How to make a lasting impression

2011-12-12

Some professionals prefer to think that what they say is more important than physical appearance. But in fact, folks are sizing you up before you even take off your coat, says Christine K. Jahnke, a speech coach and author of the book The Well-Spoken Woman. She recently explained that to a senior-level engineer at a large defence company who used to wear a ski parka to professional meetings. (Ms. Jahnke insisted he purchase an overcoat.)
People notice everything from your choice of clothing colours and how a jacket fits, to your hairstyle and the length of your fingernails, Ms. Jahnke says. You dont want anything about your appearance to be distracting mdash to take away from the message that you have come to communicate.
In a video, Ms. Jahnke demonstrated some of her tips.
Whether you are giving a speech going on ajobinterview or delivering a presentation, heres how to make a lasting impression:
Modulate your voice. When were nervous, we speak more quickly mdash something that comes across both on the phone and in person. Purposely slow down. Any hesitation can make you sound unsure of yourself, but a deliberate pause can emphasize a key point.
For women, in particular, the pitch of their voices may rise when they are nervous, making them sound girlish. Whatever their age, that detracts from their credibility and sense of authority.
Before picking up the phone or heading into that important meeting, take a cue from the yogis. Breathe in deeply through your nose, hold it for a moment or two, and then audibly exhale. Not only will it help you relax, it will improve the quality of the sound.
Maintain eye contact. Leonardo da Vinci famously said the eyes are the window to the soul, but there is such a thing as over doing it. You cant hold that gaze for the whole meeting (we all need to blink once in a while), and you dont want to seem like youre staring. Be sure to make eye contact when you first meet someone, and when delivering your most important lines.
During pauses in the conversation, dont look up at the ceiling it seems like youre trying to pluck answers out of the air. Instead, look off to the side during that pensive moment. Bring your eyes back and hold them steady as you complete a sentence Hand off the thought with your eyes, Ms. Jahnke says. Too often people look away at that point because theyre in a big hurry to get to what theyre going to say next.
Pay attention to posture. Mother was right when she told you to stand up straight, and thats true whether youre tall or short. Keep your shoulders back, and never cross your arms in front of you (the closed body position). When seated, lean forward slightly, rather than leaning back into the chair, which can cause you to slump.
Mind your hands. Most meetings start with a cordial handshake. Put out your full hand, avoiding the half-handed (and halfhearted) grip, which can feel like a cold fish. Shake firmly, but dont squeeze too hard or overdo mdash weve all been stuck in those handshakes that seem to last too long.
Watch what you do next. Clasping your hands on the table or in your lap can reveal white knuckles or lead to nervous thumb twiddling. Instead, keep hands apart, in front of you, or place one loosely over the other.
Use humour judiciously. A smile makes you look confident and relaxed. Humour, such as a funny story from everyday life, can send a signal that you dont take yourself too seriously, which can break the ice and help the other person relax, Ms. Jahnke says. But be attuned to the culture of the organization and the person youre talking with. Only use humour if it has a purpose, such as to illustrate what youre saying.
Watch out for laughter that punctuates your sentencesmdashanother distracting, nervous mannerism, Ms. Jahnke adds. How long can you have a conversation with someone who laughs after everything they say?

Source From www.theglobeandmail.com