How to give a winning performance
Recently I had the great opportunity to meet Karen Hardy, former champion of Strictly Come Dancing (and I even gained some dance lessons from her).
The most highly viewed TV shows ask you to vote for the person you believe gives the best performance, either through their body or voice. A person's ability to express themselves can win them lucrative contracts.
The same is true in every day business. When you deliver a presentation you are NOT there to give people information - this can be done by fax or email. You need to deliver the information in the most compelling, memorable or persuasive way. Your delivery must be much more than just words, otherwise there is no point having the meeting face-to-face.
So of course the way you use your body language and voice is absolutely crucial if you want people to 'vote' for your idea, your product or even your promotion.
Top tip of the month:
How would you like to feel confident knowing that your actions are the most effective and powerful for delivering your message? There is a simple technique you can use (as featured in our book The It Factor) that will make you appear and sound more inspired. It is used by professional actors to win the audience's attention, and it can do just the same for you in business.
People often think body language is all about massive actions, but the important things are much more subtle.
As you are reading this now, locate the middle of your chest plate. This is your sternum. The sternum shifts upwards and outwards when you feel inspired. You see this when people gasp with inspiration or delight. In reverse, when you feel dejected you will see the sternum droop, often with a sigh.
So if you need to make sure your colleagues or clients feel inspired by your message make sure you lift the sternum before you speak You don't need to thrust your chest out, just make a slight lift as if you feel proud about what you are saying. If you look it, you will start to feel it and they will be more ready to believe it.
In body language it's the small things that can make a big difference in personal impact. This is just one of a vast range of techniques that we teach to make sure you excel in this area.
