How to build the right image to climb the corporate ladder (2)
4. POSTURE PERFECT: BODY LANGUAGE
Carry yourself well. The right posture and body language are extremely important. At meetings, enter the room as confidently as possible. Use the persons name to address them — first name if known personally and last name if you are meeting them for the first time.
Shake hands firmly, but briefly. Never apply more pressure than the other person. Sweaty palms indicate a nervous or fragile nature. Never shake hands across the desk. Men should sit with their knees together. Women should avoid crossing their legs, especially if they are wearing a skirt. If you want to make a point or make a man listen to what you are saying, show as little skin as possible. The more skin you show, the more a man will be distracted and the less he will remember what you said.
Sitting with your elbows resting on the arms of the chair conveys strength, while sitting with your arms close to body makes you appear defeated. However relaxed the business meeting, never fold your hands behind your head and sit or place your feet on your desk.
While standing, rest your body weight on your own feet. Never stand against or take support of chairs, pillars or the wall. Standing with your legs crossed over each other makes people think you have a hidden agenda or something to hold back. Standing with your legs slightly apart and hands relaxed on either side reflects confidence, dominance and power.
Briefings should be conducted standing and meetings while being seated. This opens rooms for discussions and gives everyone a chance to speak or say something. It also indicates that you are open to a discussion.
If you work with people overseas, make it a point to understand their work culture and social structure. Do your homework before you travel, meet or interact with someone of another nationality. Knowing and showing respect to their customs makes them trust you instinctively and they will always appreciate the effort you have made, even though they may not say so.
Carry yourself well. The right posture and body language are extremely important. At meetings, enter the room as confidently as possible. Use the persons name to address them — first name if known personally and last name if you are meeting them for the first time.
Shake hands firmly, but briefly. Never apply more pressure than the other person. Sweaty palms indicate a nervous or fragile nature. Never shake hands across the desk. Men should sit with their knees together. Women should avoid crossing their legs, especially if they are wearing a skirt. If you want to make a point or make a man listen to what you are saying, show as little skin as possible. The more skin you show, the more a man will be distracted and the less he will remember what you said.
Sitting with your elbows resting on the arms of the chair conveys strength, while sitting with your arms close to body makes you appear defeated. However relaxed the business meeting, never fold your hands behind your head and sit or place your feet on your desk.
While standing, rest your body weight on your own feet. Never stand against or take support of chairs, pillars or the wall. Standing with your legs crossed over each other makes people think you have a hidden agenda or something to hold back. Standing with your legs slightly apart and hands relaxed on either side reflects confidence, dominance and power.
Briefings should be conducted standing and meetings while being seated. This opens rooms for discussions and gives everyone a chance to speak or say something. It also indicates that you are open to a discussion.
If you work with people overseas, make it a point to understand their work culture and social structure. Do your homework before you travel, meet or interact with someone of another nationality. Knowing and showing respect to their customs makes them trust you instinctively and they will always appreciate the effort you have made, even though they may not say so.
5. SPEAK EASY: VERBAL COMMUNICATION
People who are secure or who are in power speak less and in short abbreviated sentences. This applies to public speaking, job interviews, business meetings and presentations. Never talk too much, unless you need to or have been given the opportunity to do so. Stop talking and that is normally when the listener starts looking away from you or indicates he or she has got your point.
While speaking publicly, look your audience in the eye. During a one-on-one interaction look directly at the person you are talking to. Looking away indicates a shifty nature.
When having a meeting over the internet, place the camera in front of you or at an angle that allows you to address the viewer directly.
It’s a good idea to text someone before calling them. This shows that you don’t want to be too intrusive and value their time. Never speak too long on the phone, keep your conversations as clear and short as possible.
Keep your mobile phone on silent and block your landline calls during meetings. Keep it silent as often as you can. Good business etiquette prohibit loud and unusual ringtones as well as caller tunes on your handset. If you get an unexpected call and don’t want to answer it, text to let the caller know when you can call back. Never answer your call if there’s too many background sounds — besides not being audible, you will give away your location.
Avoid answering or making business calls if there are children around, the TV is switched on or while you are driving. In fact, never tell the caller you cannot speak to them because you are driving — people who matter don’t drive but are normally driven.
6. WORD POWER: WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
Always write emails, memos, letters and all other communication in the language and style you are comfortable with. Pay special attention to your tone. It can change the meaning of what you are trying to say.
Your written communication should always sound polite. Read what you are writing before you Reading something aloud to yourself will allow you to make the right changes and edits. A spell check is imperative. Ensure you have the necessary politeness in place — a not too familiar greeting to start with and a gentle way to end. The last sentences should leave a channel of communication open. People will appreciate this and you will sound more willing to change.
Never mail on a Sunday — it’s the global day of rest. In the age of instant access to emails, your email is sure to arrive when the receiver does not want to read it. Emails sent on Sundays and public holidays — shows over enthusiasm and are not always taken well.
Yatan
Ahluwalia ET120722
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