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Talk slower and less while listening and observing more
Not talking.
In all honesty, I made myself close my mouth when I wanted to jump in, avoided repeating myself or colleagues, spoke when I had something meaningful or impactful to add and paused more often.
Now it is different for everyone as there are multiple components of gravitas and some are based on that first impression. So also make sure you get the basics right - look the part (clothes that fit and wrinkle free, shoes, grooming) and act the part (confident body language, no fidgeting, no ummms or like, etc). Then work on messaging.
Some of my counsleees attended “speakeasy” which I found helped them be more aware of some of the above. But I think you could achieve similar results by videotaping yourself as you talk . It’s brutal seeing yourself on tv.
Good luck!
Videotape yourself. Keys for me:
Land eye contact with audience (if in person)
Don’t be afraid to take long pauses.
Know the story you’re trying to tell. Rehearse in front of a mirror.
Avoid gimmicks. Do not plant questions, everyone knows it’s a plant and it immediately taints the whole thing as insincere and disingenuous.
I’ve found this Ted Talk from Julian Treasure to be a pretty good primer on speaking. The second half is particularly good for how to use your voice differently. Many folks I’ve worked with tend to speak like a PowerPoint slide full of 7-point font. Slow it down. Ask questions. Pause. Create variety. https://www.ted.com/talks/julian_treasure_how_to_speak_so_that_people_want_to_listen/up-next
Attending and then teaching multiple effective presentation trainings helped me a lot to be confident in the C-suite and beyond
“There are dinner jackets and dinner jackets. This is the latter.”
I am not suggesting to be a mute. Listen more, engage them more, then talk and only say what is meaningful.
I switched from wearing pants to exclusively wearing a kilt. People tell me it adds a certain je ne c’est quois
P1 and P2 - How can you afford to talk less when you are presenting to the C-suite or executive leadership? If you talk less, you may come across as a person for the a client may be paying top dollar but who doesn't know jack.
Understanding the content and having tangible experiences to reference. Speaking becomes easier when you are master of your domain
Agree with P2, it’s about setting the stage and knowing when you have something worth throwing into the pot It’s also about asking the question in an open, unassuming way, without leading the witness and then watching (and listening) as it unfolds.
Also, be willing to admit when you don’t know everything and when you need to bring others to the table
Slowing down, watching myself on tape, using strong body language, and KNOWING MY AUDIENCE.
Pro tip, if you are a person whose voice goes up at the end of a sentence as if you’re asking a question, but you’re not, work hard to stop that. It comes across as young and inexperienced to your audience
Confidence -J
Pauses to replace questions and transitions.