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[bctt tweet=”In a professional setting especially, it is important to display confidence at all times – @saweelar ” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”]

I cannot count how many times I have been told that I have a really good handshake! And most of the times, its men who tell me this. Perhaps its because they are not used to women having strong handshakes, in general – which, unfortunately, is quite true.

The truth is, I have encountered handshakes from women that I can only describe as ‘watery’. The women seemed very shy and reluctant. But why?

In a professional setting especially, it is important to display confidence at all times. It may just land you that job by distinguishing you from the rest. It’s the little things that we take for granted that make a difference when employers are making assessments of different candidates.

Here are a few non-verbal cues you can start working immediately to get a step-up from the crowd and slay.

1. Maintain Eye contact

We all want to talk to someone who pays to us! It may seem trivial, but it can really get distracting when talking to someone whose focus isn’t on you.  Of course, sometimes, people may be shy to maintain eye contact.

However, if you maintain eye contact with the person you are talking to, it shows that you are fully focused on the interaction and that are actually interested in what they are saying. This goes a long way in portraying you as a keen individual. 

If it doesn’t come naturally to you to maintain eye contact, you may have to cultivate the habit. Consciously remind yourself to keep your eyes focused on the person you are talking to.

Start with close friends and family, and then slowly make it a habit that you can confidently apply to work. 

2. Posture

Posture has to do with the space you occupy in a room and how you fit into your surroundings. Having a straight upright posture makes you more noticeable and makes you seem confident in any situation (even if you might not be feeling that way).

Quite often, our posture which is influenced by our emotions comes subconsciously. For example, If you’re in nerve-racking situations, your body will know how to place itself without you telling it to do so. So, train yourself to always maintain a good posture, despite what your body wants. 

3. Initiating Contact

Though this is not a must all the time, when you are in a situation where you want to impress or showcase your confidence, you would rather be the first to approach and engage. This act alone showcases your confidence and your proactivity. 

4. The Handshake

After you have done all the above things, the most important to remember is your handshake! Presidents, CEOs, and all people in power respect people with tough handshakes. Even President Trump is known for a strong handshake and sometimes accused of strong-arming people.

German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once said, “All credibility, all good conscience, all evidence of truth come only from the senses.” A firm handshake can very well present how confident you are. 

[bctt tweet=”Ensure that you don’t lose opportunities because of how you present yourself” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”]


“I learned that excellence is a habit and it should go into every detail of your work process- from how you type emails, speak, dress, react etc” – Heard during exit interviews at the SLA HQ. You about that life? Learn more here.

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