The One Thing Everyone Notices Before You Even Speak
So often, professionals focus on what they’re going to say in meetings, the slides, the facts, the talking points. But rarely do we pause to think about how we show up. And yet, how we show up can make as much, if not more, impact than the words we speak.
Imagine this scenario: You’re hurrying down the hallway to your next meeting. Your mind is racing. Who’s in the room? What’s at stake? If you say something wrong, or appear unprepared, could it affect your reputation, or even your position? You walk faster, shoulders slightly tense, jaw tight, eyes darting.
Maybe your brow is furrowed, or your pace is rushed. You’re thinking you’re focused, but your body is giving off signals that reflect the anxiety, stress, or fear alive inside you. And your colleagues notice.
This isn’t just a one-off; we could name a thousand other situations where the mind is deep in thought and the body is driven by hijacked emotions that have no place in the present environment.
These unconscious signals, tension, speed, posture, tone, send messages to others before you even say a word. 93% of communication is nonverbal, and these cues shape how people perceive us and, ultimately, the outcomes we create for ourselves and our teams.
The key lies in understanding what is arising in us in these moments. Our thoughts, emotions, and assumptions form the lens through which we act. If we’re unaware, our behaviour may unintentionally undermine our objectives.
But if we become mindful of what is alive in us, our stress, our focus, our intentions, we gain the ability to show up intentionally, with confidence and clarity.
Being mindful of our inner state allows us to align our presence with our purpose. We can communicate more effectively, make better decisions, and follow through with agency.
Our message becomes not just what we say, but how we show up, and that presence shapes the results we create for ourselves and our teams.
So the next time you step into a meeting, take a moment to check in with yourself. Take a deep breath. Reconnect with yourself. Ask: What’s alive for me right now? What energy am I bringing? How do I want to be seen?
It’s something so simple that we often overlook its value. Much like tuning a guitar, it might only take a minute or two, but once the guitar is in tune, the entire concert sounds so much better.
The answers to these questions will guide your presence, because your presence is an unconscious message, and it always speaks.
If you want to ignite your confidence and accelerate your progression in your profession, simply reach out. Let’s start a conversation about how you can make that happen.