As public affairs people, we have to do some study beyond DINFOS if you want to truly contribute to the mission. If you don’t you’ll be irrelevant and tweet a lot about how your commander doesn’t listen to you.
Maybe read this book, Presence by Amy Cuddy
Part of our job is coaching speakers, communicators. Sometimes you’ll do it for the boss, sometimes you’ll do it for a staff sergeant who will speak at his kid’s school. Everyone is a VIP and deserves your expertise.
Not an expert? That’s a problem. The solution is to read and study so you become an expert. It’s our job.
That said, I’m reading the book, Presence. Some good lessons here on the physics of confidence. She argues that powerful pose not only conveys confidence but also makes the poser more confident.
It’s all about breathing, shoulders, back and neck. You’ll get the gist early but reading through gives you the tools and research to explain to others.
The only draw back is it’s a bit touchy feely. Read this between some tough guy works to maintain a balance.
Also, there’s a bit of controversy surrounding the author and her studies. I like controversy.
Presence fits in with Power Cues and a few other books we’ve recommended on the topic of physical communication.
You want to win your boss’s heart? Get a seat at the table that so many PAOs whine about not having? Give him or her tips on how to physically carry themselves in front of an audience. I gaurubtee you’re the only one on the staff with the knowledge or gusto to do it.
Photo by Spc. Kristen Dobson
