Change How You Are Perceived With These 5 Steps

Success in the workplace is a team game. While your skills and achievements play a role, the way others perceive you is just as important. If you want to appear confident to your colleagues, an interviewer, your manager or even your customers, you have to take some steps to convey your confidence. Here are five easy ways to start positively shaping how people perceive you as you progress on your professional journey.

Stay Positive

Demonstrating negativity, either through angry outbursts or sulking around the office, shows a lack of control while repelling the people around you. You can appear confident and professional by keeping a positive attitude and an optimistic mindset. Positivity has a magnetic effect on everyone you meet, and it's also an essential leadership skill to help you climb the career ladder.

Engage Yourself

To create a positive impression, avoid being the person who walks around aimlessly and sits in the back of the room during a meeting or training session. Demonstrate that you're focused and engaged by choosing a seat at the front of the room, listening attentively, and picking up your workplace walking speed by 25 percent.

Harness the Power of Your Words

Your speech plays a major role in how others perceive you. For instance, using affirmative words such as "I will" and "I can" creates a stronger impact than wishy-washy language such as "I don't know" or "I'll try." Choose words and phrases that convey your excitement or motivation, but if you want to appear confident, avoid speaking too quickly without pausing, as this can make you seem anxious or afraid.

Don't Be Afraid to Ask

Asking for a raise, a new job responsibility, or a favor from a co-worker can seem tough. On the other hand, letting others know what you want makes you appear confident and assertive. Don't be afraid to make requests, even if they don't always give you the results you want. As long as you only ask when it's fair, people are likely to respect you for stepping up.

Boost Your Posture

When you're feeling insecure, you might naturally contract your posture by crossing your legs, slumping in your chair and slouching your shoulders. To appear confident, think about taking up more space. Sit up in your chair with chin held high and shoulders pushed back, and even rest an arm over the seat next to you to project your presence more strongly, which tells people around you that you're sure of yourself.

There are multiple factors involved when trying to make a positive impression, but these five tips are a solid start. What are a few other ways to appear confident that can boost others' perception of you in the workplace? Share your ideas in the comments below.

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