Another trick to have, but this is life changing. One personality strength that will dominate all others and people will have higher respect, people will lead if you follow, and you will be looked up to no matter how short you really are.
There are two parts to portraying confidence, one being presentation and two being the words and stories you present yourself with. There is the look and then the material. So what makes a confident look?
Sitting position and Standing position:
1. sit with your legs open, never cross over, figure 4 is acceptable. Let the chair become a part of yourself, lean back and open your arms around the entire chair. You want use up your space.
2. Standing should be straight, no slouching, chest out, shoulder relaxed, and if it helps press your middle finger and your thumb together by your side to increase a confident pose (trade secret). Finally, put a smile on.
Smiling is a huge part of confidence, because part of confidence is enjoying what you are doing no matter where you are. It is not just speaking in front of a 1,000 people, it is a presence that you command in front of a few.
Now what to say:
1. Make your stories present yourself with a high value. What I mean is add value to who you are as a person. Do not say your friends take advantage of you, or my jerk friend did this (then why is he/she your friend). Furthermore, create enthusiasm with your story, if you love what you are talking about make it known. “Get this, the most amazing thing happened to me yesterday, I was in an intense board meeting, I just love the pressure that builds under your skin and having to dead eye everyone in the room, when I went you to speak…” Act out what you are saying as best you can.
2. Do not lean into the person you are talking to, even if it is noisy. By leaning back and being relax you will ooze confidence because they will have to lean into you in order to hear what you are saying. This is part of power theory. You control the conversation by making them move towards you.
Try these tips out and see how it goes.
I will be making an instructional video on confidence and will post about it when it is out.
