Watch your Mouth…

By: Demetria Pappas and Lisa Iadicicco

February has MMI focusing on watching and using the right body language to communicate.  We are all brilliant women with compelling ideas to contribute to our organizations and businesses. Using the right body language today may be the best way you can better yourself in business and lead yourself in a better 2012.

The best way to communicate effectively is to keep your body language consistent with your words. Confidence is key. Conveying confidence is the strongest message you can send with words and mannerisms.

As women, we must always be mindful of how we are sitting, and holding our body and using facial expressions.  Practice the following tips to become and look more confident:

1. Practice smiling while speaking, but not too much. Smiling too much can be misleading. At times, you might not be taken seriously.
2. Make lasting eye contact when negotiating.
3. Keep your hands away from your face and hair.
4. Drop the “just” and “actually” when speaking. The word just demeans what you have to say. It deflates your power. The word “actually” communicates a sense of surprise when we have something to say. So unless you are surprised, skip the word “actually”.
5. Do not start sentences with negative phrases.
6. Don’t nod your head incessantly. It sends the message that you are asking for sympathy.
7. Don’t say this will “only take a minute”. That phrase in a presentation sounds apologetic and implies that you do not think what you are about to say is worthy of time and attention.
8. Do not raise the pitch of your voice at the end of a sentence. Speaking a statement like a question diminishes its power.

Call on Mother, May I for additional advice. We welcome all comments and love to hear about things that annoy you. Email MMI at mmipgh@gmail.com–or pick up the phone to talk-412-531-2050.

Demetria Pappas and Lisa Iadiciccoare the Co-founders of Mother, May I-a premier company that trains and teaches proper behavior, common courtesies and social skills updated. MMI is licensed to train professionals in Protocol and Corporate etiquette.  MMI provides customized presentations for all audiences. MMI’s Mission  is to share valuable information for everyone to improve their world–“Changing your manners, may change your world”