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Tag Archives: Margaret Smith business coach

February 21, 2024 5 Ways to Command the Room

Some people seem to have a natural presence that commands attention. When they speak, people listen and pay attention. Even in a crowded meeting room, they seem to have no trouble being heard. If you are not one of these people, this may seem like a skill that is beyond your reach.

How do you develop the confidence, poise, and presence to get others to tune in to what you’re saying? How do you make sure your voice is heard? Let’s talk about 5 ways to command the room.

Use Powerful Body Language

At times, your body language can say more than your actual words. To convey confidence, stand tall with your shoulders back, and make eye contact with your audience. Use hand gestures to emphasize your points (but don’t go too wild!) and try to remain calm and at ease. Avoid crossing your arms or slouching, as this can make you appear closed off or disinterested.

Speak with Conviction

Another important aspect of commanding the room is speaking with conviction. Speak with clarity and purpose, and project your voice (but don’t shout) so others can hear you. If you mumble or speak too softly, your message can get lost and others may think you lack confidence.

Control the Pace and Tone of Your Voice

To command the room, it’s crucial to control the pace and tone of your voice. Speak slowly and clearly, allowing your words to resonate with impact. Vary your tone to convey different emotions and maintain the audience’s interest. A monotone voice can quickly lose their attention (watch a few TED Talks speeches to see how the speaker varies their voice to engage the audience).

Practice, Practice, Practice

Preparation and practice are key to commanding the room. When you know your material inside and out, you won’t have to worry about stumbling through what you need to say. It is also a good idea to anticipate any questions or criticisms that may arise (and practice your response). Practice what you’re going to say multiple times to build confidence and ensure smooth delivery. The more prepared you are, the more effectively you can command the room.

Engage with Your Audience

It is easy to lose your audience’s attention if you speak at them and not with them. The best speakers are engaging speakers—ones who encourage participation by asking questions, seeking input, or sharing relatable stories. Show genuine interest in what others have to say and actively listen to their responses. This not only establishes a connection with your audience but also keeps them paying attention and invested in your message.

Keep in mind, few people are born with the ability to command a room. This takes deliberate effort, practice, and time. You might not nail it right away, but that’s okay! Keep practicing, pay attention to how others respond to you, and don’t give up. With practice and confidence, you can become a skilled speaker who commands attention and leaves a lasting impact on your listeners.

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE. 
CHECK OUT MARGARET’S ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE. 

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January 31, 2024 5 Terrible Communication Approaches (and what to do instead)

Photo by Headway on Unsplash

There are some people who are expert communicators. They are inspirational, motivational, and they have a knack for getting people to understand exactly what they want to convey. These individuals inevitably build trust and make people want to confide in them. We should all strive to become such excellent communicators.

Part of becoming a great communicator means knowing what to avoid–the pitfalls that make others close up or respond poorly to you. Let’s talk about five communication approaches that rarely work (and what to do instead).

Steamrolling Ideas

Good leadership means compromise, and sometimes that involves letting go of some or your ideas or letting others have a say. If you’re especially enamored with an idea or solution, it can be tempting to steamroll over others in order to get your way. However, this approach rarely leads to successful communication or collaboration.

Instead: Try to adopt a more open-minded and collaborative mindset. Listen to others’ perspectives and be willing to embrace alternative ideas. This not only shows respect for others’ opinions but also fosters a sense of teamwork and creativity.

Being Indirect

When communicating, being indirect can lead to confusion and misinterpretation. Indirectness can also be interpreted as a lack of self-confidence or uncertainty about the topic at hand. Instead of beating around the bush or using vague language, it’s important to be clear and direct in expressing your thoughts and intentions.

Instead: Be straightforward and concise in your communication. Clearly state your message or request, and provide any necessary context or details. This will help to eliminate any ambiguity and ensure that your message is understood correctly.

Interrupting and Dominating Conversations

Interrupting others or consistently dominating conversations can hinder effective communication. No one likes to feel small or unimportant. This communication style can make others feel unheard and disregarded, leading to a breakdown in communication and relationships.

Instead: Practice active listening and give others the space to express themselves. Allow others to finish speaking before responding, and show genuine interest in what they have to say. This promotes healthy dialogue and creates an environment where everyone feels valued and respected.

Using Jargon and Technical Language

Using excessive jargon and technical language can alienate others who may not be familiar with the terminology. This can lead to confusion and a lack of understanding, defeating the purpose of communication. It’s important to use language that is accessible and easily understood by the intended audience.

Instead: Use clear and simple language that everyone can understand.

Oversharing and Gossiping

Oversharing and gossiping can negatively impact communication and trust within a group. Sharing personal information that is unnecessary or irrelevant to the conversation can make others uncomfortable and can divert the focus from the main topic at hand. Gossiping about others can also create a toxic environment and erode trust among team members.

Instead: Focus on the topic or issue at hand and avoid sharing personal details that are not relevant. Be mindful of what you share and consider the impact it may have on others. Avoid gossiping or spreading rumors, as it can damage relationships and create a negative work or social environment.

To become an excellent communicator, it is important to understand what you need to avoid. Do you let any of these pitfalls slip into your everyday communication? If so, it is important to recognize these missteps and work on correcting them. Few people were born excellent communicators, but many can get there with a little time and intentional effort.

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE. 
CHECK OUT MARGARET’S ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE. 

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November 1, 2023 Resilience Can Be Learned (4 ways)

woman sitting with back to camera looking over mountains

Many people think that resilience, courage, boldness, and other related personal qualities are 100% innate and cannot be learned. But that’s simply not the case. While it’s true that some people may be naturally bold or buoyant, that doesn’t mean there isn’t hope for the rest of us. We can build our resilience or amplify our courage. These are life skills that can be learned (or improved) with practice, intentionality, and repetition.

But how do you go about it? What methods and approaches can you use to improve your resilience? Here are 4 ways to get started:

Create a Resilience Plan

In some situations, you know when hard times are coming and you have the opportunity to plan for them. For example, if you know a busy season is coming up in the workplace, or if you know your family is going to have to face some difficulties (extra expenses for a home remodel, upcoming health treatments, etc.), you can put together a “resilience plan.”

This might involve setting achievement goals and mapping out periods of time when you’ll need to buckle down to get something done. When you make your plan, be sure to consider how you will achieve your goals. For example, how will you make sure your pile of work is completed on time? Will you get up an hour earlier, block all social media, set timers/follow the Pomodoro method, or get help from an accountability partner? When creating your plan, don’t forget to build in rest time or down time. Intentional breaks can help you rejuvenate and improve your focus in the long run.

Take “One More Step”

When you feel like giving up, challenge yourself to “take one more step.” If you’re exercising, try to do just one more pushup or hold your plank for just a few more seconds. If you’re working on a project, set a timer to work for just ten more minutes. If you’re writing a report, challenge yourself to write just one more paragraph (or even one more sentence). When we push ourselves beyond our perceived limits, we are actively building our resilience.

Seek Support

Building resilience can be challenging, and it’s important to seek support from others. Surround yourself with a strong network of friends, family, or mentors who can provide encouragement and guidance. Share your experiences and challenges with them, and allow them to offer their perspectives and advice. Sometimes just having someone to listen to you can make a world of difference. Additionally, consider joining support groups or online communities where you can connect with others who are also working on building resilience. Remember, you don’t have to go through this journey alone.

Cultivate a Growth Mindset

Having a growth mindset is crucial for building resilience. Embrace the belief that your abilities and qualities can be developed through hard work, dedication, and learning from failures. Instead of viewing setbacks as permanent or personal flaws, see them as opportunities for growth and improvement. Cultivate a positive attitude towards challenges and see them as stepping stones towards success. Adopting a growth mindset allows you to bounce back from setbacks, persevere through difficulties, and continuously strive for personal growth. Remember, resilience is not about never experiencing failure or hardship, but about how you respond and learn from them. Embrace a growth mindset and watch your resilience soar.

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE. 
CHECK OUT MARGARET’S ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE. 

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