Here are 4 skills and behaviors that will make you appear more dyynamic.
1. Express your feelings assertively. A vital tactic for appearing more
dynamic is to express your feelings in an open, constructive, and candid manner.
Visualize the scenario of a staff meeting in which the participants are weighing
the pros and cons of a proposal. Most people make fact-oriented stateements such
as, "I see some merit in this idea. It could be cost-effective in the short
range," or "This proposal has a lot of weaknesses. I doubt it will bring about a
suitable return on investment."
In contrast to the emotionally neutral statements just made, the dynamic person
will project feelings about the proposals. To exhibit personal dynaamism, make a
statement such as, "Your proposed solution really excites (great feeling word)
me. The idea would pay for itself in no time, and we would all be very proud
[another great feeling word]. If you disliked the proposal you might state:
"This proposal has a lot of weaknesses that really worry (a strong feeling word)
me. It will most likely backkfire [a word that provokes feelings in others], and
lose money [an explicitly bad state of affairs]."
2. Use animated facial expressions. Facial blandness innterferes with
appearing dynamic and selfdent. To exhibit personal dynamism, it is essential to
make frequent use of animated facial expresssions. Use big smiles, little
smiles, expressions of delight, frowns, scowls, looks of puzzlement and
surprise, and reassuring nods. Animated facial exxpressions are also useful for
purposes of projecting leadership characteristics.
To develop animated facial expressions, practice in front of a mirror or a
camcorder. Videotaping is slightly better than a mirror because many people find
it difficult to modify their facial expressions when looking into a mirror.
Think of various moods you want to project, and then do your best to match your
facial expression to the mood.
If you need some guidelines for matching facial expressions to your mood,
emulate television ac?tors, actresses, newscasters, newsmakers, and espe?cially
comedians. Or model a business person who you think has effective facial
expressions.
3. Talk with optimism. Optimistic people, almost by definition,
project an image of self-confidence and dynamism. It will not be necessary to
overhaul your personality if you are naturally pessimistic. Nevertheless, you
can learn to keep some of your pessimistic thoughts to yourself and search for
op?timistic comments to fit each situation. When you have struggled through a
rough assignment and finally completed it, talk about how you have ben?efited
from the experience and will do even better next time. When you have barely met
your quota, don't apologize. Talk positively about how you overcame unforeseen
hurdles and squeaked through to acc,omphsh your goals.
A key facet of projecting optimism is to look for the positives in what other
people perceive to a nega?tive event.
4. Look and act powerful. An indispensable part of pro?jecting
personal dynamism is to look and act pow?erful. Looking powerful is more subtle
than would appear on the surface. If you take literally the ad?vice of wardrobe
consultants, you will look like a sales associate in a posh retail store or like
a young professional in most metropolitan offices. On the other hand, if you
ignore conventional wisdom about looking powerful you risk looking unimport?ant
and lacking dynamism in the eyes of others.