5 Ways to Improve Your Professional Presence

Do people notice you when you walk into a room? Do you get the attention of your colleagues or audience? In today’s competitive business world, a professional presence is vital to your success. This presence refers to how you control a room and affect the people around you. It’s how you communicate verbally, through your appearance, and through body language. Having a professional presence can help you stand out in a crowd of emails, phone calls, business meetings, and social gatherings. Someone who exudes a strong professional presence is poised, self-confident, and charismatic and they are quickly noticed by those around them. Developing a strong professional presence can help you achieve your professional goals and advance your career. Here are five things you can do to establish and enhance your professional presence. 

1. Dress Professionally

One of the first things people will notice about you is your physical appearance. What you wear and how you look does matter. This means it is important to dress professionally and make sure you are well groomed. There is a strong connection between the way someone looks and the way they are perceived. For instance, if you work in the finance industry, you want to look like someone who understands and can be trusted with money. Therefore, you are more likely to gain respect if you show up in a shirt and tie as opposed to jeans and a t-shirt. The fact is, one’s internal identity and exterior presence are deeply connected, so you want your dress to embody a professional presence. 

2. Pay Attention to Your Body Language

Body language can have a strong effect on your executive presence. You want to make sure that your body is showing that you are relaxed, comfortable, and confident. Start with an upright posture when standing in front of a group or audience. This will help you appear stronger and more confident. You also want to maintain eye contact so you can engage with those around you. Finally, be aware of your facial expressions and be sure to communicate your emotions through laughing, smiling, and nodding your head in agreement. The way you sit and stand will actually boost your confidence level, allowing you to command the attention of those around you. 

3. Stop Talking, Start Listening

The last thing you want to be is that person who keeps talking over others. If you want to exude professionalism, you need to learn to be an exemplary listener. After listening, try asking insightful questions to reiterate that you are genuinely interested in what the other person had to say. This helps to establish a more authentic and trusting relationship. 

4.  Be a Positive Force

People gravitate toward those who are happy, energetic, and positive. A positive attitude is like a magnet that draws people in. You want to be seen as someone who is pleasant to be around. Smile and show respect to everyone you encounter. Avoid complaining, gossiping, or being cynical. Your actions reflect your character, so strive to be someone who is positive and authentic. Being known as a person who is kind and likable will help you further your career. 

5. Make Others Feel Valued

Having a strong executive presence includes developing the ability to make others feel valued. Start by addressing people by their first name. If you don’t know them, perhaps they are wearing a name tag. Otherwise, don’t be afraid to ask their name. You also want to ask others to share information about themselves. Taking an interest in others is a great way to make them feel valued. Finally, smile and be courteous to others. When people feel valued, they are more likely to trust you and come back to you.