How to Project Authentic Confidence at Work

After analyzing my early speaking coaching clients… 3 flaws emerged over & over. Fix these to grow your credibility at work. 👇 When I started coaching in 2018, I didn't see it. But over time, patterns of feedback emerged. I was doing my first workshop in 2019 and in prep for that, I looked at the feedback for my first 50 clients. People were getting the same things wrong. When they fixed them, their credibility (and their impact) went up dramatically! The session was called: "Good delivery - from Seeing it Done Wrong." If you're... a data analyst, a salesperson, a consultant, a leader, a teammate, a Director, an Executive or anyone in the workplace. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗙𝗶𝘅 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆: If you want to be seen as a leader when you speak, these habits instantly improve your credibility & presence: 1️⃣ 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀. (92% aka 46/50) “Um…” “Uh…” “Like…” "So..." "Ya know" "Right?" Why it matters: When they get excessive, it limits your impact. A few is fine. But if someone starts counting yours... you're done! Most people are UNAWARE how many they use. Here’s how to cut them out: ✔️ Use Pauses. Half-second stops. ✔️ Breathe first, then speak words. Calm voice = clear voice. ✔️ Use transition statements. “So what that means is…” helps you stay fluid and structured. Check yours by recording a work conversation. Listen back. ❌ More than 4 per minute 💡 Practice in every conversation, every day. ✅ Most people fix it in a week. 2️⃣ 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲. (60%) The best communicators don’t read slides... and don't just regurgitate info. An expert talks about things CONVERSATIONALLY. They sound like they own the topic. They speak 'with' you, not 'at' you. So how do you implement this: Ditch the script. Internalize your key storyline. Memorize less. Land your energy at a 6... like you like the topic. That’s what real leaders sounds like. 3️⃣ 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝘆𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁. (50%) You’re likely looking away more than you realize. (or only at your slides). Many of us do it. (I’m guilty of it too.) We glance up while thinking… look at our slides to avoid 'staring eyes'. But we need to increase our eye-contact. Why this matters: Trust is built when you look people in the eyes. Implement these 3 in the next 2 weeks and watch your street cred grow! If you found these helpful... (or you know someone who needs these 😅) would you give it a 💡,👍, or repost it ♻️so others see it? Follow me for more practical communication tips for work based on coaching 300+ business professionals over the last 6+ years.

Managers intimidated me at the start of my HR career.   I was younger. Less experienced. And had usually been with the org for less time.   But I needed to level up and communicate with confidence.   Are you wanting to do the same? ⬇   Here are 4 tweaks you can make to increase your confidence:   ✅ Adapt Your Style   Establishing credibility with managers can be difficult. Before interactions, do your homework. Then adapt your communication style accordingly.   Are they a data-obsessed manager? Arm yourself with spreadsheets and numbers.   Do they approach their meetings with creativity and humor? Sprinkle both into your presentation.   This is true no matter the stage of your career.   But it's especially effective when you're working to establish a reputation for yourself.   ✅ Stay Calm   This is easier said than done.   In reality, you probably will get rattled. You just can't show that you're rattled.   It takes practice.   The best way to get started on this?   Speak slower.   Measured speaking communicates confidence. And helps ensure well thought-out responses.   ✅ Listen with Empathy   You might get nervous to the point that listening becomes secondary. Fight against this.   Being able to listen closely is crucial to adapting your communication.   The empathy part takes your listening to the next level.   Overlay active listening with empathy to ensure your responses are on point.   ✅ Ask Questions   Show you understand the topic at hand. While seeking to gain knowledge and grow your understanding further.   It's a great opportunity to learn.   And managers will respect your interest and effort. You don't have to be intimidated by managers like I was. Level up and communicate with confidence.   ---------------------------------------------------------   I share career growth and high-impact business tips for HR professionals.   Follow me for practical, positive tips to grow your HR career!

In business we think we have to project an image of total certainty in order for people to buy from us.   We also think we have to know all the answers for our team to respect us. Neither of these are true. But because we think they are, sometimes we feel inauthentic and doubt ourselves. That’s what keeps you from maximizing your potential. It’s not your education or your bank account or your market. It’s the deadly doubt. The hidden worry that people might "find out." The first thing to know is everyone feels that way sometimes. The second thing is that feelings aren’t facts. The feeling of doubt comes from specific types of thoughts, like thinking we have to be certain and know all the answers. Remind yourself you always do the best you can given your current situation. Maybe occasionally you’re distracted because your kid's in trouble at school, or you're tired because your partner’s been sick, but that’s the reality of life. You still can feel good about always doing the best you can, given the situation. And that’s all you can ask of yourself. You can even feel confident without feeling certain, because confidence comes from within. Confident leadership means you’re comfortable with uncertainty because you believe in your ability to get things done through other people. You don’t have to know all the answers. You just have to ask the right questions. You can choose to believe in your team and in your ability as a leader to set priorities, allocate resources, and evaluate results. You’re on the planet to express your zone of genius. To find and demonstrate your unique ability, not to be perfect. Be confident being your authentic self. Authenticity in business begins by letting people see the real you. Say what you really mean. Worry less about how you look. Be willing to say, “I don't know,” and ask people to help you. Ditch perfection. It’s a barrier to authenticity because it’s not real. We’re all having a temporary human experience on this planet. The greatest gift you can give the world and other people is your true self. #mindset #founders #consciousness #entrepreneurs

A senior leader once told me, “I need to project more confidence, but I don’t want to come off as arrogant.” It’s a common tension. Many think executive presence is about being the loudest or the smartest in the room. But true presence is quieter than that. It’s rooted in groundedness, not dominance. Confidence doesn’t live in your volume or your title. It lives in your breath. In your ability to listen fully before responding. In how you own your space without needing to prove anything. Arrogance pushes. Presence holds. When I work with emerging execs, we often start with physical awareness—feet planted, shoulders relaxed, stillness in the body. Then we add clarity—of thought, of intention, of purpose. From there, presence emerges. Not as a performance, but as a congruence between who you are and how you show up. You don’t have to posture. You don’t have to pretend. The trust of others grows when you trust yourself enough to be real. What would it take for you to lead this way?

Today on LinkedIn, I found myself drawn to a different post altogether, but something struck me—a topic that needs addressing: Confidence. Confidence: it's that intangible quality that can make or break us. Some say you either have it or you don’t. Others wrestle with the ever-present imposter syndrome. How do you remain humble yet exude confidence? It's a delicate balance, but a necessary one. In the realm of sales, confidence is paramount. Whether you're an Account Executive closing deals or seeking your next job opportunity, confidence is non-negotiable. If you don't believe in yourself, how can you expect others to believe in you or your product? So, how do we strike that delicate balance? Here are a few strategies that have worked for me: ✔ Be factual: Ground yourself in knowledge and facts. When you know your stuff inside and out, confidence naturally follows. 📖 Share a story: Nothing resonates quite like a compelling narrative. Share your successes, your challenges, and the lessons you've learned along the way. Authenticity breeds confidence. 👀 Look people in the eye: There's something powerful about maintaining eye contact. It shows conviction and sincerity—a surefire way to boost confidence in both yourself and your audience. 🎶 Pay attention to your voice inflections: The way you speak can convey volumes about your confidence level. Practice speaking with clarity, conviction, and enthusiasm. Your voice is your greatest tool. Confidence is indeed an art and a science—a delicate dance that requires finesse. But with practice and perseverance, we can all find our stride. Let's step confidently into our endeavors, armed with knowledge, authenticity, and unwavering belief in ourselves. The world is waiting for what we have to offer. I'd love to hear about your experience. What helps you show up with confidence? #Confidence #Sales #Authenticity #BelieveInYourself