Confidence is a key factor when you’re making a presentation, persuading someone on an idea, or making a sale.
There is your internal confidence level. That’s built and reinforced through preparation and practice. Preaching to yourself helps.
The other side of the confidence coin is whether your audience or prospect has confidence in you. How you dress, your physical presentation, smiling, standing tall, the sophistication of your slides or handouts, etc. – all play a role in how people perceive your credibility. There’s a reason why someone chooses a $1200 suit over the $125 suit, or why taller and attractive people succeed in certain roles.
Savvy leaders polish both sides of the confidence coin.