There’s nothing more frustrating than someone who won’t take you seriously, right?
This rings especially true when dealing with our personal and professional relationships. After all, every man wants to command respect and feel like a million bucks to anyone and everyone they come in contact with rather than be an uncomfortable mess.
Unfortunately, many men find themselves wondering why people won’t take them seriously with no idea how to change their luck.
Commanding respect and creating that sort of “halo” effect where people want to be around you isn’t a one-size-fits-all fix. Instead, consider the following four tips to ensure that those around you take you more seriously.
Dress Up
There’s no denying that how you look on the outside impacts the way people perceive you at a glance. While looks certainly aren’t everything, it’s important to note that it’s difficult to gain the respect of others if it doesn’t appear that you take pride in your own personal appearance. While you don’t necessarily need to wear a suit and tie every day, you should pay special attention to…
- Matching your wardrobe and accessories: from non-clashing colors to subtle yet smart touches like military watches, you can step up your style minus a massive shopping spree
- How your clothes fit: you may need to fill out or slim down accordingly, which could mean some extra time hitting the gym
- Your grooming habits: regular beard trims and haircuts can make all the difference when it comes to your appearance
Speak with Confidence
Simply put, stop second-guessing everything you have to say in conversation. Although breaking your fears of speaking or confrontation may take time if you have a serious phobia, bear in mind that words are just words. Don’t treat every statement you make as if it were a question and instead make yourself crystal clear rather than be needlessly verbose.
Pay Attention to Your Body Language
Body language is perhaps the most overlooked aspect of appearing more confident in yourself. Although body language and non-verbal cues are often subconscious, you can get a handle on them once you realize how the way you stand or present yourself is turning people off. For example, take notice when it comes to…
- Looking people in the eye: shifty looks and the inability to look at someone while speaking to them signals anything butrespect
- Self-touch gestures such as crossing your arms or putting your hands on your hips which signal that you’re uncomfortable or unsure
- Slouching and bad posture, which paints you as lazy and passive versus a go-getter
Become a Man of Your Word
Last but not least, following through with your actions in your personal and professional lives ultimately makes or breaks the ability for people to take you seriously. If you’re flaky with deadlines or fail to live up to the expectations of others, you’re doing nothing but undermining how you’re perceived.
Sure, we live in a hustle-and-bustle world where keeping up with our responsibilities is easier said than done; however, that’s exactly why following through is so important for modern men.
Being taken more seriously isn’t going to happen overnight, especially if you struggle with your sense of confidence. That said, doing so is certainly possible by making these changes over time and sticking to them for the sake of long-term self-improvement.