Bearing creates a mindset
Exercise – Your observations about you and your posture
Before you go into a room, take a deep breathe, throw your shoulders back and walk in. Look around at the people. Is anyone looking at you? Shhhh…don’t say a word to anyone other than a nod when someone recognizes you. Observe what is happening.
Ask yourself
Do you I like the out come? Yes No Do I like how I feel? Yes No Do I sense the stronger people in the room moving towards me?
Yes No Did I get a head nod from someone I don’t know?
Yes No
I am aware of other people who have bad posture?
Yes No I am aware of the people in the room who are not standing as straight as I am? Yes No
- What are your perceptions about the people who are standing with poor posture?
- What are their capabilities?
- What are your perceptions about the people who are standing with poor posture? What are their capabilities?
- Take a moment right now—sit up or stand tall. Notice how it makes you feel.
- How does your posture affect your mindset and confidence?
- Let me know in the comments!
From Fearful to Fearless:
Every confident speaker once shook in their shoes.
How to Answer “Tricky” Questions
When you stay calm, clarify with repetition, and bridge back to your core ideas, you guide the dialogue rather than chase it. The result? You come across as thoughtful, credible, and persuasive exactly the qualities clients and colleagues remember.
How Humor Can Lighten the Room
A smile can make your design pitch twice as memorable. Humor, when done right, isn’t about being a comedian it’s about being human. A little laughter reminds everyone that design is supposed to bring joy, not stress. So the next time you walk into a presentation, bring your sense of humor along with your fabric swatches. You’ll leave behind not only a beautiful concept but also a positive impression.
Creating Connection: The overlooked power of eye contact
Eye contact is the designer’s secret to presence. It’s what transforms a presentation from mechanical to magnetic. Slides may show your ideas, but your eyes show your confidence and that’s what clients and audiences remember most.
Why Every Designer Should Practice Their Speech
In design, presentation is persuasion. When you practice speaking as much as sketching, you build trust, authority, and excitement around your ideas. A polished pitch can make the difference between a “maybe” and a “let’s do it.” Remember your voice is part of your professional toolkit. Use it well, and let it sell your vision as powerfully as your designs do.
NETWORKING …. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER
Networking is more about follow-up than first impressions.
Sound as Good as You Look
Trade shows can showcase your talent and brand but shouldn’t cost you your voice.
The Designer’s Elevator Pitch:
If you can’t explain your vision in a minute, you’ll lose the moment. In the world of design, opportunities often appear unexpectedly,a quick chat at a showroom, a brief meeting at a networking event, or a chance encounter with a potential...
I never think about my posture and I’m sure that is why my back hurts a lot of the time but after reading your post I’m been trying to stand up straighter and look people in the eye when walking into a room. Thank you for sharing.
Since I am tall, my parents were very insistent about me standing up straight. They sent me to modeling school, dance, everything to keep me standing tall!
Their rationale was that I was still going to be tall even if I slumped, just then people would think that I was embarrassed or ashamed and trying to hide if i slumped.
Great reminder!
I find that my posture differs depending on who I am with. Usually,I stand up tall, but in a crowd of people I feel as if I need to bend a bit. Protect myself maybe? I’ll be more conscious about what you have written.
Usually, I find myself standing straight and tall. However, when I am with people I don’t know, I tend to bend a bit. Make myself small. Protection maybe? I’ll be more aware in the future.