Have you walked around the office and noticed that some people have an air of confidence to their walk, clarity to their conversation and a presence that motivates everyone in the room? Have you noticed that these people are the top executives and business leaders with strong leadership skills? Does their charisma leave you envious?
Glossophobia, or the fear of public speaking, affects as many as 75% of the population. Mouths dry up, vocal cords get tight, and sweaty palms are symptoms. Jerry Seinfeld once joked that at a funeral, most people would rather be the one laying in the casket than the one on stage delivering the eulogy.
When it comes to pubic-speaking, or any work related conversation, the way you conduct yourself matters.
Fortunately for you, with a little practice, it’s easy to develop good leadership skills and confidence.
5 Tips to Help You Talk like a Boss and Command Attention with Your Voice
- Own the Room
Good leadership skills take time to develop, but this is one of the easiest steps in the process. Stop passive behaviors like sitting in the back of the room. Confidence is infectious, and when you’re comfortable in the room and in your skin, you start to take ownership of the space you’re in.
Don’t falter by approaching presentations or meetings with the feeling of being tested. Keep your head up and act like you belong there—you’re not a nuisance or uninvited guest.
- Drop the Verbal Crutches
Most of us at some point or another have picked up a number of verbal ticks. Sometimes they are unintelligible phrases such as “um” or “er” that we use to fill awkward silences. Filler words such as “you know” or “like”, also fall into this category. These words undermine your credibility and draw attention away from what you’re trying to say.
Verbal crutches manifest when you’re having a hard time explaining yourself, or when you don’t know what to say next. Next time this happens, talk slowly instead. Deliberate and unhurried talking is a big sign of confidence. It also gives you time to think of what to say next.
- Don’t Give People Permission to Disregard What You’ve Said
When you unintentionally discount what you say with phrases like “In my opinion,” “I think,” or even “I suppose,” it’s as if you’re giving people permission to disregard everything you’ve just said.
Some opinions might be worth more then others, and you want yours to be in the former category.
- Emphasize the right words
Emphasizing the right words is important in speaking with authority. Don’t confuse emphasis with anger, though. Staying calm and never raising your voice is an important part of looking in control of yourself.
Here’s how you can do it: the last word and any word before a pause should be emphasized. For example, instead of saying “You should take a break),” it should come out “You should take a break.”
- Know When to Stop
You have a great conversation topic, but if you’re not sure when to end a conversation you might find yourself backed into a corner. Tacking on what we’ll call throwaway phrases, add little to your topic and in fact come off as weak. Avoid lackluster endings such as “…and things like that,” or “…and what not.” When you’ve said your piece, leave it at that.
There is only one way to talk with authority: practice, practice, practice! Finding even little opportunities to practice these five tips and your leadership skills will build your confidence and ultimately gain you the respect you deserve.
© 2015 Incedo Group, LLC
