Networking & Career / Your Personal Introduction / Lesson 08

LESSON 08 · YOUR PERSONAL INTRODUCTION

Smile, Slow Down and Look Up

Eighteen easy tips to smile, slow down and look up, so your body says what your words say.

Face, pace, eyes. Warm body, warm words.

27 tipsEasy things to say7-day plan

Start with tip 1

Jump to the 7-day plan

27 tips that really help

These ideas come from Never Eat Alone (Keith Ferrazzi), How to Talk to Anyone (Leil Lowndes), The Charisma Myth (Olivia Fox Cabane), and everyday practice. Pick one tip and try it today.

TIP 1

Why body language matters

People trust what they see more than what they hear. A calm body makes your simple words feel strong.

TRY THIS
Check your body.

TIP 2

Start with one calm breath

A slow breath lowers nerves. Take it before you speak so your voice starts steady.

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Breathe once.

TIP 3

Smile softly

A gentle smile makes you look friendly and helps your voice sound warmer. It should be small and real.

TRY THIS
Smile gently.

TIP 4

Slow your pace by a little

Nerves make us rush. Aim to be slightly slower than feels natural, because that will sound normal to others.

TRY THIS
Slow down.

TIP 5

Look at one pair of eyes

Warm eye contact shows you care. If it feels hard, look at the spot between the eyebrows.

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Look up.

TIP 6

Stand tall with relaxed shoulders

Good posture shows confidence. Drop your shoulders and keep your head level.

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Stand tall.

TIP 7

Keep your hands calm

Open hands look honest. If you do not know what to do with them, rest them gently in front of you.

TRY THIS
Calm your hands.

TIP 8

Use a friendly tone

Your tone carries kindness. Imagine you are glad to see the person in front of you.

TRY THIS
Be glad.

TIP 9

Script: calm start

It is lovely to meet you. Say it with a smile and a slow breath.

TRY THIS
Use it.

TIP 10

Script: slow down

Let me say that again more slowly. Say it kindly.

TRY THIS
Use it.

TIP 11

Script: warm close

Thank you, I really enjoyed talking with you. Say it with a smile.

TRY THIS
Use it.

TIP 12

Mistake: speaking to the floor

Looking down hides your face, so lift your eyes gently.

TRY THIS
Look up.

TIP 13

Mistake: rushing the words

Fast speech sounds nervous, so add small pauses.

TRY THIS
Pause.

TIP 14

Mistake: crossing your arms

Crossed arms look closed, so keep your arms relaxed and open.

TRY THIS
Open up.

TIP 15

Troubleshoot: when your hands shake

Hold a pen or rest your hand on a table, and breathe out slowly.

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Anchor your hands.

TIP 16

Troubleshoot: when your smile feels fake

Think of someone you like for a second and let a small smile follow.

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Think kind thoughts.

TIP 17

Drill: practise in a mirror for two minutes

Say your introduction with a smile, a slow pace and a calm look. Watch for tension.

TRY THIS
Try it.

TIP 18

Drill: record a video

Record a short video of your introduction and watch it once with the sound off. Notice what your body says.

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Record it.

TIP 19

Plant your feet

Stand with feet hip-width apart. A steady stance helps a steady voice.

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Feel your feet.

TIP 20

Lift your chin a little

A level head looks confident. A bowed head looks unsure.

TRY THIS
Check your chin.

TIP 21

Breathe in before you start

A breath before the first word keeps you from rushing. It takes one second.

TRY THIS
Breathe once.

TIP 22

Use open hands

Show your palms gently when you speak. It feels honest and warm.

TRY THIS
Open your hands.

TIP 23

Example: the calm start

He paused, smiled, and said his name slowly. People leaned in to hear him.

TRY THIS
Try the pause.

TIP 24

Example: the rushed start

She spoke so fast her name was lost. Slowing by ten percent fixed it.

TRY THIS
Slow down a little.

TIP 25

Mistake: fidgeting with jewellery or pens

Small movements pull attention away. Keep your hands calm.

TRY THIS
Rest your hands.

TIP 26

Troubleshoot: when you blush

Smile and keep talking. Most people hardly notice and some find it charming.

TRY THIS
Keep going.

TIP 27

Drill: film yourself for one minute

Record a short intro and watch it once. Note one thing your body does well.

TRY THIS
Record one minute.

Easy things to say

When you are stuck, pick one of these. They work in many networking and career moments.

SMILE

“I will smile gently.”

SLOW

“I will say it slowly.”

LOOK

“I look at your eyes.”

BREATHE

“One calm breath first.”

STAND

“I stand tall and relaxed.”

CLOSE

“Thank you for listening.”

Your first week

One small action a day. Each day is only a little bigger than the last.

DAY 1
Breathe in and out

DAY 2
Smile softly

DAY 3
Slow your pace

DAY 4
Look at the eyes

DAY 5
Relax your hands

DAY 6
Stand tall

DAY 7
Repeat

Further reading

• Never Eat Alone (Keith Ferrazzi)
• How to Talk to Anyone (Leil Lowndes)
• The Charisma Myth (Olivia Fox Cabane)

The tips above are written in our own words and are general guidance. The books are suggestions for further reading.

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These lessons share general learning and everyday ideas. They are not medical or mental health advice. If you feel very anxious, low or unwell, please talk to a doctor or a qualified professional.