How much personal impact do you have?

Be honest. When you walk in a room do eyes turn in your direction or do they glaze over when you talk to people about your day or what you do? Can you hold the attention of a group and have them hanging on your every word? Or do they suddenly find they have to be somewhere else, or interrupt you mid-stream? Personal impact is important - no, it's crucial for success not only personally but also professionally. If you want to influence people, be an effective leader and achieve great results then you need bags of impact. Where does it come from and how do you get more of it?

When you are confident you are free to be yourself

Our years of experience in helping people to develop their personal impact have led us to recognise that the foundation of personal impact is self confidence. We believe confidence isn't about outward show it's about inner strength and self belief. If you believe in yourself you will feel more confident. Beliefs are created and reinforced by experience and thoughts. The way you think about yourself has a profound effect on the impact you have on others. You can develop confidence by talking to yourself in a positive way, making positive pictures in your mind and acting as if you are confident by taking risks. If this doesn't work, you may need the help of a coach.

When you are real you have impact

Being real is an important component of making a positive impact. People who are comfortable being themselves don't feel the need to conform to the expectations others and are often perceived as having presence. You can't be authentic without inner confidence. People who are confident act naturally as they don't feel the need to put on a mask. When your words and actions match, and that congruence is combined with confidence and conviction, you will have a magnetic personality that attracts people to you. Those who say one thing and do another rarely have impact, nor those who seek constantly to please and satisfy others.

When you have impact you have influence

Personal impact can be defined as ‘having an effect upon someone or something'. When you make an impact - positive or negative - people will react in some way. The secret of success lies in being aware of the impact you're making on others then adapting what you do to get the result you want. You will be more likely to ‘hit it off' with people when you match your communication style to suit the other person. When you make a positive impact you have a head start when it comes to influencing and persuading others to buy your ideas. You are more likely to persuade your boss to give you a raise or convince a customer that you can provide what they want when the impression you make is of a confident, genuine person who is ‘speaking their language'.

You need influence to be a leader

Whether we lead a team or not we are all leaders - personally responsible for the direction we're heading, motivating ourselves and attaining our goals. Once you're clear about where you want to go and how you will get there you are well on your way towards achieving it. Effective leadership is about walking your talk and practising what you preach. The more able you are as a leader the more influential you will become. When leaders create and share a compelling vision they inspire and motivate people. Visionary leaders think big and act with boldness. They know where they're going and the kind of impact they want to make.

The next time you're at a networking event, at a client meeting or delivering a presentation you don't have to suffer the indignity of watching people's eyes glaze over. What would it be worth to you to know that they're hanging on your every word? More and more people like you are signing up for our Personal Impact courses. To find out more go to www.speakfirst.co.uk/developing_personal_impact_oc.aspx.

"Excellent course, pitched at right level and very well executed.
I've learnt that I can change my behaviour and take myself out of my comfort zone."
Telesoft Technologies

"Very useful course - could have done with this a little earlier in my career."
Ernst & Young