The workplace is a stage. Those who are commanding and remain confident during ever-changing situations are sure to impress the workplace audience. The rewards will result in a promotion, notoriety, and influence.
To have a powerful presence is to have constant command of the facts, strategically communicate, teach and persuade, and remain comfortable in one’s skin. Whether in a boardroom, auditorium, or one on one, a presence that commands power and influence is a superior business skill.
You may have been left out of a meeting, passed over for promotion, or remained outside the circle of influence simply because of the way others perceive you or your behavior.
The impact of body language plays a significant role in the way we are perceived, followed by vocal elements and, finally, the actual words you say (which is the cherry on top of this presence sundae).
We want to be confident and cool deliberately in our body language. For many, this is where people start forming impressions of you in their heads.
When you are very well put together, you’re creating a solid impression in their head. The belief is being formed by the adjectives they begin assigning to you. This person knows their stuff; they are confident, all of their non-verbal’s are in place (These thoughts are happening subconsciously), etc.
We are constantly listening for vocal signs of emotion. When someone picks up a phone to say hello or greets everyone in a meeting or introduces themselves, listeners try to pick up on how confident the speaker is. People don’t realize that impression has to do with how they say something even more than what they say. This is why your vocal power is vital.
A person with a powerful presence, many times, is good at articulating the bottom line in short form. They can be concise. The other side of that coin is the tendency for some to offer a lot of detail first and then get to the bottom line. Perspective is the key to being concise. It allows your audience to see the bigger picture.
People are constantly observing your behavior and forming ideas about your competence and character, which has the opportunity to spread like wildfire throughout your workplace.
Leverage this by consciously framing others’ ideas about who you are and what you can accomplish.
Until Next Time!
Be Powerful. Be Present.
Beatrice Faulkner, CEG M.S.
Life by Design Coach
