Convey Self Confidence – Gain Respect

Article by Ian Russell

Has anyone ever said to you… push your shoulders back, puff your chest out, get your chin up, if so you have heard a few of the popular expressions people use to stimulate someone into making a good impression. These expressions indicate how important our bearing and body language are in imparting who we are to the world.

If you are fortunate enough to have been brought up in a family with the means to enrol you in deportment and elocution lessons, these would have taught you how to carry yourself with elegance and poise thereby conveying an air of self-confidence to those around you. It is more likely, however, that the majority of readers, and indeed the writer, did not reap the benefits of lessons in etiquette. While you don’t have to speak like Queen Elizabeth to convey confidence, body language and intonation is important and here is why.

There is a lot of truth in the old saying that first impressions count. In fact, within just 5 seconds of meeting someone we will already have formed a judgement that will affect our behaviour towards them. It definitely isn’t easy getting ourselves noticed in this hectic modern world and when this is applied to a job market which is progressively more competitive, making the right impression can make or break your chances of having a successful interview or business deal.

Where to start? In a moment we will look at what not to do, but firstly let’s make ourselves aware that self-confidence is a form of strength and that is why it is so attractive to others. Bearing that in mind, try to portray yourself in a way that avoids you looking inhibited or vulnerable. Some examples of this type of body language are: hanging your head, slouching your shoulders, or avoiding direct eye contact. These particular actions imply to others that you have a problem with self-belief. Whether it’s for an interview or a business deal, you don’t have to be Einstein to see that people won’t believe in you as an ‘

Tags: Confidence, Convey, Gain, Respect, Self