When interacting in a professional setting, projecting confidence can have a significant impact on how others perceive your character and professional abilities. Those who appear confident are often assumed to be more capable in their jobs and more worthy of trust and respect. So how can you increase the amount of confidence you project? One key aspect is the way you speak.
Speak Up! While you don’t want to shout, speaking with a strong voice gives others the impression that you are saying something worth listening to. Speaking too quietly can make it seem as though you’re not fully sure of what it is you’re saying, or that you don’t feel it’s really important. If you don’t seem to have confidence in your own message, why should others?
Take Your Time: Take your time when you speak. Rushing through your words not only makes it difficult for others to understand you, but also makes it seem as though you are trying to get speaking over with as quickly as possible. Speak at an easy, relaxed rate, and give others the chance to absorb each point of your message as you speak.
Nix Fillers! Filler words such as “um”, “uh”, or “you know” interrupt the flow of your speech and can make you sound inexperienced, or even unintelligent. If you need a moment to gather your thoughts, rather than buying time with a series of “um”s, “like”s and “you know”s, simply pause. A well-timed silence can speak louder than words and can create an air of importance around your message.
Want to improve your communication skills and learn how to make the most of your professional interactions? Give us a call at 212-308-7725 or visit us on the web at www.corporatespeechsolutions.com and let our team of corporate speech-language pathologists help you turn your speech into your most powerful professional tool. Don’t live in NYC? No problem! Our services are Skype ready, so CSS can help you improve your communication from anywhere in there world.