How do you CHOOSE to be seen and heard?
How do we show up and communicate the best and most authentic version of ourselves to the world?
This question has been buzzing around my head for years. It comes up daily in my teaching and coaching. Recently the buzzing has only gotten louder as I have been helping people to recognise themselves fully and respect their worth and value as they strive to evolve in their career, or develop their own selves to behave and speak in such a way that generates the outcomes they seek.
The thing is, there is no magic spell to cast, or secret ingredient we can add to our daily lives which will help us to present and communicate the best version of ourselves to everyone all of the time and yet I believe great speakers and communicators have something that can’t be taught.
When working with my clients I give them a tool box full of exercises, frameworks and actions they can access and draw upon as and when they want them. I coach them, rehearse them, help them find the right words, teach them all I know and then comes the game changer….
I say, ‘YOU CHOOSE!’
YOU CHOOSE
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YOU CHOOSE 〰️
We often forget we have agency and control over how others see, hear and perceive us and we forget to choose how we want to be seen and heard. Yes, you can employ all of the textbook techniques and utilise everything in the toolbox but none of it matters if you don’t choose to show up as the most authentic version of yourself. Choosing to show up with honesty and integrity can be daunting and make us feel vulnerable at times and yet, it is extremely liberating and profound; acting upon our power of choice in this context changes our own internal and external climate for the better. We begin to show up as we want and do as we want instead of as we think we should.
In The 7 habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen R Covey writes about highly proactive people and how their behaviour is a product of their choice.
“They do not blame circumstances, conditions, or conditioning for their behaviour. Their behaviour is a product of their own conscious choice, based on values, rather than a product of their conditions, based on feeling.”
He goes on to write, ‘Whether it rains or shines, makes no difference to them. They are value driven; and if their value is to produce good quality work, it isn’t a function of whether the weather is conducive to it or not.’
But does all this really matter?
Yes! I think it does.
In a globally connected world full of noise, a competitive landscape, moving at pace, progressing in front of our eyes we must take up our space if we want to be seen. The minute you enter through a door other humans are analysing you, working out if you’re going to be a friendly ally, a threat or simply not right for their tribe. This is human nature and a tough pill to swallow at times. When you want that job and need to build rapport with the panel at an interview or you want to communicate a compelling message to your audience, or be part of the conversation you must choose the version you want to bring to the situation. Nobody can make that choice for you; no one knows you better than yourself.
Once you have made that choice I will be there to take you to the next level of communication, helping you to look, feel, sound and be the best you can be so that you can reach your full potential, whatever that looks like for you. I have a resources page on my website to get you started, and I would love to see you at one of my training events coming up soon or simply click below to book a chat with me.
If you don’t want to wait, then you don't have to. You can get started with this exercise.
Today, I want you to start with your mindset; getting this bit right will help you find the words and behaviours you need, even in the most difficult of situations.
Here’s something I created for my clients a while ago, it’s simple, almost too simple it seems. Take a quiet moment, reconnect with yourself and think deeply about where you are now as you complete the exercise. Recognising your strengths and values regularly, affirming your capabilities, remembering what you’re grateful for and realising your impact upon the world is key to boosting your well being and proactivity. I give it to you with pleasure. Save this and revisit when you need a refresh and a boost, enjoy the benefits.
Audrie x
