Increasing Your Executive Presence on the Podium��as a Meeting Professional

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(Free-Press-Release.com) March 30, 2004 --

Aug 8, 2003, 13:10 PST



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Does your own platform presence enhance or sabotage your career success as a meeting professional? The next time you stand before you group to kick-off festivities, introduce a celebrity, or emcee an event, consider the following tips to create executive presence:



Tip #1: Concentrate on Your Audience Rather than on Yourself to Reduce Tension

How will your information or ideas help your audience to improve their lives or at least increase their knowledge? Learn to appreciate the energy this tension creates; think of the swarm of butterflies in your stomach as a wellspring of creativity pushing upward to make your presentation one to remember. Feel passionate about you�re about to share. Prepare well. Psych yourself up for the positive results.



Tip #2: Put a Smile in Your Tone When Appropriate

Nervous speakers often get so caught up in presenting information that they sound and look much too serious for the occasion. I have seen presenters explain the procedures for completing an expense report or overview the new wing design for their building as though they were delivering a eulogy. Of course, if your topic is a serious one, you may not want to look as though you are announcing a new bonus plan. But do take care that a �serious� tone does not come across as an angry one. Match tone to content.

Tip #3: Use an Open Posture to Invite Participation

On occasion, you may want to reduce your �authority.� That is, during a question-and-answer period when inviting feedback, you may want to appear more informal to encourage a dialogue. With an unbuttoned jacket, hands in the pocket, and perhaps even leaning or sitting on the side of a conference table as you talk, you can strike a more casual posture that invites discussion and questions. Casual, contrary to conventional wisdom, can convey confidence. Add open palms, outward arms, and movement toward the group and you�ll signal the audience that you welcome their feedback and expect them to be active participants rather than passive viewers.