Have you ever felt that you had to become a bigger personality, play a part, or put on a mask in order to present in front of others when it was not authentically who you are?
A recent client, due to his communication skills, had reached a limit to where he could proceed within his organization. His boss needs him to step it up in order to take on more responsibilities and workload.
Fully capable in understanding the issues, and creating the analytical research and discovery, this client was being asked to propose and pitch with full presence and conviction to the executive leadership team on a regular basis.
As much of presence work is unfamiliar to him, he met the sessions with great interest and focus. This person is not a high energy big personality. He doesn’t need to be.
He does need to mirror the energy of the executive team member individuals he interfaces with – many of them with outsized personalities. We both agreed where he could concentrate his efforts to great effect – his voice.
Once he was able to more easily connect to himself physically, next it was critical to increase the power of his voice that will serve to magnify his energy and conviction. That’s where we focused our work sessions. By selecting and practicing the precise voice projection and vocal variation applications, these practices and exercises gave him the skills he was looking for – more dynamism.
It was vitally important not to force an inauthentic persona on this man. He kept much of his natural style and yet extended his powerful presence at the same time.
With gentle guidance into his full Presence, he demonstrated a remarkable comfort level. Not only that, with this comfort and presence, he was able to have a deeper impact on his listener. Getting into the space, and into his body, and out of his head, the connection was made.
Like my client you don’t have to play a part or become someone you are not. Foundations shows you how.
In Physical Expression, Part 2 of the Masterclass online training Foundations of Leadership Communication, within it you receive extensive Presence and Vocal work.
Click here to learn more.
Photo credit: Andy Makely, Unsplash
