Speak without speaking, now that’s a mouthful! It never ceases to amaze me that we speak volumes without ever even saying a word. Body language is a huge key to projecting confidence when we enter a room, join a conversation, or stand off to the side waiting. Body language is one of the most fascinating nonverbal conversations we can have with people, but only if they are willing to listen.
Think about it, when have you been in a conversation and realized all of the sudden that the person you are speaking with has crossed their arms and moved back just a tiny bit? How about when someone is genuinely happy to see you and can’t wait to get to you from across the room? Are you even aware when people act in this way?
Confidence and enthusiasm are the two most persuasive nonverbal messages we can share with people and they are represented in our body language. Picture the most confident person you know, how do they enter a room? Do they come in quiet and shy, hoping no one notices them or do they enter boldly with their head up and a warm inviting smile on their face?
Even the most introverted person can become confident when speaking about the things they are most passionate about. With a little coaching they can learn some techniques to help them overcome their shyness, or at least make them a little more comfortable in a group setting. Add that to a great message and they become more confident about speaking in any group setting.
Author Jeb Blount shares in his book, Sales EQ, that there are some techniques we can develop and practice to build and demonstrate relaxed confidence and enthusiasm even when we feel the opposite. He says “This begins with managing your nonverbal communication to control what the stakeholder sees or hears when dealing with you.” Here is a list of nonverbal communications from his book. (By the way, I highly recommend you follow him and read his books!)
- Voice, tone, inflection, pitch, and speed.
- Body language and facial expressions.
- Sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, and the words used in written communication – email, text messaging, and social messaging.
- The way you dress and your outward appearance.
Working on our non-verbal communications is just as if not more important than our verbal communications. That’s why when working with clients we don’t just work on your 30 second message, we work on how to present and deliver it with confidence. For 30 Second Success clients, this is a real game changer. They step into their authentic message with confidence and enthusiasm because it truly conveys who they are.
Isn’t it time you “Ditch the Pitch and Start Connecting” ™? Work at your own pace whenever your schedule permits with our online courses that will help you identify your ideal client, craft your 30 second message, and maximize your networking.
Wishing you success!