25
Personal Development
Feature
areas, and want to enhance it, but may Speak First is a specialist in the world of personal impact
have confidence or assertiveness issues in – so much so that it was recently commissioned by one of
others, which they would like to overcome. the world’s leading business publishers, Prentice Hall, to
Perhaps they’ve received feedback at work write a book on the subject. Personal Impact will be in the
that suggests they need to develop their shops and on
www.amazon.co.uk in January 2009, RRP
interpersonal skills to be able to move to £10.99, ISBN 9780273720324
the next level.
When do they need it? Dictionary definitions of impact include: have more impact and influence when
We need personal impact all the time. • The force of impression of one thing presenting his ideas to the board and
Everywhere. At work it’s essential. In a on another dealing with clients. He learnt about the
client pitch, networking event or simply • An effect or change caused by importance of trust and voice tone and
talking to customers over the phone. We some factor how even his choice of words makes a
need it to pass an interview, get our point big difference. One of the most powerful
across at meetings or give an effective That’s what individuals with personal experiences was seeing himself on video
presentation. Many people are in roles impact do, they make an impression on and receiving insightful feedback from the
where they need to influence and persuade others, and through that bring about some trainer and the other participants.
others – such as management, sales, kind of change.
negotiation and customer service – where Small changes can lead to big results. Just
making the right impact is vital for success. It’s not about ‘personality’ softening your tone of voice or making
Some people think personal impact is all it firmer, increasing or reducing your eye
Why do they need it? about having bags of ‘personality’, of being contact, can make a profound difference
Our ability to achieve what we want at the life and soul of the party, flamboyant to the impact people have. When people
work depends to a large degree on the and extrovert. But in the same way that are able to connect with others quickly and
impact we have on others. Whether we a whisper can sometimes be louder than easily, win their trust, and make a great
like it or not, people size us up within a shout, quiet, introverted people – even impression on them, they’re more likely to
seconds of meeting us. If your people don’t those who consider themselves ‘shy’ build fruitful business relationships.
make a positive first impression they may can have personal impact that’s every
not get another chance. These days people bit as powerful as those who are more There are many more people like Jack, at
are so busy, so distracted – always multi- ‘out there’. It’s not how you are, it’s who all levels, who benefit greatly from learning
tasking, always thinking about emails – it’s you are. Ordinary people can make an about personal impact. They come away
harder than ever to make the right impact. extraordinary impact. with increased confidence, techniques to
Businesses need their people to be able to apply and a clear sense of what they need
influence and persuade, gain commitment Some people already have bags of impact to do to increase their personal impact. This
and buy-in to their ideas, sell their – but in others it’s not fully developed. means when they return to the workplace
products, pacify people who are unhappy People in specialist fields such as they are more effective immediately.
and inspire teams to achieve great results. accounting, finance, IT and engineering
often find their skills work fine when they
The specific benefits of having personal are in operational roles, but when they
impact to individuals are diverse and move to a customer facing or management
many, including: position they may find they lack some of
• Impressing your boss the necessary interpersonal skills.
• Winning more business
• Influencing and persuading others What is the process by which
• Having a fantastic network people change?
You may be wondering if it’s really possible
R59 G38 B100
• Career progression
Amanda Vickers is
R179 G178 B179
• Earning more money to change the impact people make.
Managing Director
R106 G115 B123 at communication
• Achieving your goals Absolutely. Many have done it already.
skills specialist Speak
R158 G37 B129
Every week we see people on our courses
First. If you have staff
What is personal impact? develop their personal and professional
who need to develop
Personal impact isn’t easy to define, but impact. Take Jack (his name has been
their interpersonal
we all know it when we see it. We meet changed for confidentiality reasons) who
skills and improve
their impact why not
someone and pretty soon we recognise is an accountant from a well-known firm
visit the Speak First stand at the World
they have a special quality. Call it who attended one of our courses. He is of Learning (E250) to find out more about
magnetism, call it presence, call it charisma an expert in his field, highly intelligent,
training and coaching options. You’ll
– call it what you like – but they stand extremely capable and totally reliable. He
also be able to learn more about the new
out from the crowd. This helps them to attended our Personal Impact for Leaders
book and speak directly with one of the
authors.
www.speak-first.com
influence and persuade others easily. course because he wanted to be able to
Learning Magazine
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