Having something to say is only part of the equation. How you say it counts, too.

You’re in a meeting. A topic you know well comes up, but you stay silent. Maybe you’re habitually deferring to another coworker, or to your boss. Or perhaps you’ve told yourself you won’t be heard anyway—so what’s the use?

A crisis of confidence typically lies behind such performance stall-outs. But American Management Association experts agree: With a few moves, you can cultivate a more powerful professional presence and enjoy the increased effectiveness that comes with it. Here’s how.

Find Your Center
Do you change your behavior because of how you think you should act? If so, you won’t appear genuine, says executive consultant Michelle Tillis Lederman (The 11 Laws of Likability, AMACOM, 2012).

Take a breath. Ask yourself, “What’s the worst that could happen if I’m honest?” Usually, it’s not that bad. Remember what you bring to the situation, and try again.

Emphasize Upsides
Consciously shift your focus from what you do less well to what you do very well. You’ll bolster your internal confidence barometer and be better able to inspire others by speaking with greater authenticity and passion.

Challenge Expectations
Center stage is scary—especially for women who were taught that “nice girls don’t show off.” Gender aside, if you stay quiet to avoid seeming overbearing, you check your expertise at the door.

Don’t await an invitation—and don’t fear upstaging others. It’s up to them to find a moment in the spotlight.

Get Physical
Your mental state affects how you carry yourself. If you feel unsure, you may speak softly, clasp your hands, or slump your shoulders.

But the reverse is also true—your posture affects how you feel. Stand up straight. Hold your head high. Pull your shoulders back. Widen your stance, put your hands on your hips, and smile.

A “power stance” boosts the hormone testosterone (while curbing cortisol, the stress hormone). You’ll reap a gain in confidence.

Channel Pacino
Not his violent roles—just his acting:

• Remember a time you felt successful.
• Picture it, recalling your certainty and enthusiasm.
• Envision that version of yourself at the next meeting.

What would you achieve? Rehearse mentally. You’re almost certain to exude more confidence at your next opportunity.

Manage Your Manager
If your boss tends to speak first, loudly, and often, draft meeting agendas beforehand. Write out your main points and ask for the boss’s opinions before the meeting. The boss may be more likely to let you fly solo. As you become more comfortable speaking up, you may find your credibility increasing among your peers, too.

Accept Compliments Skillfully
Deflecting praise with a kick to the dirt and a mumbled “aw, shucks” undermines your authority. Instead, experts suggest sharing your success.

Smile, look the person in the eye, and say, “Thanks! That means a lot, coming from you.” You accept a compliment and flatter your admirer.

Learn from Failure
People are conditioned to avoid mistakes, but getting stuck in a rut can kill your creative energy. So try something new. Even if it flops, you learn more than you would by playing it safe. Surviving and learning from an error makes you more willing to take a risk again next time.

By Stephanie Molnar, a feature writer for Vitality. To learn more, visit the American Management Association at www.amanet.org.

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