You’re a confident career woman who knows exactly what you want and exactly what you’re doing. You’ve been in the business for years, you know all the tricks of the trade, and you’re constantly evolving to better your products and marketing. But is this confidence visible to others in your day-to-day interactions with them? Many business women just like you have what it takes to walk the walk, but fall just a little shy of succeeding. Here are ways that you can show all of that internal confidence to the world.
Stand Up Straight
If you have a bad habit of slouching – as many of us do – you could be harming your visual impact on others. Slouching is the default posture for many, but it can make you appear shy, uncertain, or lazy. In other words, all of the things you don’t want to convey. The Huffington Post explains that you may be sitting up straight incorrectly as well, and that proper posture should feel effortless instead of strained and painful. If you have difficulty standing up straight for long periods of time and default to slouching because it’s more comfortable, you may simply be straightening your posture incorrectly and could benefit from looking into posture lessons.
Have a Firm Handshake
Handshakes are often one of the first lasting impressions that you’ll make on the people you work with, and studies reported by ABC News have shown that having a firm handshake is better for your image of confidence. Locking eyes with the other person for just the right amount of time, having a steady and strong grip, and shaking their hand solidly leave the best impressions.
On the other hand, having a weak grip, refusing to make eye contact, and trying to wiggle out of the handshake as quickly as possible are all looked on unfavorably. Practice your professional handshake with others, if it’s something that you struggle with. By doing so, you will be able to deliver a strong and sure handshake without second-guessing yourself the next time you need to impress a client, co-worker, or partner.
Speak Up
Mumbling, speaking quietly, and sprinkling your sentences with filler words such as “um” or “like” can work against you. This style of hesitant speech can paint a picture of a person who has no self-confidence, and it makes people less likely to listen to you even if you’re the most knowledgeable person in the room.
If you’re the resident expert, speak like one! Talk loudly enough for everyone to hear you, even if they’re sitting way in the back, and enunciate your words clearly. Make sure that you deliver your information crisply, without meandering from topic to topic or losing your point underneath a lot of fluff. Your audience prioritizes their time, so you want to capture their attention and hold it for as long as possible. It might help for you to take a speech class if speaking to an audience isn’t your strong suit. Fortunately, as with everything else on this list, you can perfect this skill by practicing often.
Wear Clothing That Suits You
There are certain work standards that need to be met when you’re planning out your daily outfit, but who says you can’t throw a little personal pizzazz in there? One of the fastest ways to boost your confidence is by boosting your wardrobe. Showing your style and rocking well-tailored, fitted clothing can put a little more pep in your step, and others will certainly take notice.
Stores like tobi exist specifically to bring you nicely tailored, chic outfits that can convey the message that you’re a put-together professional who is entirely in charge of her life and knows exactly what she’s doing. You may find that by simply looking the part, you naturally act more confident to match, which can be all the boost you need.
Remember that appearing confident is one of the number one ways to secure more business. People who think you look like you know what you’re doing will be much more willing to work with you and trust your expertise. Starting off with the knowledge is one thing, but being able to convey that you have it and being able to show your self-confidence is the real key to success.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
