6 Ways to Look More Confident During a Presentation

As we are passing the halfway point of this semester, I have done great amounts of reflection on how I have improved since last semester. I have also thought about the areas on which I want to continue building on through the rest of this semester. As previously noted, I am a science major and tend to write many lab reports and work in labs with few people. As much as I enjoy cells and proteins, they do not give much feedback on my presentation skills. While I tend to lack in this area, it is still important for me to learn to effectively present information and speak publicly.

After giving our second class presentation, I have become more cognizant of non-verbal communication, or “body language.” This is a very widely studied area with a breadth of advice on how to grow this skill. I came across an article from the Harvard Business Review on how to improve presentation skills.

This article specifically talks about stance during a presentation or public talk. I struggle a lot with what to do with my hands during presentations. This article discusses “the box,” “holding a ball,” and “palms up” which I think may be some of the most efficient ways for me to actively use my hands effectively during a presentation. I believe the “palms up” approach is the best of these options, because it shows that you are open to opinions and conversation.

As I continue presenting in this class as well as for my research, I am going to work to incorporate these tips into my performance. I also believe rehearsing more prior to these presentations will be very helpful. At the end of April, I will be attending a national research conference. I am hopeful that being aware of my body language will help significantly improve my presentation.

If you are interested in reading this article refer to this link- https://hbr.org/2017/04/6-ways-to-look-more-confident-during-a-presentation

Tedx- Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are

With today's upcoming class about communication, I decided to look more into what non-verbal communication and body language is. I came across a Ted Talk from Amy Cuddy discussing non-verbal communication and its impact on not only others, but ourselves.

She discusses the "superwoman pose" which my friend had told me about not too long ago, but I had little knowledge to the extent it could actually work. Cuddy provides scientific proof of the effect that body language has on risks taken and hormonal changes in the brain. When we show strength in our body it makes us more likely to believe we are strong and can overcome the stressful situation in front of us. Many of us are prone to being hunched over desks, computers, and our phones, however, Cuddy's findings show this could have detrimental effects on how our lives pan out.

Later in the video, she discusses a car accident she experienced and the internal, mental pain that caused on her. As she was going to Princeton for her PhD. and eventually to be a professor at Harvard, she felt out of place, because she was told she was not as intelligent as she was prior to the accident. She kept pushing herself, and when a student told her they didn't belong at Harvard, she realized the importance of "faking it til you make it."

The major take-away from this video is the importance in reminding yourself you are strong and can be anything you want, you just have to "fake it" until you feel that you belong. So, before your next class presentation or job interview, take a couple minutes before to look in the mirror in a power pose to put yourself in the mindset that you're in the power position.

5 Ways to Build Lasting Self-Esteem

As the first unit in this class has come to a close, I have done some of my own research on the personal traits that go into a good leader. Primarily, I struggle with self-esteem and emotional intelligence. Interestingly, these both play on each other. While I tend to harp on my negative attributes/weaknesses, it makes it harder for me to understand how others feel in social situations.

While on the internet, I came across a Ted Idea article by Guy Winch. He is a psychologist who has focused much on self-esteem, mental hygiene, and other issues we all face at some point.

5 Ways to Build Lasting Self-Esteem - Guy Winch

This article focuses on five simple steps everyone can do to help our self-esteem and why self-esteem is so important in daily life.

1. Use Positive Affirmations Correctly
- For most, this is a daunting task. Over the last year, I have been working a lot on acknowledging my poor self talk and trying to turn those thoughts into something more positive. Instead of "Wow that was a stupid mistake I made," I can try to train myself to think "That may not have been a good choice at the time, but I can learn from it."

2. Identify Your Competencies and Develop Them
- Everyone has a skill, or skills, that they excel at. Whether it is school or working out or fixing cars, everyone has something they know themselves to be good at. For me, I excel in science, and I have picked a major that brings out this part of me and makes me feel good when I achieve something new, whether on a test or in research.

3. Learn to Accept Compliments
- I think this may be one of the hardest areas that may of us need to work on. While everyone loves hearing a compliment, some of us feel terribly uncomfortable when given them. I tend to not want to talk about myself or my accomplishments and when one recognizes them, I shy away from the conversation. I am an ordinary person, but if I can learn to say "thank you" instead of shying away from the compliment, I will become more used to receiving positive feedback and making myself believe that I deserve the compliment

4. Eliminate Self-Criticism and Introduce Self-Compassion
- This idea plays off of using positive affirmations correctly. Instead of being mad at yourself for a mistake or poor test grade, see the lesson in it. What is the major take away? What would you say to a friend who was going through a similar situation? Now yourself the same thing!

5. Affirm Your Real Worth
- You need to understand your worth for yourself and not let it be affected by the way others perceive you or by past mistakes. Winch has an activity to help regain self-esteem after a blow has been taken. If you did not get chosen for the job you wanted, write down a list of your qualities for why you would have been good in the position. Take a few of them and expand them into a 1-2 paragraph reflection on your strengths.