Do you shudder at the thought of presenting in front of a group?\u00a0 Or, maybe you\u2019re comfortable in front of a group, but feel your skills could use some polishing?<\/p>\n
Polished communication skills should be the basis and core from which all of your talents and other work skills flow.\u00a0 Without the ability to clearly communicate, your prospects for individual and business success are low.\u00a0 Excellent communication skills portray as good leadership skills, and in most businesses are a necessary element and large consideration for promotion.<\/p>\n
Today business communication is often over email, text and voice mail, making powerful in-person presentations more important than ever before.\u00a0 Moreover, speaking with confidence is critical to being viewed as an authority in staff meetings, with clients, when networking, at large formal presentations and during upper level management meetings.<\/p>\n
Surprisingly, confidence and the authority factor of in-person communication lies more with the way you look, act and project yourself more than what you actually say (but, of course, that is important too!).<\/p>\n
Here are 6 keys to success on your path to speaking with confidence.<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0 Make an impact from the moment you enter the room<\/span>.\u00a0 This is important whether meeting one-on-one with a new (or existing) client, or addressing an auditorium full of people.\u00a0 Showing up with a powerful, professional image will make a lasting impression and go a long way toward making your message resonate.\u00a0 Start with the basics like a well put together outfit and personal presentation, but go above and beyond.\u00a0 Here are just a few ideas spanning small to large group talks:<\/p>\n 2.\u00a0 Command your space to exude power<\/span>.\u00a0 Research proves that standing up straight and assuming positions or stances of power prior to your talk increases confidence and testosterone (power hormone), and decreases cortisol (stress hormone.)*\u00a0 Power positions include stances like standing up tall and reaching for the ceiling with your arms stretched overhead; standing strong and tall with your hands on your hips; sitting tall in a chair with your feet up on a desk; or sitting in a chair with your hands behind your head and ankle resting over the opposite knee.\u00a0 Assuming these poses for as little as two minutes prior to your presentation can make a huge difference in your delivery and confidence.<\/p>\n After you enter the room, assume a strong stance without crossing your legs or arms, and without pulling your shoulders down or inward.\u00a0 These movements do not convey power or confidence.<\/p>\n 3.\u00a0 Grab your audience with your first word<\/span>.\u00a0 Think about the \u2018firsts\u2019 in sporting events; the football kickoff, first pitch in baseball, or basketball toss up \u2013 these are major actions that set the game in motion.\u00a0 The same needs to be true each time you present.\u00a0 Your starting words are your launch point to a successful presentation.\u00a0 Begin with a relevant story, funny anecdote, interesting trivia about your topic, or audience quiz which ties into the topic.\u00a0 Make it impactful and memorable.<\/p>\n 4.\u00a0 Develop rapport quickly and easily<\/span>.\u00a0 This doesn\u2019t happen by standing behind the lectern, or sinking into your chair if you\u2019re in a conference room.\u00a0 Ditch the lectern if you are in front of a big group.\u00a0 It creates a barrier.\u00a0 Instead, invade the audience space.\u00a0 Take your power and energy around the room, or across the stage to help make a connection to everyone.\u00a0 Use positive gestures throughout your talk like a subtle thumbs up, nodding, smiling, and mirroring to make people buy your story or your point.<\/p>\n 5.\u00a0 Organize your points for maximum persuasion<\/span>.\u00a0 Impact, power, attention grabbing and building rapport all do<\/em> matter, but the end goal is to get your core message across.\u00a0 Know your content like you know the alphabet.\u00a0 Don\u2019t make the mistake of reading slides to your audience.\u00a0 Put one or two key points on a slide with graphics and pictures to drive your point home, and let your slides act as memory joggers for your next point.\u00a0 Run through your presentation ahead of time until it\u2019s natural and easy to deliver.<\/p>\n 6.\u00a0 Conclude memorably<\/span>.\u00a0 Finish strong and people will remember your message.\u00a0 Your closing is as important as your first moment of impact, and needs to make a lasting impression.<\/p>\n The best way to sum up how to be confident in front of a group is to \u2018get out of your own way\u2019.\u00a0 Your audience is looking for information, education, tools, entertainment, enlightenment, and they want these things from someone who is efficient, capable and engaging.\u00a0 Think about and focus completely on their needs when you are building your presentation, and what they want to get out of the encounter and walk away with when you are delivering it.<\/p>\n Of course, since you are the main event their eyes will be focused on you, but don\u2019t waste time second guessing yourself, or in self-doubt.\u00a0 People will be interested in what you have to say if you say it with impact.\u00a0 And if you do it right, they will not only have heard your message by the end of your presentation, you will have won them over as well.<\/p>\n * Amy Cuddy: Your body language shapes who you are Ted Talk, June 2012<\/p>\n \u00a9Copyright 2015.\u00a0 Kay Fittes.\u00a0 All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Do you shudder at the thought of presenting in front of a group?\u00a0 Or, maybe you\u2019re comfortable in front of a group, but feel your skills could use some polishing? 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