First Impressions!

Poise is being aware of your surroundings and being flexible and adaptable. Poise is not something you are born with or can acquire overnight. It is something you must practice daily.

Here are a few ways you can cultivate poise.

Everyone is dealt a very different hand of cards. There are things that no one can control, but how the cards are played is up to each individual.

Success in life is not about measuring the things that cannot be controlled, but rather about how people handle these situations and what they do in response.

Plans change, unexpected disasters arise, but successful entrepreneurs control their reactions, take charge and take action.

Practice manners and etiquette.

First impressions count when meeting with someone. Stand tall and act confident (even when you don’t feel it). Give a firm handshake, offer an enthusiastic greeting and maintain eye contact.

Always introduce yourself by saying your first and last name. If you forget someone’s name, don’t fret. Just say something like, “It’s been one of those days; please tell me your name again.”

Be mindful of how your behaviour affects others and learn the proper etiquette of dining and socializing. People notice your manners, whether you are taking a co-worker to lunch, networking in a crowded room, negotiating a deal or simply interacting around the office.

Become a better communicator.

When speaking to a group, talk at a moderate speed with constant volume; avoid drops at the beginning or end of sentences and make eye contact with your entire audience. Use good grammar and avoid the use of “fillers” like “um” or “like.” If you aren’t comfortable speaking in public, take a course at a local university or join Toastmasters. This will be the best investment you make in yourself.

When speaking with others, become a thoughtful listener. Always choose your words carefully and think before you speak. Although it may be difficult at times, be patient and don’t be tempted to finish others’ sentences.

Keep your composure.

I once worked with a colleague who lacked composure and was always in a panic. Though he had an advanced degree and lots of talent, he was unable to remain calm and thus made all his co-workers feel uneasy. He was often needlessly dramatic about the smallest of problems. He couldn’t deal with crisis and change so he ended up quitting.   

There will be times when you don’t agree with someone or things didn’t go as planned. Before you jump to conclusions, listen to what is being said. Before you get defensive or angry, assess the situation calmly. When others panic, a leader with composure takes a step back to connect the dots of opportunity within adverse circumstances. Your poise makes others feel safe, secure and comfortable in your presence.

Become conversational in diverse subjects.

The best conversationalists are great storytellers well versed on topics far beyond their own business and industry. To acquire a well-rounded repertoire of conversational topics through books, magazines and trade journals and talk radio programs. They attend classes, go to cultural and sporting events and watch a variety of movie genres.

One of my mentors told me, “School is never out.” Take the opportunity to learn everything you can and you will feel more confident and be able to interact with anyone in business and social situations.

Focus on the positive.

Be thoughtful of others and look for how you can help whenever the need arises. When you help others, they want to help you in return. That's the rule of reciprocity.

No matter how tempting, avoid office or workplace gossip. Be authentic, but don’t be an open book or spill your every emotion in words or on social media. Try to find the silver lining in all challenging situations. Unless a situation is life threatening, get over it and move on. Don’t sweat the small stuff

Overall, take pride in how you look, what you do, what you say. Do your best work each and every day. Brush up on your appearance and presentation skills. Consider yourself “on stage” any time you are around clients, employees, co-workers or anyone with whom you do business.

Disclaimer: The information on this POST is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional advice. The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this article is for general information purposes / educational purposes only, and to ensue discussion or debate. 

Thank you …Your poise will elevate you in the eyes of those around you.Thoughts become things, and as entrepreneurs and leaders, it is especially important that we remember to pay attention to our thoughts every day.

Your ability to stay motivated isn't just for your personal benefit; it affects those around you as well: your team, your investors, your families and friends. When you can stay motivated, everyone around you is improved.

The darkest part of the night comes right before the dawn. Before the light, we experience darkness; before success, we experience struggle and pain.

To succeed, entrepreneurs must be broken to build themselves back up. In the same way that muscles are damaged and repaired to become stronger, hearts and souls are hurt before they can mend and improve.

Want to add word or two? 

The truth is that workers in the modern day office don’t move enough. Anything we can do to improve that situation is not only going to improve office productivity as a whole, but it will reduce sick days, make people more resistant to colds and flu, and probably be more fun.

Healthy employees are happier and more productive. Isn’t it about time you gave some thought to being more flexible?

First impressions are lasting, especially in the career world, when an interview or a pitch can be your single shot at success. Your stage presence speaks volumes about how you are perceived, from the board meeting to the coffee shop.

Since your audience forms an opinion before you even open your mouth, your body language conveys more than half of what you are communicating. You have control over the way you carry and comport yourself and these mannerisms can help you own your self-confidence

Your comment ….?

Dress the part. Take stock of your professional wardrobe and make sure you are neatly groomed and wearing clothing that reflects the culture (and decade!) of your work environment.

Ill-fitting and sloppy clothing sends an immediate negative message to your clients and colleagues. Shoes should be polished and allow you to walk comfortably and well balanced.

Ladies - the killer heels look great for a night on the town but they will not serve you well if you are wobbly on your feet during the company tour or interview.

Distinguish yourself with professional poise and gain confidence and self esteem by ramping up your stage presence on the job. Owning the role of the polished professional will show the world you mean business..

Elegance as we know it is very rare indeed in the world we live in today. It was rare before, and even more rare now.

Ultimately the message we get across to others has very little to do with the words we use in any conversation.

Your body language; the tone, pitch and volume you use in your voice, the expression on your face when we communicate, these are all part of the non-verbal communication that reveals your true nature.

We can come across as insensitive and domineering, or shy and insecure. However, once we become more aware of all these innuendos and deliberately strive to achieve that elegance that is the hallmark of classiness, a shift happens.

Your lifestyle and your surroundings start to match your persona.

Your values shift to encompass all that you represent and embody. Now no matter what you say, do or express, all is in harmony.

Now there is no doubt in anyone's mind who you are and what you are about.

This, my friends, is what you want. POISE.