Page 118 - The Voice of Authority

piece suit when everyone else is wearing shorts. Nei-
ther should you sport business casual when your
client’s culture considers anything less than a suit dis-
respectful or arrogant.
Look successful at what you do. Dress in the best
quality you can afford.

Body by Fisher

Plastic, whether Fisher-Price, Mattel, Hasbro, or Has Been,
is out. Poise and presence instill confidence in your words.
Make your body language relaxed, not rigid. Your posture,
movement, gestures, and mannerisms should command
attention when you speak but convey the message that
you’re approachable.
The larger the room or the audience, the bigger the ges-
ture or the movement should be to underscore your mes-
sage and connect with your audience. In general, gesture
from the shoulder to have greater impact—up, out, big,
away from the trunk of your body.
Your eyes convey the strongest message. Picture the clos-
ing two minutes of the presidential debates. The candi-
dates look straight into the camera as it zooms in for a
close-up. Just as actors, singers, and journalists before
them, they are told to “make love to the camera.” How well
they do it can determine the presidential election.

The Language

Your language reflects your credibility in several ways:

Word choice (formal, informal, inflammatory, pre-
cise, clear, specific, vague, general, profanity or the
lack thereof, word fillers, proper grammar, jargon)

106 The Voice of Authority