Prestatiesturing

Prestatiesturing is a concept used in discussions of nonverbal communication and performance management to describe the deliberate use of bodily cues to influence how others judge someone's performance or competence. As a neologism, it combines ideas of performing and steering perception, signaling an intent to shape audience assessment through gesture and comportment.

Core mechanisms include posture, hand movements, facial expression, gaze, rhythm, and timing; the alignment of verbal and nonverbal messages; and the use of context, clothing, or digital avatars to reinforce cues. Proxemics and synchrony with others can amplify perceived competency.

Applications include athletic coaching, leadership and management, sales and customer service, public speaking, and online media where performers curate impressions for viewers. In these settings, prestatiesturing can function as a tool for cue management, helping to convey confidence, reliability, or expertise.

Research notes potential benefits and risks. When cues align with actual performance, prestatiesturing can enhance credibility and persuasiveness; misalignment may undermine trust and trigger suspect perceptions. Cultural differences and individual differences in interpretation, as well as ethical concerns about deception, are central considerations in evaluating its use.

See also: nonverbal communication, impression management, signaling theory, performance studies.