start to consider yourself to be shy, or just a good listener but not a good talker. You have to recognize bad speech habits for what they are and then take the necessary steps to counteract their effect on your technique. You need to be aware of what could be holding you back and giving people the wrong impression of who you are and what you're trying to say. 
14

Connecting the Dots

Executive Presence Shortcuts

So many businesspeople are looking for ways to increase their Executive Presence. The term is thrown around as being the highest level of business behavior to be emulated. But what does it really mean to have it? Everyone knows when they see and hear someone exude Executive Presence. It's not just good grooming or fashionmentally. Always prepare your agenda before starting a call; don't pick up the phone unless you can clearly communicate your perspective out loud before participating in the call. Try slowly moving around the room while on the phone as a way to generate additional physical forward momentum. Breathe deliberately as you would in a one-on-one meeting. Make sure you gesture as if your listeners are present in the room. Don't stare off into space. Direct your eye contact to a specific spot in the room, and return to that spot when reinforcing a point. Smile when necessary, but don't overdo it. Disingenuous smiling can color the sound of your voice and make it sound as if you're placating and not engaging.

Seven-layer cake. To persuade someone is actually to