Are you taken seriously? Are you seen as the resident expert? When you speak, do people listen? If so, then you can probably stop reading now. If not, and if you’ve ever longed to be taken more seriously by your bosses, co-workers and clients, then this post will give you 5 powerful steps you can implement immediately to be seen as confident and competent and get taken seriously.
1. Recognize the Power of Image.- oh yes, this is a visual world. With Pinterest, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter and so on, it seems we are inundated with images like never before. Did you know that you are creating a personal image whether you are intentional with it or not?
So the question becomes what image are you creating? There isn’t really a right or wrong answer to this. So much depends on your environment and what your objectives are. A good rule of thumb is to observe the leaders in your industry and duplicate what they are doing. So dump the stuff that’s in conflict with who you want to be perceived as, and stock up on the goods to make you ROCK your style and you’re on your way.
2. Utilize the power of your voice. Your words are just a portion of your message. That’s right, the bast majority is conveyed with your pitch, tone and volume, body language and facial expressions.
In American english, the primary time you should end a sentence with a vocal lift is at the end of a question. Yet how many people do you know who end their statements with a lift? That little habit will cause people think the speaker is “just a bit tentative” with his ideas.
Use variety with your pitch, tone and volume. If monotone is a habit for you, turn on NPR in the morning and repeat after the reporter just a beat or two behind. It will force you to modulate your voice in ways you’re not used to doing. Strengthening your vocal variety could be just the ticket for increasing interest in what you have to say and earning credibility through a more powerfully spoken message.
3. Maximize your body language. Yup, the other big chunk of getting your message heard is your body language. What are you doing with your arms, your head, your face? All parts of your body send messages a million times a minute.
Here’s the interesting thing – if you say no and shake your head yes, guess which message is heard? That’s right, it’s the Yes! that comes across. People always believe what they see over what they hear. You may be speaking with confidence and passion, but if your body is sending a passive, unsure or negative message, that’s the story that’s heard.
4. Operate like a professional. Return phone calls and respond to emails and texts. Finish projects prior to their deadlines and work generously with your team. Keep your desk area organized. It’s the little things that add together when someone is forming an image of you. Do these simple things and you will be perceived as proficient and professional.
5. Stop underestimating yourself and your ideas. I pulled up one of my favorite podcasts last week and had to giggle when I heard what the topic of the day was. All about being a good conversationalist.
As I had just that morning completed my free “Top 10 Conversation Tips” as a gift for my newsletter subscribers, I was curious to hear what my mentor had to say. I must admit I was tickled pink when his main points coincided almost surreally with mine. And he is one of the top referenced business and platform minds in the world!
Needless to say, I was reminded of this great truth. You know more than you think you do. So be bold. Be courageous. Sell your message with passion. Only YOU were created to do what YOU are doing. The more confident you are in yourself, the more there will be to share with others.
So this has gone a tad long, but I think it’s worth it to remind you that YOU are the most powerful person when it comes to creating your image and being taken as a professional. Try these tips and let me know what you think.
Question: Have you ever felt like people don’t take you seriously? Is your work ever minimized? If so, what have you done to overcome the mis-perceptions? I can’t wait to hear your responses!
Awesome Christy! I love this!