If you routinely notice people tuning you out, gazing around the room or even questioning others to be sure what you've said is correct, you may need to learn speak with confidence to make yourself more authoritative. With a little practice and a new attitude, you'll soon be speaking with conviction.
Instructions
1. Prepare for your speech or conversation to ensure you're knowledgeable enough about the subject and audience to speak with authority. Bring notes if "winging it" causes you to forget important facts or undermines your confidence. Even if you're just heading to a dinner party, find out about the guests' interests so you can contribute some small talk.
2. Listen intently to the person you're talking to so you can answer questions, address their concerns or introduce new topics. Allow the person to complete their thought or question before thinking of your answer instead of tuning them out halfway to formulate what you're going to say.
3. Organize your thoughts before you speak or even ask for a moment to clarify your thoughts so you won't end up rambling when you answer a question. If you're unsure of a fact when communicating in a business setting, acknowledge that you'd like to check a source rather than delivering questionable information that could undermine your credibility.
4. Use body language, gestures and pregnant pauses to help make what you say more authoritative and dramatic. Be aware of your facial expressions so you don't convey anger, boredom or nervousness. Speak with sincerity and passion to make others take notice.
5. Make a self-deprecating joke if you flub a line or say something you didn't intend to. If you can't think of a good way to handle the misstep, keep your emotions under control and simply move on. Put it out of your mind to maintain your composure and confidence for the rest of the meeting.
Tags: more authoritative, speak with, your thoughts