Business Networking

How to Communicate Confidence

Written by Chukwuma Asala for Gaebler Ventures

How do you communicate confidence? This article will give you the tips and tricks to turn heads.

Here are a few key tips on how to be successful when attending networking events like seminars, conferences, etc.

Firm Handshake

This is the bread and butter of any business networking event. If you are not used to attending seminars and conferences with lots of people that you don't know, remember that you don't get a second change to make s first impression. Your handshake will tell a lot about you to people you meet. Remember to not be too firm and bring people to their knees by squeezing the existence out of their hand, because that also communicates a poor self-image. A very flimsy handshake with no firmness is no good either. Somewhere in between the two extremes should be just about right. Be aware if you are a man shaking a woman's hand that they are much softer and do not require as firm a squeeze, although some women have pretty firm handshakes if they have been in business for a while.

Steady Eye Contact

Nothing communicates instant confidence more than a person who can maintain steady eye contact. Steady eye contact tells the other person that you are confident in who you are as a person and want to get to know them. The very fact that you do not broke your gaze with them says that they are important and worth paying every bit of attention to. If your mind is elsewhere when you are speaking with people you will eventually get a glazed look come over your face so remember to focus on them. What you don't want to do however is stare. This is awkward and will leave them feeling uncomfortable. Just practice being comfortable looking people in the eye while talking with them. It is not something most people are used to or understand communicates confidence.

Smile

This is probably the most important habit to cultivate in your dealings with people. A slow and genuine smile is very welcoming even to the most introverted types of people. It is amazing how all you have to do is flash a genuine bright smile at a complete stranger and they will automatically smile back. A smile also communicates confidence but it also communicates warmth, an affinity for people, and a good positive attitude. All these things are traits most people like in others and by simply smiling you can let everyone know that you have all those qualities. Make sure not to make your smile forced because a fake smile is worse than no smile.

Have a genuine interest in other people

Developing a natural affinity for other people's interests is the simplest way to develop the ability to connect with different types of people. It is hard to find things that you have in common with someone that you just met without sounding like you're interrogating the person. The cool thing is you always something In common with every person you meet: their interests! Ask more open-ended questions about themselves to get them talking and then just listen. You will find that many people will become endeared towards you simply because not too many people ever take the time to listen to them.

Chukwuma Asala is an international student from Nigeria who is studying to earn an MBA from the State University of New York in Albany. He has analyzed more than 20 industry case studies throughout his education thus far, and hopes to bring some of his business knowledge to Gaebler.com.

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