Building Gravitas Through Communication and Professional Appearance

Pay attention to your personal presentation!   Especially now with the increasing emphasis on getting back to the office and resuming in-person meetings, consistent attention to non-verbal presentation and behavior matters. This includes your appearance and demeanor, verbal cues including vocal pitch, tone, rate of speech, grammar and diction, and overall attitude. Keep your personal presentation well-groomed and professional. You’re not only dressing to please yourself, but also—and most importantly—to represent your employer’s and your client’s best interests. The public has a stereotype of what a professional should look like. The more you deviate from that image, the harder you have to work to gain their trust. A negative first impression is difficult to overcome. Initial perceptions are impacted by your greeting in addition to your appearance. ·       Learn how to shake hands properly. ·       Smile genuinely and make eye contact. ·       Maintain an upbeat and confident attitude. ·       Always watch your etiquette, table manners, and grammar (minimizing “like,” “um,” and “you know”). ·       Avoid upspeak—where your tone rises at the end of every sentence so they all sound like questions rather than statements. This undercuts your credibility. ·       And always be kind. How else should a professional look and behave?   #careeradvancement #careeradvice #lawjobs #legaljobs #legalrecruiting   I usually post about job search strategies, the legal industry, and the California legal job market. For information on those topics, follow SeltzerFontaine LLC, and connect with me and ring the 🔔 at Valerie Fontaine.

Have you ever been anxious about speaking up in meetings?  Maybe you’ve tried but your input is ignored or dismissed by more dominant voices. Or maybe you’re nervous to say something because you’re new, you’re junior, or you’re not accustomed to speaking up. And yet, there are many situations in which contributing to meetings is expected. It could impact your performance review, your grade, your reputation. Whatever the challenge or obstacle you face, it’s a skill that is critical for professional success. Here are a couple things you can do to meet the challenge: Be prepared. Being well-prepared can increase your confidence to contribute and enhance your credibility. Get out of your head and shift to a team mindset: Think of speaking up as a way to contribute to better team decision-making. Research on collective intelligence has shown that decision quality hinges on a group’s combined intelligence, not the smartest person.   Seize the moment when there’s a pause: Research on turn-taking indicates speakers often resume after a 0.5 second pause, assuming that’s long enough for others to respond. So jump in when there’s a break in the action.       To amp up your credibility: Mind your facial expressions: In some professional settings, a persistent smile can convey nervousness, naivete or insincerity. Share your winning smile at appropriate times. Permagrins are great at weddings; not so much in business meetings. Similarly, be mindful that your facial expression doesn’t give off vibes of disdain or contempt. (I once worked with a guy who always looked angry in meetings. You know, furrowed brows, downturned mouth. Whatever he said came off sounding angry. When I asked him if he was angry about something, he said no, with surprise. I told him his facial expression conveyed the opposite. He acknowledged that his wife had given him the same feedback.) Facial expressions say a lot, even when you’re not speaking.     Mind your body language and voice: Envision what confidence looks like and channel it. Sit up straight, make and hold eye contact. Speak with conviction and clarity. Avoid ending sentences as if they’re questions.   Implementing these practices may feel difficult or inauthentic at first. It will feel more natural with reps. Speaking up isn’t a matter of authenticity; it's about honing a critical professional skill and contributing to the group. If your goal is to influence and have impact, communication skills are key.  What practices have helped you get more comfortable speaking up? #CommunicationSkills #ProfessionalDevelopment

Executive presence, deeply related to gravitas, has become a powerful tool for leaders seeking to make a lasting impact. It goes beyond mere confidence; it's an intangible quality that captivates, influences and inspires others. What are the key elements of executive presence, and how can it be unlocked and help to identify your true leadership potential? While not the main driver, confidence is the cornerstone of executive presence. It's about projecting an unwavering belief in yourself and your abilities that embraces your unique strengths, acknowledges your limitations, and exudes self-assurance in challenging situations. Confidence is a trait that people admire and inspires trust and respect among your peers. True executive presence lies in being genuine and authentic. People are naturally drawn to leaders who are transparent, honest, and unafraid to show vulnerability. When you can identify your values and align your actions with them, you embrace your true self and can begin to create connections with others that resonate with you and enhance your gravitas. A high level of emotional intelligence, or EQ, is crucial for establishing executive presence. To do this, you must be aware of your own emotions and understand the emotions of those around you. If you can't effectively manage interpersonal relationships, it will negatively impact your presence. Developing empathy, active listening skills, and the ability to adapt your communication style to different individuals and situations will serve every executive well. Effective communication is another critical need for executive presence. Mastering the art of articulating your thoughts clearly and succinctly is what can make you an outstanding communicator. Pay attention to non-verbal cues such as body language, tone, and gestures, as they play a significant role in conveying your message. Strive for concise and impactful communication that leaves a lasting impression on those you're speaking with or addressing. Executive presence is not a fixed trait; it requires ongoing development and growth. Cultivate a curious mindset, always seek feedback, and continuously work to refine your skills. Executives must embrace new challenges and pursue opportunities to expand their knowledge and expertise. They must do this in addition to managing and leading their business or profession. Gravitas is a potent force that distinguishes exceptional leaders from everyone else. When we commit to learning how to do it well, we can harness the power of our executive presence to inspire and influence those around us. Remember that executive presence is not about dominating or controlling others. It's about inspiring others to be their best. Pay attention to your gravitas and watch your leadership capabilities soar!   #ceos #leadership #gravitas #execution I help senior executives develop their gravitas and translate it into business success through strategy execution. DM me to set up a conversation.