Sangamitra watches as Kanaka walks into the room and observes as everybody in the room takes notice of Kanaka. She is the kind of woman everybody listens to. She can tell a funny story and people laugh. She turns her gaze on somebody and they smile back. She exudes confidence. Sangamitra is a little puzzled. What makes Kanaka so special?  Was she born under a lucky star? Or is there something that separates Kanaka from the rest? Kanaka is comfortable in her own skin, self-assured and knows her strengths. You too can learn to be confident and go through life with charisma and charm. Being confident helps you feel emotionally secure and that leads to inner peace and strength.

Making your presence felt  

 Recently I overheard somebody watching a woman CEO make an entrance. “She walks in as if she owns the place!” they remarked.  To make a truly graceful entrance, you have to leave your self-consciousness behind. Even people who are very shy can appear at ease if they make an effort. It is important to realize that you will be judged only by the façade you present – nobody can actually read your mind and know how nervous you really are. Body language plays an important role. If you hunch your shoulders, and seem hesitant, you will immediately be dismissed without a second glance. On the other hand, if you walk in with your head held high and look people in the eye, they will respond with warmth.

Breaking the ice

Confident people do not usually hesitate to go up to people and introduce themselves. You do not have to be pushy and obnoxious - most people will respond to a smile and a confident introduction. The trick to making an immediate connection is to make eye contact, to lean slightly towards the other person and then ask them about themselves. Of course, there must be genuine interest because people can very quickly pick up on faked enthusiasm.