You're in a meeting with key leaders. Maybe you're naturally engaged, or maybe you're tuning out. Either way, you know you want to make an impression that conveys investment and confidence.

In the article, Looking Confident Even When You're Not, the discussion was about non-verbals as a presenter – how to convey confidence as a leader when you're on your feet.

But what about the many meetings where you're a participant and seated? How can you set yourself up to be perceived as confident and engaged with the leaders in the room? Here are 5 tips for sending a clear message that you're in it to win it.

Let's assume you're at a conference table…

1. With shoulders back, rest both arms on the table, shoulders straight, and lean slightly forward and in the direction of the speaker.

2. Have paper and pen handy to take notes when important things are said. Nod once or twice just before you begin to take the note, and once or twice while you're jotting down that brief note. Look back up at the speaker when you're done.

3. When comments are made, look at the person who's talking. Nod.

4. With your elbow on the table and hand in a loose fist, rest your chin on your  hand and nod while the speaker is talking. The picture above demonstrates this well.

5. Comment when appropriate… and keep it to under 15 seconds. Make eye contact with a few of the leaders in the room while you're talking. If you're specifically commenting on what Person A has said, look at her/him first, then move your eyes to one or two other leaders. Finish up by reconnecting with Person A.

If you're not interested in what's being said AND you're not expected to participate in the discussion, your mind can go wherever you want it to as long as you follow 1 through 4 above. But be careful of this, as there are other unconscious body language signals that can send the opposite message.

(C) 2009 Denise Brouillette, San Francisco, CA. All Rights Reserved. Denise Brouillette is the president of The Innovative Edge LLC and The Women's Edge in Leading.