Controlling and Managing Stress to Your Advantage/Making the Right Impression Tim Foster

First impression What do you know about me?

“Success comes from managing stress, not time”  My story.  Training.  Preparation and practice.  Let’s get physical!  Psychological.  Know yourself.  First impressions.  Sending messages.  Handshakes.  Body language.  Start at the beginning. “You only get one chance to make a first impression”

My Story

International rower for 13 years, coach for 12 years. Competing in front of large crowds/tv audiences. Put a lot of pressure on myself. Had to get it right on the day as the opportunity wouldn’t necessarily come around again. Coach has to appear confident and in control, even if they’re not!

Training Know what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. Become the expert and bring the game into your field. 18,000 times. Knowledge, competence, credibility, passion. Manageable, worthy cause.

Preparation and Practice Know your material. Structure your presentation. Practice what you say – get feedback. Elevator pitch exercise. Know the room/know the audience. Plan the day and be on time. Single focus – give other things a miss. Always work with children and animals – never work with technology!

Let’s get physical! Centering. Progressive muscle relaxation. Shoulders forwards/Shoulders back. Posture. Stretch up and curl. Massage. Temples and hands. Alexander Technique/Yoga.

Psychological Recall past successes - Groups of 2 who know each other well. How did it make you feel? Visualisation – Groups of 2 who don’t know each other well. Visualise presenting well, then do it. Play back previous performances. If you’re worried about something then share it. Your mind will play tricks on you! Pre-start confidence.

Know yourself Know how you react to stress. Do whatever gets you in the best frame to deliver. Do not get taken over by stress, or completely remove it; but use it to bring out the best in you! Questions?

First Impressions You never get a second chance to make a first impression! 80% impression from the first 3 – 4’’ How you walk in the room How you are dressed How you greet (Handshakes, Kiss... ) How you present yourself (Body Language) How you leave the room

How are you dressed? What is appropriate business dress? Whatever you wear make sure it is appropriate to the business you’re in, the people you meet, your own credibility. Decide on the message you want everyone to have of you and nurture it. For our image to be credible, professional, individual and trustworthy we need our attire to say this.

Business Dress Dark striped suit, white shirt, striped tie, black shoes, plain watch, clean shaven, tidy hair. Trousers and shirt (minimum). Harder for women to judge.

Sending out the right message? Groups of 2 with someone whose opinion you value Who do you admire? What message do they send out? How would you describe the other person in your group? Describe yourself in 5 words Group exercise

Handshakes Dominant. Submissive. Equality. Cold clammy handshake. When Men and Women shake hands. Handshake exercise

Worst Handshakes The Wet Fish The Vice The Finger Tip Grab The Stiff-Arm Thrust The Socket Wrencher Missing someone out! Handshake speed dating.

Body Language Indicators Hands Posture Eyes Mouth Arms Legs and feet Space invaders

Start at the beginning Easiest thing to practice! Entering the room – how you walk gives signals of intent. Handshakes – where to sit/stand. First lines.

The Beginning of the End Have in mind what you want to say/how you want to finish. Say it and then leave the room!