Professional engagements are moving to web conferencing due to Covid-19.

I was interviewed by WCCO, an affiliate of CBS, to discuss strategies job search strategies.

Whether you're a professional doing team meetings or part of a job interview, these Top 5 Tips will help you make a memorable and lasting impression.

You'll definitely want to pay attention to Tip Number 4!

Here's to developing your professional brand and reputation.

Polly

 The coronavirus has made running for office harder.  

Real politics are largely on hold, in-person events, knocking on doors, and lit drops are essentially banned. 

Fundraising requires a heightened sensitivity, as the smaller “grassroots” donors are increasingly concerned about the future of the economy and their own finances. 

But it has also emphasized the importance of state and local government. As candidates struggle with getting their message out in front of voters, they also have to think carefully about their tone. Because while there is a need to echo the sense of we’re all in this together, candidates still need to draw out the differences to not appear too partisan. 

This is a challenging time for every candidate, and you’re not alone in trying to figure all this out. 

If you’re an incumbent who has a decent amount of cash already in the bank, a large donor file, or have the support of a super PAC, this new...

I want to give you a simple yet genius technique that will help you be more powerful, charismatic and persuasive — in just 3 seconds flat.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the Pause.

When you’re in a conversation, a pause of silence gives you the wonderful opportunity to listen and to make an impact on the people around you.

Being a really good listener is one of the most underrated secrets of success. Its crucial if you want to be more charismatic, more persuasive, and a better negotiator.

Plus, truly listening to someone and having them feel that they were truly heard is one of the biggest gifts you can ever give. The pause gives you presence. And people can feel it.

The problem is, most of us suck at listening, and we don’t even know it. We’re always interrupting people with our points of view, feedback and ideas.

But when you remain quiet and just zip it shut, you’ll be surprised how often people will open...

Survive No-Shave November With These Tips

Put down your razors! Guys, this is all about growing out your facial hair for a good cause. No-Shave November is a movement meant to spark conversation and raise awareness around prostate cancer. 

For guys, it’s not always easy to grow and maintain facial hair. Yeah, some guys wait all year for the chance to show off their miracle-grow superpowers, but sprouting a fearsome forest on your face doesn’t exactly say "professional" to your boss or clients.

CLICK HERE to watch the video, How to Survive No-Shave November

With these manscaping tips, you can sport a workplace-approved beard (this November and beyond) while keeping your professional reputation intact.

Don't let the thought of a straggly beard keep you from supporting No-Shave November. Use these tips to grow and tame your beard all year long.

XO

Polly

PS Do you know someone who is doing the No Shave November challenge? Don’t let them struggle through it. Let...

Sounds like a bad relationship again. Girl, you deserve so much better! Before you give up and kiss your small online business goodbye, I'd love to help you get things straightened out!

I know how confusing and overwhelming this whole entrepreneurial journey can be. Trust me, I KNOW!

You may feel like you’re going in circles sometimes trying to make things work, and yet you’re still not getting the results you want. The best place to start is on your business plan!

If you need a business plan, don't worry, I have a downloadable plan that we can use, and together, we will start building a solid foundation to grow your business upon.

You can get it FREE here!

I'll use your input and questions when I create it. You can find more resources HERE.

You may want to save this! A good presentation will help you build visibility, trust, and eventually turn your audience into clients, voters, or land you that promotion.

Here are some tips to ace your speech:

1. Go in with the right mindset. Confidence equates to certainty in the minds of others, and people pay for certainty.
2. Stay out of monotone. If you use a monotone voice, people will be checking their emails under the tables instead of listening to you.
3. Practice your speech beforehand.
4. Know your material well enough to be able to look down at your notes, pull a few keywords and be able to talk about them. This requires that you practice your speech.
5. Make eye contact. It draws the audience in. But don't hold any one person hostage with the eyes. They'll start avoiding your gaze.

The points listed above are just a few of MANY. But if you only had time to choose a few, this list is a great start.

Have any questions? Email me at [email protected]

Didn't get the promotion you wanted? Here is a list of possible reasons why:

1. You made the mistake of thinking you were the only one being considered for the promotion.

2. You decided to show up and wing it. "Winging it" is never a strategy.

3. You didn't make enough eye contact. Or worse, you made too much eye contact and creeped the interviewer out.

4. Your answers to their interview questions were boring and unremarkable.

5. You talked about your past accomplishments, but didn't speak to the value you could provide in this new position.

6. Your body language gave away the nervousness and anxiety you were trying to hide.

7. Your handshake was weak or it was wet from holding the chilled glass of water they offered you.

8. You weren't dressed for the position you want to hold.

I have an excellent track record helping people land their dream jobs because they learn how to walk in prepared, confident, and ready for their interviews. Let's work together! 

You have to make...

This is a good question! Why? Because no one wants to fail when they're presenting in front of an audience. What often happens is when you get nervous or anxious, your voice will get monotone. Monotone kills presentations.

Here's an easy exercise that will help bring more life and engagement to your speech or presentation: Turn on the TV or YouTube. Find someone you think is a good speaker. Now watch her with the sound off. Notice the facial expressions, where her hands are, how she's standing, what her face looks like when she's talking AND when she's not talking. Then with the sound on, close your eyes and just listen to her. How does she pace her sentences? What's her voice like? Does she vary her tone?

DO rehearse out loud
DON'T sound canned or monotone
DO write how you talk when you create your speech
DON'T worry about flubs - it makes you human.

Have questions? Want to work with me? Email me at [email protected] 

Ahhh, the podium. Thinking you can hide behind a podium is making a big mistake.

Using a podium does have several advantages. It can feel like a life preserver when you're in the deep end of a pool. The podium grounds you by giving you something solid to touch. With that said, I recommend that you stand to one side of it whenever possible.

Podium Tips:
1. Standing beside it removes some of the formality of the interview.
2. When you're parallel to the podium, you're closer to the judges. This makes the interview seem more intimate.
3. Stand on the far side of the podium. This gives the judges more time to see you walk, and being further away from the door will make you appear more at ease.

Still want to use that podium? I have tips on how to use it effectively! Want to work with me? Email me at [email protected] and I'll tell you about the scholarships I have available for pageant contestants.

It’s hard to behave in an authentic way if you don’t know what you value and desire. At its root, authenticity requires self-awareness and self-knowledge, and accepting your strengths and weaknesses.

Acceptance isn’t always easy, but it’s what we strive for. Authenticity is the basis of executive presence. Trust your intuition. Choose things that move you closer to your values. Notice when you’re being inauthentic.

Research shows that authentic people feel better. They’re more resilient and less likely to turn to self-destructive habits. Authenticity develops trust, credibility, and confidence with the people you interact with.

Authenticity can feel scary and vulnerable, but it also builds intimacy. Be purposeful in your choices. If you’re finding yourself feeling fragmented, bored, unhappy, or uninspired, it could be that you aren’t acting authentically. Creating space for self-awareness is ever-evolving. 

I’d love to hear...