Everything you do is watched closely at work. Your body language and your behaviours are being assessed every moment of every day. People – your boss and colleagues – will see patterns in your behaviour and make judgments. So how can you manage the messages they receive?
1. Embrace your inner champion weightlifter
Send signals to yourself (and others) – so look, act, walk and talk like you actually run your organisation. People who clearly love what they are doing, who show it in everything they do, in every expression, are hugely infectious, not least to themselves. Communicate positivity and optimism, and do it often through a smile, or by walking with energy, or by standing straight and tall. People definitely notice. The Russian Olympic weightlifting team improves their results, after advice from Peak Performance author Charles Garfield, by smiling at the point of exhaustion (rather than grimacing).
2. Your mum was right
Never forget to recognise, encourage and thank. It costs nothing. Offer praise, celebrate success, recognise help and offer congratulation. Performance matters and celebrating the achievements of colleagues sends strong signals about your attitude and approach as well as adds to the feelgood factor. Make a point to search and seek out people to encourage and thank every day.
3. Perfect a polished appearance
If you look and dress unprofessionally – everyone will see you as unprofessional. You don't have to spend the Earth or feel uncomfortable to dress effectively for career success. If you look the part you feel more confident, recognise your own capability in your work and get the recognition of others. Most of us can't afford to change our wardrobe overnight but we can avoid unkempt attire – whether wrinkled, dirty or too tight clothing. Clean nails, shiny shoes and a good haircut all send good signals.
4. Smile, please
Avoid negative body language. Don't lean away from someone, cross your arms or legs, look away to the side, rub your eyes or the back of your neck, or (my personal favourite) fold your hands behind your head. Practice positive body language instead. This includes moving or leaning in towards people, having relaxed, uncrossed limbs, long periods of eye contact and genuine smiles.
5. Mind the gap
The gap between your words and actions can be fatal to career progression and perceptions of your trustworthiness. You may say that you want one thing but inadvertently send a message that you don't. It's good to be your own person but this mustn't be at the expense of your integrity. Decide what your values are and really live by them every day at work.
6. Be consistent
Acting consistently with people – whether it's big new client wins, client losses or simple mistakes – will be key to creating a positive impression at work. Figure out what your default work character is (as well as your default reactions) and stick to them. Work is a performance so unpredictability and ambiguity don't cut it – there is power and authority in your predictability.
Kevin Murray specialises in strategic communications, reputation management and leadership communications coaching. His new book is Communicate to Inspire, published by Kogan Page. He is chairman of The Good Relations Group.
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