I need to talk about something I see constantly, and it's painful every time.
You know the headshot I'm talking about. Crossed arms pulled tight against the chest to make the biceps pop. Shirt that's one size too small. Jaw clenched. That "alpha" stare into the camera like they're about to challenge you to a deadlift competition.
Bro. You're applying to be a sales manager, not a bouncer.
I started noticing this pattern a couple years ago when I was reviewing LinkedIn profiles for a networking event. Out of maybe 40 guys in sales and business development roles, at least 8 of them had some version of this pose. Arms crossed, chest puffed, "don't mess with me" energy radiating from a 200x200 pixel square.
And here's what kills me: these are often genuinely good salespeople. They're personable in real life. They know how to read a room. But their headshot is screaming something completely different.
Your Biceps Don't Close Deals
Let me be blunt about something. When a hiring manager or potential client sees your crossed-arms-tight-shirt headshot, they're not thinking "wow, this guy is impressive." They're thinking "this guy is going to be exhausting to work with."
There's actual psychology behind this. Research on body language consistently shows that crossed arms signal defensiveness, resistance, or a lack of willingness to engage. One study found that people who kept their arms folded retained 40% less information and had more critical opinions of the speaker compared to those with open postures. The same principle applies to photos – that crossed-arm pose you think looks powerful actually reads as closed off and unapproachable.
I've talked with recruiters who've told me they'll sometimes skip past profiles specifically because the headshot gives off aggressive or intimidating vibes. They're trying to build teams, not hire bouncers. And in sales especially, where your entire job is building trust and rapport, projecting aggression in your profile photo is basically self-sabotage.
The "Alpha Male" Pose Is Actually Insecure
Here's the irony that kills me. The guys doing this pose think they're projecting confidence and strength. But to anyone who understands body language, it reads as the opposite.
Think about it. When someone genuinely feels secure and confident, they don't need to puff up and create barriers. They can stand relaxed with open body language because they're not trying to prove anything. The crossed arms, the clenched jaw, the intense stare – these are compensation behaviors. They're what people do when they're trying to look confident rather than actually being confident.
The most successful executives and salespeople I've worked with almost never use that pose. They understand that real authority comes from approachability, not intimidation. They want people to feel comfortable working with them, not worried about being challenged to an arm wrestling match.
As I covered in a previous post about facial cues that convert, the most trustworthy facial expressions involve slightly raised eyebrows and a small smile. Not a death stare.
The Fitness Identity Problem
Look, I'm not anti-gym. I work out regularly. Being in shape is great for your health, your energy, your confidence – all good things.
But there's a difference between being fit and making fitness your entire personality. And when that identity bleeds into your professional headshot, it creates a disconnect.
Your headshot is supposed to represent you in a professional context. It's the first thing recruiters, clients, and colleagues see. And when that image screams "I spend 3 hours a day at the gym and I need you to know it," you're communicating that fitness is more important to you than the job you're applying for.
I had a guy reach out to me once, frustrated that he wasn't getting responses on his applications despite having solid experience. His resume was fine. His cover letters were decent. But his LinkedIn photo looked like he was about to film a protein powder commercial. We talked about updating it to something more approachable, and within a few weeks he started getting callbacks.
Was the photo the only factor? Probably not. But first impressions are formed in milliseconds, and his original photo was working against him from the start.
What Actually Works
If you're a gym bro reading this and getting defensive, take a breath. I'm not saying you need to hide who you are or pretend you don't lift. I'm saying your headshot needs to match the context.
Here's what actually projects confidence without crossing into intimidation territory:
Relax your shoulders. Seriously, just let them drop. Tension in your shoulders and neck reads as stress, not strength.
Keep your arms visible and open. Put them at your sides, or one hand in a pocket. An open posture signals that you're approachable and have nothing to hide. This is huge for anyone in client-facing roles.
Wear clothes that actually fit. If your shirt looks like it's about to rip when you breathe, you've gone too far. A well-fitted shirt that shows you're in shape without screaming about it is the sweet spot.
Soften your expression. You can look confident without looking like you're about to fight someone. A slight smile or even just a relaxed, pleasant expression goes a long way.
Think "executive" not "enforcer." Before your photo session, look at headshots of CEOs and senior leaders you respect. Notice how rarely they do the crossed-arms tough-guy pose. There's a reason for that.
The Real Confidence Move
Here's the thing that gym bros often miss about professional contexts: the most confident move is often the most understated one.
True confidence doesn't need to announce itself. It doesn't need to puff up or posture or intimidate. It's secure enough to be warm, approachable, and even a little vulnerable.
The guys who are actually crushing it in sales aren't the ones who look like they're about to challenge you to a fight. They're the ones who look like they'd be great to grab coffee with. They project competence AND likability. They make you feel comfortable, not intimidated.
I've seen this over and over with the professionals I work with. The ones who update their headshots from that aggressive gym-bro style to something more approachable almost always report better results. More profile views. More connection accepts. More responses to outreach. More interviews.
Your biceps aren't closing deals. Your approachability is.
Make The Change
If you're reading this and realizing your headshot might fall into this category, don't beat yourself up. It's a common mistake, and it's easily fixed.
Take a hard look at your current photo. Better yet, ask someone who'll be honest with you. Does it look like you're trying to intimidate the viewer? Do you look approachable, like someone people would want to work with? Would a hiring manager see this and think "team player" or "difficult personality"?
If the answers aren't what you want, it's time for an update. And the good news is that getting a better headshot has never been easier or more affordable. You don't need to spend $400 at a photographer's studio – tools like ProfileMagic can get you professional-quality headshots from a few selfies without the awkward posing sessions where a photographer has to keep telling you to relax your shoulders.
Your headshot is often the first thing people see. Make sure it's working for you, not against you.
Tone it down. Open up. Let people see the person behind the protein shakes.
That's the real power move.