Tutor insight: Charlie Walker-Wise

Making an impact is harder than you might expect, even for seasoned employees, as nearly 80% of business professionals say that they seldom come across people at work who make a lasting first impression.

Our insights will help you to have more impact – whether you’re chairing a meeting or presenting to a large audience.

Make an entrance in the best way

Use your peripheral vision when you make your entrance so that you can see the space you’re walking into, and everyone in it. This will show your audience that you’re engaged and available to them. It can help to think about the image of throwing French windows wide open as you enter the space to enjoy the view.

Keep breathing

This sounds obvious but when we are anxious or nervous, we stop breathing, making it harder to think clearly. Take a moment and slowly breathe out and in to lower your heart rate and focus nervous energy.

Find your voice by grounding yourself

You need a solid base to operate from. If you are centred and grounded when sitting or standing, you are balanced both physically and mentally. Keep your feet planted firmly on the floor to help anchor the breath and in turn enhance your vocal delivery. What you do with your body will show up in your voice.

Pause more

Allow time for your message to land. Once you have made a point, leave some time for others to hear and digest it. This can be difficult as nerves make us rush, but pausing will let people know that what you have to say is important enough to consider.

Connect with your audience

Many of us find making eye contact awkward or too intimate. Eye contact is important though, as there is lots of research to show that eye contact is associated with trust. You don’t need to overdo it to the point of feeling uncomfortable, but eye contact is vital to practice, as it’s a key ingredient to meaningful connections with others.

Learn how to embody these techniques

About the tutor
Charlie Walker-Wise trained as an actor at RADA, and worked extensively in theatre, film and television while simultaneously cultivating a career as a trainer and facilitator.

Charlie’s professional training and coaching experience has seen him work with clients across the public sector, central government and private corporations large and small.