Tomorrow is your first day at work as director of a team in a new office. Now you will be managing 10 people that you have never worked with before.
You are up bright and early ready to face the day. In a couple of hours you will be meeting with your team to plot your strategy for the next quarter. You are like most people who are facing a new challenge, a bit nervous. You want to come across as friendly and approachable, and encouraging interaction.
Visual Presence consists of three key elements: appearance, facial expression and body language. It’s not about changing who you are, but about enhancing and framing your credibility to build trust and respect before saying a word.
Here are a few tips on how to be approachable, gained from my experience working with a variety of corporate managers and leaders.
What to wear is the first step
Select a colorful top, whether in a shirt, blouse, sweater or accessory (such a neck tie or scarf) in colors which suggest confidence and optimism: yellow, orange, coral, blues, turquoise, greens, and blue greens.
Whether you wear a jacket or not depends on the culture of your company and the climate. Most individuals prefer to have a jacket or sweater available to deal with air conditioning and temperature changes.
It is important that the outfit you selected has a graceful fit nothing too big or too tight and that all of the items are in good condition. You are now well dressed from head to toe without being overdone.
Do not overlook your fingernails, keep them short and clean. It is amazing how many times I have worked with clients who are perfectly groomed except for their nails. It’s a small thing, but says you pay attention to details.
Now you are ready to go the meeting. While traveling to the meeting visualize your desired results. Keep your thoughts positive.
Next is facial expression
As you enter the room you see that they are standing with their coffee and and talking. Walk up to each person with a warm inviting smile on your face, not an overly exaggerated toothy smile. Make good eye contact and extend your hand welcoming each person with a firm handshake. This will relax everyone and let them know you that you are sincerely interested in working with them.
And finally, your body language
Make sure your body language is displaying openness by angling yourself toward each person as you talk to them, whether you are sitting or standing, having an upright (but not stiff) posture with uncrossed arms.
Beware of self-comfort gestures. If you pay attention to what your body is saying, you can avoid putting up visual barriers between you and the person you are talking to. Holding a cup or a glass near your mouth can give people the impressions that you’re not interested in talking to them — appearing guarded and closed. Putting your hands in your pockets is often a nervous habit that can make you look like you’re uncomfortable in the situation.
I hope these tips help you become more approachable and attain your desired results. What other tips do you have for being more approachable in the workplace?
Leave a Reply