It may take more than a military-looking uniform to determine how to know you have a commanding presence. But it doesn’t hurt to look official, does it?
One thing I do know is that it is no good to fake the appearance of being in the military when you really haven’t served. Only men and women who have gone through the training and sacrifice to earn a uniform should wear it. So forget being a military imposter!
There are better ways to have a commanding presence. This Forbes article shows six ways you can do just that. One of the best suggestions is to treat others how you want to be treated.
We can have a commanding presence without being condescending to others. In fact, that kind of behavior backfires. If a commanding presence is based on fear and intimidation, you may demand attention when you are in the room. But as soon as you leave, they’ll be talking about you in a disrespectful tone.
Instead, be engaged with the people in the room. Be pleasant and show respect to the leader. If you are the leader, make eye contact with everyone. Have a written agenda ready, and be prepared to make your presentation or lesson.
Yes, there are many ways how to know you have a commanding presence. At the top of the list is to treat others how you want to be treated, and engage with others in a confident, self-assured manner.
Editor’s Note: I originally published this blog on October 6, 2015. I revamped and updated it for timeliness and comprehensiveness.
