Once your presence is felt, once you walk into a meeting at work, are people instinctively and naturally drawn towards you. Do people stop what they’re doing, there’s an audible gasp, and they pay full attention. Do you project that aura once you speak, while everyone listens.
Whenever you make your presence be known in a meeting or a conference room, ready to speak, do others prompt to attention, or ask to hear what your opinions are on a topic. Once there’s an important decision to be made, do others seek your advice or your ideas.
Most will waver in their response when questioned on how much of a dynamic presence that they project under certain situations. The chances are good that you yourself are missing what experts have found is the essential component, this when it comes to getting ahead in business or in the workplace.
This is known as executive presence, which is thought responsible as one of the key factors when it comes to getting promoted. So understanding to be more dynamic, how to project more confidence, staying poised and calm under pressure, while being completely authentic and accountable are skills that many need to work on.
Do You Measure Up
For most, it’s a stumbling block, these roadblocks exist for them to be considered “executive” material, and most aren’t there yet, and many may never be. But the quest continues to move up the corporate ladder, and this begins by cultivating a more positive presence in the workplace.
There are studies which confirms that first impressions count, the dress for success protocol, the authority aura is taken into account, as it’s the first seven seconds of meeting anyone for the first time that’s considered critical.
Once you meet someone or a group of people initially, during the first few moments of doing so, there are close to a dozen subconscious judgmental factors which are instantly made on you, and you make on them, this before a single word is spoken.
So Who Are You
What runs in someone’s mind is, are you a person that they like, should they approach or avoid you. Do they want to be associated with you or not. Do you project authority and status, come across as trustworthy, likeable, competent, confident.
These queries and their immediate interpretations are quickly made at lighting speed, so the key becomes knowing which steps to take so you can work them in your favor.
So Really… Who Are You?
To accomplish this, social scientists are suggesting that you adopt that proactive aura, the channeling effect of projecting to have an executive presence, this in a variety of ways. These include, how you look, what your mannerisms are, how you speak and communicate.
This goes beyond the “fake it til you make it” theory, as these factors need to be polished and genuine. So the goal becomes finding authentic ways on how you can express your best, with intention, this especially when you interact with others for the first time.
Knowing What Your Intentions Are
There’s a completely invisible world of nonverbal signals that we all react to, which has a huge impact on how we perceive others, and how we’re perceived. Yet, we spend most our time on the context of our speech or presentation.
We place less thought on what we’re going to wear which matches the mood, how we’re going to act or react, and what our tone of voice will be once we begin to speak.
So what needs to be observed is taking the time to acknowledge your intentions, know how you’ll come across with each interaction. Is it to inspire others, to educate, or stimulate.
Is your intention to offer comfort or gratitude if it happens to be a difficult situation at the workplace. How will you align this intention to how you dress, move, or speak.
Make Sure That You’re Relaxed
What’s instantly sensed is nervousness. The fear of public speaking for many is the biggest fear that they have, so it becomes important to calm your nervous system down, this before going into a meeting.
The most effective way to relax is by using breathing techniques such as the 4-7-8 method. What doing so does is it naturally signals your heart rate to settle down, while also lowering and steadying your tone of voice.
There are other meditative methods that you can use, such as striking the Superman pose, which is standing up straight with your head up and your hands on your hips, erect with a wide stance.
Make sure that you breath deeply and slowly for a few minutes, this to naturally lower your cortisol level while increasing your testosterone level.
Making The Proper Stand
Make sure that you’re aware consciously on how your shoulders, hips, waist, and feet are positioned. As you begin to speak, these are the areas where all of the normal gestures will naturally flow from, while your projected voice and speech patterns will convey authenticity.
So be aware of these areas of the body as others will notice. Never slump over or constantly shuffle your feet. Use hand gestures when appropriate to reinforce what you say.
Building On Your Strengths
Make sure that you take the time to self reflect and criticize how you’ve performed, while also asking for feedback when appropriate, this regarding what worked well, this in terms of your presentation.
Doing so will help you discover what your strengths are, what you’re good at and what you need work on. If possible, get someone to videotape you.
There are studies which support that when building on your strengths, rather than always focusing on your weaknesses, is a better approach when it comes to building your confidence and well-being, all which promotes your executive presence.