Exam 1: Developing Your Professional Presence

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These three elements-competence,credibility,and confidence-form the core of professional presence.Some people equate presence with the "wow" factor that allows you to make a great first impression,similar to the peacock that is the emblem of this book.While that wow factor is certainly impressive,presence goes deeper than that.Presence emanates from within,reflecting your comfort with yourself and the rapport you develop with people around you.In addition,your professional presence depends on your ability to communicate so that others recognize your competence,are eager to listen to what you have to say,trust you,and have confidence in you.
How do you develop presence? While you are in school,you have undoubtedly been developing your competence as you take courses in your major and other fields.Ideally,you have also been learning how to learn,so that you can continue to increase your competence on the job.Your credibility is based in part on your character,which you have been developing since you were a child.You also earn credibility by doing good work,being trustworthy,and empathizing with others,showing that you understand their needs and point of view.You develop confidence by believing in yourself and by learning communication skills that allow you to project that belief as you communicate your ideas.Confidence also comes from the knowledge that you can use your critical thinking abilities to adapt what you have learned as new situations arise.