Texas Farm BureauYouth Leadership Conference

Professionalism in Life

Presenter: Lou Kennedy

June 19, 2012All Rights Reserved by Lou Kennedy Company

Professional Presence

Manners matter

First Impressions last

Appearance counts

Attitude Shows

Interpersonal Skills

Listening

Manners Matter !

First ImpressionsAre 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 (1803-1882)

“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 ImpressionsVisual______________%

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 What’s my attitude?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 Interpersonal CommunicationsCommunications

• 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 Human CommunicationCommunication

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

• Look

• Ask

• Don’t interrupt

• Don’t change subject

• Emotions

• Responsiveness

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

E-mail

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 . . .Use it . . .

or lose it!or lose it!