Following the growing demand for global business activity in diverse cultural, political and social environments, developing quality people skills is a must for anyone who wants to reach out and share their ideas to the world. In introducing yourself properly, follow these quick and simple methods. You can even practice in front of a mirror for starters.
- Give a genuine bright smile; Remember that the quality and genuineness of a smile is seen in the eyes and not the cheeks. There are people who always have a straight face, and cannot even afford to open up and laugh at a simple joke once in a while. Practice smiling in front of a mirror and it will open up the other parts of your character that make other people receptive to your warmth and listen to you.
- Body language consciousness; You can easily be overlooked for an opportunity you’ve worked so hard for, simply because your body language didn’t convey the impression and quality of the words you said during the interview for that opportunity. Standing with your chest out (not too broadly though), inspires confidence. Your mind will respond to the consciousness and posture of your body and give you the confidence you mentally need to land that opportunity.
- Maintain strong eye contact during and after your speech; Avoid funny mistakes such as looking down at your feet, around or playing with your fingers. Also, use your hands a lot to guide the pattern of your speech, and for actions that emphasize and give consistency to your words.
- Show appreciation; to reach out and connect with more influential people, always show appreciation for the impact of their work in your life. People like to be awed by positive energy. Let your appreciation be honest and brief and they will lend you a listening ear.
“People don’t care about what you know unless they know how much you care.”
Theodore Roosevelt (American Statesman, Author and 26th President of the United States of America)
Practicing these three simple steps for starters, will no doubt take you through very nervous situations. Always remember to be spontaneous and practice speaking for impromptu situations. You may never know when your big break will come.
