Whenever you step in front of a group to present, you’re being judged on your confidence and competence.
Your audience is immediately sizing you up. They are watching you closely to determine if you have command of your business and command of the stage.
Carmine Gallo is the author of “Talk Like TED”and “The Storyteller’s Secret” and says the third key factor in making an impression in front of a group is trustworthiness. Can I believe you and should I follow you?
Here are Gallo’s five tips for projecting poise, skill and credibility:
Dress 25% better than anyone else in the room. Whether you like it or not, one of the first things we all notice is appearance. The old saw “dress for success” still applies. Dress appropriately for the situation, but plan to be slightly more polished than the audience.
Pace your delivery. Speaking too fast can harm your credibility. Imagine you’re speaking to a friend over dinner at a restaurant. Gallo says the ideal pace is about 180 words per minute – somewhere between an audiobook (150 words per minute) and a motivational speaker (220 words per minute.)
Replace long words with short ones. Use simple words. In his book, “Thinking, Fast and Slow,” Nobel prize-winning psychologist Daniel Kahneman writes, “If you care about being thought credible and intelligent, do not use complex language where simpler language will do.”
Rehearse under stress. Practicing under mild stress produces the best performance. Practice your presentation in front of people, rather than alone in a mirror. Simulating even low levels of stress will keep you from cracking under pressure when delivering the real deal.
Maintain an open posture. Use hand gestures that are natural and authentic. Having two hands, palms facing up, above the waist would be considered an open posture. A lectern is another barrier between you and your audience you may need to overcome. Demonstrate confidence by stepping away from the lectern (and your notes) and working the room.
You may have amazing ideas to share, but they will fall on deaf ears if you don’t look and act confident from the get-go. Cultivate composure to capture attention and gain followers.
Have a great week.
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