Raise your hand if you’ve ever felt envious of the woman who is comfortable in her skin.
You know her, she's the woman who walks into the room and heads turn; the one who’s aware of herself but not self-centered; who has an opinion but is willing to make mistakes; the one who is articulate, charismatic, persuasive, self-assured and genuinely authentic.
Sometimes I’d like to be that woman. Wouldn’t you?
Well, there’s good news.
Like any skill personal presence is learned, which means that all it takes to make you more confident, charming and eloquent, is awareness and effort.
Here are 5 tips to get you started.
Don’t try to be someone you aren’t. People with a strong personal presence know who they are. They understand what makes them special and strive to do more of that, every day. They accept responsibility for their weaknesses and figure out how to mitigate them. And most importantly, what they say about themselves matches who they are.
Nurture your network. Your colleagues, clients and cohorts are the most important marketing vehicle you’ve got. Do you need to make an emotional deposit or do you already have great relationships with them? How many people can you genuinely call on for help and support? If it feels a little thin then find opportunities to volunteer. Not only will you meet more people and showcase your expertise, but you’ll learn new skills.
Command the floor. This is a tricky one. How you behave in tense or stressful situations speaks to the credibility of your personal brand. Don’t allow yourself to be railroaded, interrupted or otherwise made less of, but make sure that during the conflict you retain your poise. Prepare well for any anticipated objections and be confident when sharing your work.
Deliver your message. When you need to speak with power, breathe into your stomach, not your lungs. This will relax you and give your voice a lower register, which is more influential than a higher pitch. People react to your voice quality first and your message second, so don’t let your voice betray your nerves.
Look good. Packaging is everything. It’s the first filter people have and decides whether you’re worthy of further attention or not. How your clothing fits is key, and so too are your accessories: are your shoes buffed? Are you using a good quality pen? Are your nails beautifully manicured and is the polish chip free? Remember, people size you up quickly and change their minds slowly.
Everything you do or choose not to do speaks to the value and character of your brand. Personal presence is a choice and the barrier to doing it effectively and authentically exists only in your mind.
What other personal presence tips would you like to share?
No comments:
Post a Comment