Here’s what the best leaders do.
I have written/posted so much about UX design over the last year that it might almost seem out of place to see a persuasion link again. :) It’s time to fix that.
So this is a persuasion article that is good for designers!
Whether you are presenting designs for a new client or speaking at a wedding, or just talking at a job interview, your body language can communicate a lot about you.
Confidence, as a behavior, is not as intuitive as you might think. Actually, it’s pretty counter-intuitive, because real, genuine, masterful confidence doesn’t look big, and extroverted, and enthusiastic, the way you might imagine a cliché salesperson or a tv show host or a reality show star.
When you’re nervous, you will either be quiet and shy and sit in the corner with your arms crossed, or you will overcompensate with big, loud, unnecessary body language.
Confidence looks controlled, purposeful, and intentional. Confident people pause to think, they keep their gestures small and concise, and they always seem open and assertive.
Either way, people naturally follow confidence, and naturally pull back from insecurity and nervousness, so when you’re presenting to important people, it’s good to have some tricks up your sleeve.
The linked article helps you think about your gestures and your physical presentation style so you look more “in control”.
One good thing about confident body language is that it shouldn’t feel spontaneous and out of control, which means that you will look more confident you use intentional body language. Practice a little bit before your presentation, and include some of the tips in the link. By connecting those gestures with the things you want to say, it will feel more natural when the big day comes.
It doesn’t matter if you’re actually confident or not. Just take a deep breath, follow these tips, and tell the audience exactly why your design, or the happy couple, or this job is a perfect match.