Over the next few weeks, I’ll be introducing you to the second step in my four-step process: PROJECT.
This second step helps you to portray the character you are using full communication: your voice, gestures, facial expressions, and your body language.
If you’re interested in getting a sneak peek of each step, stick around, I’ll be sharing a bit of each step over the next few months.
Or, to get access to my audio training that shares exactly how you can use each part of my process start here: lindasherwin.com/beheard
Now when it comes to “projecting” your character, don’t go crazy!
Often, clients will think it means getting in someone’s face or being bigger than life! That is not the case.
What this step in the process means is that all aspects of you are sending the same message. This congruency eliminates the chance for miscommunication. Now, while you may think you are always in harmony with what you are saying, often your tone of voice or body language may portray something else. I’ve mentioned before all the thoughts which are going through your mind at any time. Those thoughts may be triggering a facial expression or tone of voice which is not in keeping with your current communication.
There are a lot of things that come into play in this step. When I am assessing a client, here are all the things I look at, both the non-verbal and the verbal communications: Arms, hands, shoulders, legs, feet, full gestures, body movement, mouth, eyes, brow, full facial expressions, words, articulation, diction, rhythm, timing, phrasing, tone, and projection.
Clients often ask, “Am I really doing ALL of that when I communicate?” And the answer is – yes, you are! It looks like a lot! But up until now, you have been doing it subconsciously for the most part. What I help you do is to become consciously aware of all these traits so that you will use them appropriately to your advantage.
Also, keep in mind that you are often in a position of making that first impression which as I mentioned earlier, can be anywhere from one-tenth to seven seconds. You don’t want that hectic ride to the client’s office be fresh in your mind and have that be what you communicate in an important meeting.
By being fully aware of the non-verbal and verbal communication cues that best fit the needed role, and practicing it, can you truly “project” what I call “full communication.”