What is personal impact? And why don’t I have it?

What is personal impact? 

Your personal impact is the personal authority and confidence you project – the traits that leads others to respect you in professional contexts. It’s the ability to communicate your ideas and viewpoints in a way that leaves an impression on others and encourages them to listen to and respect your perspectives. 

It’s not only about what you say but also how you say it – your demeanor, body language, and ability to remain calm under pressure. 

Why don’t I have an impact? Common causes and solutions 

People may feel they lack personal impact for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common include: 

• Lack of confidence: Doubts about your abilities and a fear of failure can prevent you from stepping up with authority. When you doubt yourself, it often becomes visible from your communication, which may lead others to doubt your competencies as well. 

• Difficulty handling pressure: In high-stakes situations, staying calm and expressing yourself clearly can be challenging. If you tend to get nervous or stressed easily, this can impact how well your message comes across. 

• Poor body language: Body language significantly influences how others perceive you. An insecure posture, lack of eye contact, or nervous movements may make you appear less confident and therefore less credible. 

• Challenging work environment: Certain work environments can be particularly difficult to navigate, especially when colleagues or superiors dominate conversations or aren’t open to the input of others. This can make it hard to get your points across. 

• Lack of experience in expressing yourself: For some, formulating thoughts clearly and concisely in professional settings can be challenging. Without the right communication techniques, it can be difficult to convey your ideas effectively. 

How to strengthen your confidence and personal impact 

Building personal impact is a process that requires time, self-awareness, and persistence. It’s about finding the right balance between confidence, clear communication, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. 

Remember, personal impact is a skill that can be developed and strengthened through targeted training. By working on these aspects, you can step forward with greater authority and be heard, understood, and respected in any work situation. 

Some specific methods for strengthening your personal impact include: 

• Work on your confidence: Your confidence affects how you present yourself and your ideas. Build belief in your abilities by setting small, realistic goals that you know you can achieve, and take the time to acknowledge and celebrate each success. 
   
  It’s also essential to recognise your strengths. Many people focus on their weaknesses or mistakes, forgetting to acknowledge their own strengths. Try listing both your professional and personal strengths and reflecting on how you use them.  
   
  Reminding yourself of what you excel at will make you feel more confident, which in itself can boost your confidence in future situations. 
   
• Practice handling pressure: Learn techniques to keep calm, such as breathing exercises or mindfulness. These methods help you focus on what’s essential and reduce stress, enabling you to stay calm and focused when under pressure. 
• Optimise your body language: Practice an open and confident posture. This sends signals of strength and confidence to those you’re communicating with. 
   
  Be mindful of the signals you’re sending with your hands and movements, too. Excessive gesturing can indicate insecurity, whereas controlled, intentional movements can emphasize your points and give you a more authoritative presence. 
   
  Additionally, ensure that your body language aligns with your words to avoid confusion or misunderstandings.

• Prepare thoroughly: The better prepared you are, the more confident you’ll feel. Spend time thinking about what you want to say and how to convey it best. 

• Seek feedback: Be open to feedback from colleagues and supervisors, and use their input to improve your communication and presence. Feedback enhances your understanding of how others perceive you, providing guidance on areas to work on to achieve greater impact. 

By working on these aspects, you can learn to appear with more authority and be heard, understood, and respected in any work situation.