Empower Your Presence: By Working a Room Like a Pro

People with presence seem to navigate a room with ease, stopping to talk with others for just the right amount of time before moving on. 

People with presence seem to navigate a room with ease, stopping to talk with others for just the right amount of time before moving on.  However, a large majority of people avoid business mixers, fundraisers, and cocktail hours because they are uncomfortable with working a room, even though these occasions provide them with prime opportunities to meet new people and keep in touch with friends, colleagues, and clients – part of having true wealth. 

Over the years, I’ve asked professionals whether they enjoy events where they’ll be meeting others for the first time, and less than 5% of them answer in the affirmative, unless they’ve been in sales for many years and then the numbers rise to only 30%. The most common reasons involve maneuvering in and out of groups, introducing themselves and engaging in conversations. If you teeter on the threshold wondering why you agreed to attend an event, these strategies, along with a goal to put them into practice, will help you look forward to events that are teeming with interesting people and opportunities.

1. Accept that nervousness is natural:
At a young age, we are told not to talk to strangers, so entering a room filled with people we don’t know is uncomfortable. It is even more of a challenge if you are naturally shy.  Look for the common thread you may have with those you are about to meet.  For instance, at a fundraiser you may have similar interests in supporting the featured charity.  At a chamber of commerce mixer, you can assume that everyone is interested in further developing their businesses.  At an association meeting related to your occupation, you automatically have a place to start a conversation. With these thoughts in mind, the people you are about to meet are not so “strange” after all.

2. Dress with impact:
Your clothing can make you appear powerful or approachable, so learn how to use the elements of dress – colour, fabric and layers - to adjust the message that your clothing will convey.  If the event is casual, don’t dress down too far, remembering that your professional image is tied to minute details. Always dress at the same level or above your competition, but in sync with the clients you hope to connect with.  If possible, choose garments that have pockets for your business cards and other essentials,  so that you are not weighed down by a purse or portfolio.

3. Be prepared: 
Before you go, set a goal to meet two to three new people so that you don’t gravitate to those you already know.  Beforehand, it is also helpful to write down – yes, I really do mean write – three personal and three professional benefits of attending the event.  Make sure you bring a good supply of business cards and be prepared to talk about three to five timely topics.  Positive current events, human-interest stories, sports, theatre and movies are far more interesting than the weather.  Lastly, replace any negative self-talk with positive affirmations such as: “I know I’m going to meet some incredible people and enjoy speaking with them.”

4. Eat before you go:
A mixer is not an opportunity to eat dinner; its prime purpose is to network and develop relationships, so if you’re hungry, eat something ahead of time so that people are your focus, not the food.  Learn how to balance a drink, hors d’oeuvres plate, and a napkin in your left hand, keeping your right hand free for shaking hands.

5. Make a deliberate entrance:
Don’t slink into the room and cower in a corner.  Instead, calm your nerves with a confident, upright posture and walk with purpose at least a quarter of the way into the room. Others will be absorbed in conversation as you survey the crowd, giving you a few minutes to decide what to do next.

Next week we will look at the remaining steps you need to take to navigate a room with ease.

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