Thursday, May 26, 2011
5 Sure-Fire Ways to Get Your Swagger Back
The other day, a friend was telling me about her workout at the gym while passively watching CNN during a treadmill run. Suddenly, there he was on the screen…George Clooney. It was a replay of the actor-activist’s press conference at the White House when he spoke about Sudan. She couldn’t hear a word he was saying, and it didn’t matter. His swagger said it all.
What is swagger? It’s a confident way of moving that non-verbally says, “Pay attention, what I do and what I have to say matters.”
Before the recession, many of you had Clooney-like swagger. You would walk into a room like a CEO and make things happen. You knew who you were; and told yourself you could do anything. Then, it all changed. Some of you lost customers, got taken down a peg by a co-worker, or inherited a dysfunctional team. In what felt like a blink of an eye, you were brooding instead of producing.
I’ve been there. There are ways to raise your self-esteem, get your swagger back, and get it back better than before. Swagger and charisma go hand in hand. Think of Jennifer Lopez as she strides onto the American Idol stage on route to her judge’s chair. Wow! Before she goes on, I can imagine her backstage telling herself, “I’m beautiful, amazing and loved.” Self-talk is a big component to getting your swagger back.
Here’s how:
1. Stand Tall. Height communicates authority. If you’re tall, accentuate it, own it and for goodness sake, don’t slouch. If you’re not tall, practice moving with confidence and wearing clothing that’s tailored to fit you. A clean line from head to toe gives the appearance of stature.
2. Walk Right In, Sit Right Down. When you enter a room, don’t hesitate in the doorway or bashfully poke your head in. Remember, you belong! And if you have a choice, choose any upright chair over a sofa, which can swallow you up in a single gulp.
3. Passionately Engage. Know these expressive tools:
• Wide eyes demonstrate interest.
• A very gentle nod indicates understanding, agreement, and approval.
• When you lean forward, your intensity and passion come across.
It goes without saying that a gesture doesn’t substitute for what it represents, but with practice, using these positive and powerful physical communicators can become a natural way of expressing interest, understanding and passion.
4. Evaluate Yourself as a Storyteller. Grab a friend and tell him or her how you see yourself. Tell a story about something in your life. Make a recording. Listen for “ums,” “ahs,” “you knows,” and other hesitations. Listen for repeated words and words you overuse. Do you sound stilted? Do you vary your tone and pitch? Does your enthusiasm and confidence come across in your voice?
5. Speak with a Smile. We are living in a time where business relationships can go on for years without ever having a face-to-face meeting. So knowing how to communicate swagger in your tone is essential. If you smile when you answer the phone, your smile will shine right through the lines. If you’re smiling, you’ll sound as if you couldn’t be more delighted to be talking to the person on the other end. An upbeat personality communicates self-assuredness, personal comfort, and a positive outlook.
Swagger comes from a place deep inside you. To reconnect with your swagger, go back in time to when you aced a presentation, won a project, received an honor or exceeded a business team goal. Now, stand tall, speak with authority and smile ear-to-ear from that place of strength. You’ll soon find your self-esteem growing.
Until next time...Lead like you mean it!
Marjorie
