Yesterday, I introduced a brand new Unemployed Millionaire Blog series on leadership a.k.a. The Secret Character Trait of the World’s Most Powerful People.

Let’s briefly revisit the final portion of yesterday’s post, Understanding How Others Perceive Leadership. How do leaders instantly project the  type of confidence that everyone around them can feel?

It’s all in the way a leader greets someone, their voice, their posture, their facial expressions, and of course, their wrapping…

Proper Greetings Lead to More Meetings

Like it or not, humans are creatures of judgment. When we meet someone for the first time, the person we’re meeting is making dozens of judgments about us. Some are conscious judgments, some are not…

Regardless, first impressions are lasting impressions so it’s extremely important to master the art of greeting other people in a way that demonstrates your leadership abilities instantly.

Since the customary greeting in most cultures is a handshake, you’ll want to memorize these rules for shaking hands. First of all, shake hands with a firm grip. When you give a soft, weak handshake, you’re projecting exactly that – weakness and softness.

You definitely don’t want to do the Knuckle Crusher either though. If you squeeze someone’s hand with a grip that hurts them, you are not projecting confidence. By overcompensating, you’re projecting low confidence in yourself. (Furthermore, the person who you just shook hands with will be a little annoyed with you instantly for hurting their hand!)

This next rule is one of the most important parts of instantly demonstrating confidence and leadership… Be absolutely sure to maintain proper eye contact. Quite a few people feel awkward looking someone directly in the eyes upon first meeting them but it’s important to remember to do it.

If you have a nicely firm handshake and a powerful voice but immediately look down or away during an initial greeting, the person you are greeting will get an instant gut sense that you aren’t making eye contact due to a lack of self-esteem or because you don’t really care, which comes across as very disrespectful.

Making eye contact creates a stronger, more memorable connection and demonstrates your level of comfort with yourself and the person you’re meeting.

Vocalize

This fundamental part of projecting confidence is short and sweet… When you meet someone, speak at a slightly louder volume than normal. Why?!?

Case studies have proven that the person with the loudest voice in the group is typically perceived as the leader of that group.

The Importance of Good Posture

When you’re meeting someone for the first time, remember to keep your head up high and stand up straight. When you’re looking down or slumping your shoulders in public, others perceive you as having a lack of confidence.

The other neat part of maintaining good posture is the psychological benefit. When you stand in a confident manner, your body produces chemicals that actually do make you more confident. Physiology directly improves your emotions and your levels of energy.

Positively Express Yourself

Make a habit of smiling – alot! The next time you face a challenge, smile about it. When challenges arise, people look to their leader to decide how to react.

If you are smiling and not worrying about obstacles, you project that you’re confident in your ability to overcome the challenge.

Besides, frowning is hard work… It takes 43 muscles to frown and only 17 to smile!

The Present is a Gift. How are you wrapped?

To be perceived as a better leader, dress more professionally than those around you. Whether you want to admit to it or not, perception is reality and when you’re dressed nice, not only do you typically feel better about yourself, you gain ground during that crucial first impression.

Always keep this statement on leadership in mind: Power is assumed, not granted!

Practice Makes Perfect

This may seem like a silly request but I want you to do it right now! Get in front of a mirror right now and practice using these fundamental parts of projecting confidence.

If you practice smiling, standing with good posture, maintaining eye contact and volume, and a good handshake daily, you’ll constantly be perceived as a confident leader in no time!

I’d love to hear how your first practice goes so let’s talk about it in the comments section below!

P.S. For an even more in-depth explanation of the secret character trait of the world’s most powerful people, read chapter 7 of The Unemployed Millionaire. Get your copy and help me feed 5 hungry children here: http://www.MattMorris.com/book!