invite Them In
T — Take Your Space

Line those letters up and you get MEAN IT.

It works when you speak—and, frankly, it works when you live.

This week, I’m camping out on my favorite letter: A. Activate the Words.

In the acting world—and when I’m preparing to emcee or give a keynote—we often call this marking the script. But I prefer activating it, because that’s exactly what we’re doing: bringing the words to life instead of simply saying them.

Most people get a script, speech, pitch, or presentation and read it from beginning to end. Every word gets the same weight. Same speed. Same energy.

And it’s flat.

It’s like taking a road trip down one long, straight, desolate highway. Sure, you’ll get there—but wouldn’t you rather take the winding roads through Colorado?

Give me some hills. Some curves. Some scenery!

Your words need that too.

Find the words that carry the weight. The words that hold the meaning. Maybe it’s a present. A deadline. A memorial. Circle them. Underline them. Draw a picture next to them. Whatever helps you actually see what you’re talking about.

Then, when you speak, see those images.

Those words naturally get more energy because they mean something to you.

Same script. Completely different power.

Try it with your next speech, pitch, presentation, or scene.

Don’t just say the words. Activate the words.

If you can see the color, images, and meaning behind what you’re saying, your audience has a much better chance of seeing—and feeling—it too.

2. What I’m Loving: My Rebounder

Every morning, I jump on a little trampoline on my back porch for ten minutes.

And I love it. BUY IT HERE

First of all, try being in a bad mood while bouncing on a trampoline. It’s difficult. I’ve tried.

But more importantly, it gets my entire body awake. I start breathing deeper, my voice starts warming up, my energy comes up, and by the time I step off, my head feels clearer and I’m ready to go.

I’m a social introvert. I love people, but sometimes I need a little help getting my energy moving before I go out and show up for everybody.

This does it.

And that ties right back into communication, because presence starts in the body.

Mine apparently starts on a mini trampoline.

3. What I’m Releasing: Chips

This one hurts.

Chips.

I love salty food. And if there is a bag of chips in my cabinet, eventually that bag of chips is going to be in my belly.

Especially if I’m watching a good show.

So instead of having a nightly negotiation with myself about whether I’m going to eat the chips, I stopped buying the chips.

Revolutionary, I know.

No chips in the cabinet. No chips in my belly.

And it’s working. I feel lighter, I’m mindlessly snacking less, and I’ve discovered one of the simplest life hacks ever:

You cannot eat what you do not have.

Sometimes releasing something doesn’t require more willpower. Sometimes you just stop giving it space in your life.

Teaching. Loving. Releasing.

So that’s what I’m working on this week.

I’m teaching: Activate the Words.
I’m loving: ten minutes on my rebounder.
I’m releasing: the chips.

Keep what works. Release what doesn’t. And keep practicing how you want to show up—not just in the way you communicate, but in the way you live.

Because I don’t just want to Speak Like I Mean It.

I want to live like I mean it, too.

Want more?

Follow my weekly videos on YouTube @anaberry and follow @speak.likeyoumeanit on Instagram for communication tips, coaching tools, behind-the-scenes practice, and more of the MEAN IT Method.

Now go activate those words—and Speak Like You Mean It.

Communication Is Contagious

"People don't just hear your words. They experience your presence."
— Ana Berry

Communication Is More Than Talking

Most people think communication begins the moment they open their mouth.

I don't.

Communication begins the moment you enter the room.

Before you've introduced yourself…
Before you've shaken a hand…
Before you've clicked to the first slide of your presentation…

People are already making decisions.

They are asking themselves:

• Can I trust this person?

• Do they believe what they're saying?

• Are they confident?

• Are they paying attention to me?

• Do I feel safe around them?

None of those questions are answered by your vocabulary.

They're answered by your presence.

That's why I often say:

Communication is contagious.

We are constantly "catching" one another's emotions, energy, confidence, and attention.

Have you ever noticed how one calm person can settle an entire room?

Or how one anxious speaker can make everyone else feel uncomfortable?

That's communication.

And it has very little to do with words.

We Mirror One Another

Human beings are wired for connection.

Researchers have found that we subconsciously mirror the facial expressions, posture, tone of voice, and even breathing patterns of the people around us.

When someone smiles sincerely, you often smile back.

When someone yawns...

You yawn.

When someone speaks with enthusiasm...

You naturally become more engaged.

Likewise...

When someone rushes, apologizes, avoids eye contact, or seems uncertain...

We begin to feel uncertain too.

Whether you realize it or not, your nervous system is influencing everyone else's.

Confidence Is Transferable

One of my favorite moments during coaching happens when a client suddenly stops performing.

Their shoulders relax.

Their breathing slows.

Their smile becomes genuine.

Their voice settles.

Nothing magical happened.

They simply became themselves.

Suddenly everyone in the room leans in.

Not because they're louder.

Not because they memorized better words.

Because authenticity is magnetic.

Confidence spreads.

People don't need perfection.

They need permission.

Your Body Speaks First

Long before someone processes your words, they notice your body.

Your posture tells people whether you're comfortable.

Your eyes tell people whether you're interested.

Your hands reveal your confidence.

Your pace tells people whether you're overwhelmed or composed.

Every part of you is communicating.

This is why I spend so much time coaching body language.

Not because I want people to become robotic.

Because I want their body to support their message instead of contradicting it.