Texas Farm Bureau Youth Leadership Conference Professionalism in Life Presenter: Lou Kennedy June 19, 2012 All Rights Reserved by Lou Kennedy Company

Professional Presence  Manners matter  First Impressions last  Appearance counts  Attitude Shows  Interpersonal Skills  Listening

Manners Matter ! First Impressions Are Lasting Impressions!

“Your manners and image are always under examination and by committees little suspected --- but are awarding or denying you very high prizes when you least expect it.” Ralph Waldo Emerson ( )

“Etiquette rules help people create the consciousness for appropriateness.” Stephen Farrell

Image Enhancers Accountability Follow-through Conversational skills Approachable Polished Sense of humor Walk the talk Team player Showing everyone respect Positive attitude Good listener

Image Spoilers Not returning phone calls when you say you will Not responding to RSVP Lack of courtesy to speakers and guests Wimpy handshake Insensitive remarks and gossiping Interrupting other’s speaking Typos, spelling and grammar errors Constant complaining Bragging Tardiness

First Impressions  Visual______________%  Vocal______________%  Verbal______________% Total = 100%

First Impressions Your appearance can raise expectations. What you say and how you say it will determine how people evaluate you.

Grooming Basics Hands Teeth Breath Body odor Hair Skin Care Makeup Fragrance

Appearances Do Count!  Clothes, caps and hats  Hairstyles  Carriage  Non- Verbal Communications

Negative Impressions Baseball caps inside buildings Cowboy hats inside buildings Cell phones on in meetings Tobacco products

The Power of Clothing Clothing is the first visual sign of communication. PERCEPTION IS REALITY! More skin showing = less credibility

Dress With Intention Where will I be today? Who will I see? What non-verbal message will I send?

YOUR ATTITUDE IS SHOWING!

Cooperation Confidence Nervousness Suspicion What is your message? Defensiveness Evaluation Frustration Insecurity Your Body Talks

What’s my attitude?

Interpersonal Communication This skill is the ability to continuously build credibility and believability in everything we communicate.

Eye communication Gestures /facial expressions Posture and movement Voice and vocal variety Language, pauses and non-words Interpersonal Communications Eye communication Gestures/ facial expressions Posture and movement Voice and vocal quality Language, pauses, non-word

Eye Communication Your eyes are the only part of your nervous system that can directly connect with another human. Involvement Intimidation Intimacy

Good Eye Contact Integrity Honesty Self-confidence Genuine interest in others

Good Handshake Honesty Friendship Control Confidence Trust Forgiveness

Personal Zone 3 to 5 feet = correct conversation space 6 feet = aloof or not interested

Facial Expressions Acts like a billboard for how you feel Set facial expression before speaking Adjust facial expression to support verbal message

Poor Posture Lack of confidence Indifference Low self-esteem Tiredness Sloppy

Vocal Effectiveness The voice is 84% of your message The voice sends your message Listen to your voice as you speak Choose your words thoughtfully

Verbal Non-Words um huh you know whatever no problem actually fixin to like truth of the matter honestly irregardless

Voice Reveals Your self confidence level Your background Level of education Region where you grew up Your present mood

What kind of listener are you? Take a class in LISTENING in addition to SPEAKING

Human Communication

Listening Benefits Reduces stress Promotes better understanding Improves problem solving skills Improves relationships Saves time

Communications Auditory: sounds, talk, tell, hear, listen, resonate Visual: perceive, look, see, observe, mental picture, eye to eye Kinesthetic: touch, feel, grasp,understand, sense

To Gather Information Who? What? When? Where Why? How?

Listening Ladder L ook A sk D on’t interrupt D on’t change subject E motions R esponsiveness

Tickets to Small Talk Ticket #1 - Handshakes and eye contact Ticket #2 - Nametags and business cards Ticket #3 - Introductions Ticket #4 - Positive conversation content

Introductions Mention most important person first. Don’t assume everyone wants to be called by their first name. Introduce yourself with first and last name.

Attending Meetings Be punctual and prepared Cell phones and pagers –silent Avoid side-talk and interruptions Accepting assignments and follow up Be open-minded and support decisions Meet and talk to speakers and guests Thank you notes (example - AgLead Program)

Courteous Electronic Communications Telephone Speaker Cell Phone Web conferences Instant Messaging Voice Mail Texting Facsimile

No Cellular Phones In class In meetings In restaurants In church In movies Limited use in cars

Remember this... Communicate with others as you would have them communicate with you.

Common Courtesies Respect shown to others Please and Thank You Thank You notes

Personal Excellence “All of the topics in this session contribute to your personal development and leadership skills. They may be considered soft skills in a high tech world. They are noticed in school, interviews, jobs, promotions, and who you say you are by your actions and words.” Lou Kennedy

Use it... or lose it!