“I feel intimidated when I talk to the company CEO. How can I communicate with confidence?”
“How do I project leadership presence in a high-level meeting with senior leaders in the room?”
“I get nervous in job interviews. How do I stay calm and composed?”
An expert in communication skills and women’s leadership, I get asked these questions often. And understandably so.
If you are a new manager, senior executive, or founder, whether you like it or not, your presence, impact and influence get assessed by your peers, superiors, your team, key stakeholders, clients and investors each time you communicate.
Similarly, if you have been in the same role for years, and are ready to step up this year, you want to have a hard, honest look at how you communicate: what impression do you leave? Do you pull people closer or push them away when you communicate? Do you know how to get the buy-in for your ideas?
Because…
Every meeting, every 1:1 with your boss, every presentation is an opportunity for you to build your credibility, showcase the value you add, and let the organisation see you in a different light.
That’s why, whatever your goal for 2022 is, it is quintessential that you exude confidence, clarity, and calm (all elements of the leadership presence) when you communicate at all levels.
Remote video meetings have brought a new level of challenge. Yet it is possible to communicate on Teams or Zoom with confidence, and in a way that helps you build allies, create lasting connections and grow your visibility.
That’s why today’s post is about how to communicate with confidence and clarity in high-stake meetings and job interviews – when it’s important for us to shine and showcase our expertise.
Here are some steps (deducted from the strategies we teach inside my signature leadership development programme for women, Elevate) you can take to communicate with more confidence in your next high-stake meeting:
Step 1) Define Your Intention and Goals.
In preparation to that important meeting or job interview, get clear on:
o What do you want to get out of this meeting?
o How would you like to be perceived?
o What is an opportunity here?
Step 2) Understand and Manage Your Emotions.
Check in with yourself: “How do I feel about this meeting?” If you feel nervous, anxious, or intimidated, see what your fears are. Once you understand your fears, normalize them and feel them fully in your body – as the first step to clarity and confidence.
Step 3) Take them off the pedestal.
We sound relaxed and confident with people whom we trust and see as our equals. Who do you sound relaxed and confident with? Your close friends, your husband, your kids, your team? When you feel relaxed, you naturally exude confidence and authenticity. To reduce your anxiety and nervousness, bring the person you are about to have a meeting with down from the imaginary pedestal you have put them on. Put them down at your level, using this influencing technique. If needed, remind yourself of the value you add, of your unique value proposition.
To sound confident, you need to feel equal with the people in the room.
Step 4) Put yourself in their shoes.
Think of the meeting from the other person’s perspective. What is in it for them? How can you add value and be of service? Jot down a couple of ideas, and, if it’s relevant, have key words prepared about your most recent accomplishments to demonstrate your point.
No matter what the outcome, this meeting is your opportunity to make a new ally, to strengthen a relationship, and to stay on the radar of this person for future opportunities.
Step 5) Embody confident, emphatic body language.
People make up their impressions of us within the first 7 seconds. Make sure that your intro is warm, and you have prepared an ice-breaker question. Your body language needs to be tuned in, showing full presence, warmth, and empathy. It’s important to dress the part, too, even in this remote meetings’ era. Call them by their first name, when/if appropriate. Project your voice, instead of speaking as you normally speak, if the meeting is held on a video platform.
Step 6) Slow Down for More Impact.
To sound clear, confident and grounded and to stay fully present during the meeting, slow way down. Avoid speaking fast, rushing and piling on the words – those mistakes are the give-away signs of your nervousness and anxiety, and show poor communication skills.
Step 7) Tap into the Power of Listening.
Ask good questions and then listen actively. You have much more power when you listen well, and show that you listen, vs when you speak. I teach the method 70/30 to the Elevate participants: listen 70 percent of the time and actively, and talk 30 percent of the time. This is a powerful way to build rapport and create connections.
Step 8) Keep It Concise and Clear.
Do not over-explain and do your best to get to the point faster. Not only senior executives are stretched for time, overexplaining shows poor communication skills. Spare the person in front of you of hearing all the details of how you got to that outcome. If they want more detail, they will ask you for it.
Find the full 10 steps and other strategies in my new artilcle on LinkedIn.
Effective communication is the most important skill in life.
It is the only vehicle that can build better relationships and results. Getting trained in this skill changes everything.
Read the story of Erin, who went from being a scientist to the CEO of a pharmaceutical company pioneering women’s health products, with my help in improving her leadership communication skills inside-out, designing a clear career roadmap and a powerful personal brand.
🎤 If you would like to learn how to lead and communicate with confidence, clarity and executive presence, my signature leadership development programme for women, Elevate, is currently enrolling, and we have a few places left. Inside Elevate, I help women design a clear career vision, build a powerful personal brand, learn to communicate with leadership presence and to influence anyone. ☞ ☞ Reply to this email with the word ELEVATE to receive more information.
Warmly,
Nadira