Recently someone asked me for a quick practical tip to help a junior manager enhance her personal presence. The simplest one that came to mind was that when you are in a meeting, be conscious of what you want people to go away thinking about you.
Once you know your image purpose, you will handle situations more carefully. Do you want people in a meeting to think you listened sincerely? Do you want them to think you are a fair and focused meeting leader? Whatever the image awareness you decide on, you will behave in a way accords with it.
Earlier this year I was working on presentation skills with a group of scientists. When I asked what they would like an audience to go away thinking about them after their presentation, one woman had an instant answer: ‘Oh, yes. I want them to think I am 10 years younger than I am!’
I rest my case though. If she thinks about that goal as she plans and delivers her presentation, it will take years off her age.
For some extra suggestions, here’s a practical article from the Guardian
