Page 134 - Roy W. Rice - CEO Material How to Be a Leader in Any Organization-McGraw-Hill (2009)

You Fit In • 115

hands into your pockets. Stand with your weight equally balanced, knees
flexed, and arms held loosely at your sides so that you are free to gesture
while looking grounded and energetic. It may not feel comfortable, but
it looks comfortable.
How do you look ’em in the eye? Don’t divert your eyes. Focus eye
contact anywhere on the face that helps to avoid feeling like you’re
boring in on them but at the same time appears that you’re looking them
in the eye. When you watch the other person’s mouth while he or she is
talking, you’ll be listening and actually reading lips at the same time.
When you pause to think of a response, look over the person’s shoulder
rather than letting you’re eyes rove up and down and not maintain that
level-headed look.
How do you act level-headed? Don’t tilt your head to one side as if
you were laying it on your mother’s chest for comfort—or as if you’ve just
lost the opening football game of the season. Keep your chin parallel with
the floor and ears balanced over your shoulders. Instead of bobbing your
head in the affirmation, give one slow, deep, purposeful nod.
How do you rise to the occasion? When seated (with good posture),
ease your rear to the edge of the chair, and get positioned over your feet.
From the knees and thigh area, not the back and shoulder, rise up. Don’t
hunch over with your chest almost touching your knees as if to bow.
These are just four examples; there are a lot more physical descrip-
tions that suggest character, such as “His head’s on backwards,” “She’s a
lightweight,” “He’s a heavyweight,” “She sticks out like a sore thumb,”
“He’s under my thumb, all thumbs,” and so forth. Think about what your
physical demeanor, posture, and carriage say about you, and make sure
that they are what you want them to be.

Stand Tall Regardless of How Tall You Are

Visually straight posture is the quickest way to look confident. People who
exude confidence are, deservedly or not, viewed as competent, all of
which encourages people to listen to them and decide if they will trust
and follow them.