You`ve seen them striding through airports, at social functions. Even outside a workplace setting, they exude the distinctive air of
professionalism.
”They`re the ones who make you stop and say `I bet that person is important,”` says management consultant Debra A. Benton. ”They have an aura that sets them apart from the rest.”
That stand-alone confidence-or professional presence-is something that you must cultivate if you hope to ascend. Otherwise, you can wind up ”stuck, frustrated and angry at a system” that fails to perceive you as a serious contender for greater opportunities, warns Benton, who is based in Ft. Collins, Colo., and advises clients such as AT&T, Citicorp and American Airlines. Benton also is the author of ”Lions Don`t Need To Roar: Using the Leadership Power of Professional Presence to Stand Out, Fit In And Move Ahead” (Warner Books, $19.95).
”Professional presence goes beyond the `dress for success` suit, makeup and cosmetics,” says communications expert Connie Glaser. ”It`s the real power that comes from within.”
Luckily, professional presence is not something you must be born with. It`s something you can develop.
The best way to begin? Fake it, Glaser advises.
”Even if we feel tentative about ourselves we can`t allow that to be projected,” says Glaser, co-author of ”More Power to You! How Women Can Communicate Their Way to Success” (Warner Books, $4.99). Glaser, based in Atlanta, counsels clients such as the state of Georgia, Xerox and Showtime.
Here are tips from the experts on building professional presence:
– Get an attitude-and it better not be negative: ”Your attitude toward yourself, others and life should be one of good cheer,” Benton says. You don`t have to be Pollyanna, she says, to know that ”if you think the playing field is tilted against you, people will see it in your face.” A positive approach wins friends and helps quiet enemies.
– Banish disclaimers: ”Women in particular sometimes undermine themselves by using certain patterns of phrasing,” Glaser says. Erase phrases such as ”I know this idea might not work, but” or ”I know this may be a stupid question” from your vocabulary because they take away your
credibility, she says.
– Use a clear, precise voice: ”Some women tend to have a questioning intonation at the end of sentences,” Glaser says. ”When your voice rises at the end of the sentence it makes you appear tentative and lacking in confidence.” Another voice tip from Glaser: Use statements instead of tag questions when giving orders. Instead of saying ”Our next meeting will be on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. Is that all right with everybody?” simply say, ”The next meeting is Wednesday at 2:30 p.m.”
– Develop strong, positive body language: ”You can look meek, mild, nervous or scared, or you can look confident, competent and comfortable,”
says Benton. Look people directly in the eye when speaking, and resist nodding. Avoid standing with your hands on your hips, Glaser says. Benton suggests pausing, ever so slightly, before entering a meeting. The split-second pause gives you more status, and possibly more respect. ”You non-verbally announce: `I`m here, I`m ready. I know who I am and I know what I`m doing.` ”
– Initiate, initiate, initiate: ”Don`t wait for someone else to break the ice,” Benton urges. Other people likely will give you support when you take the lead, she says, and ”Although you may not actually control interactions, you at least start them moving in the direction of your choice and improve the odds that their outcomes will be beneficial to you.”
– Learn to ask favors: ”This is one of the toughest things for women,”
says Benton, ”because we`re trained to do, do, do for others.” However, asking favors allows us to make others feel important and included, she says. Asking a colleague to review a report you`re about to present, for example, demonstrates that you respect and value her opinion.
– Do it all with a sense of humor: ”You don`t have to be the life of the party or the class clown,” says Benton, but you do need to let others know you can laugh at life and all of its ironies. ”A sense of humor reduces tension and makes other people like you.”
LIFELINES
Strategic resource
The Planning Forum is an international non-profit organization for people interested in strategic planning. The Chicago chapter holds dinners and an annual seminar. For more information call 312-283-0699.
Career counsel
The YWCA of Du Page provides employment counseling for women looking for jobs, or who want to advance in their present jobs. Sessions cost $25, or $60 for two sessions plus a completed resume. Call 708-790-6600.
Search stars
”Key Women in Executive Search” is a booklet listing names of top professionals in the executive search field nationwide. It costs $10, plus $3 for shipping. To order call 800-531-0007.
Equity agenda
Pay equity is among the legislative issues targeted by the Black Women`s Agenda. Membership in the organization is $50 and includes a quarterly newsletter. For more information call 404-346-0710.
Worker`s bookshelf
”The Courage to Achieve” (Simon & Schuster, $20) by Betty A. Walker, Ph.D., and Marilyn Mehr, Ph.D.; ”The Jobs Rated Almanac” (Pharos, $24.95) by Les Krantz.
