Speak Confidently to Intimidating People
Have you ever had an intimidating person leave you speechless, causing you to feel that you didn't have any courage to talk? Well, things are about to change.
Contents
Steps
Regaining confidence
- Boost up your confidence. Are those 'intimidating people' really more important than you? What do they have that's so special? If they possess only the superficial, such as money, power, or popularity, then you'll quickly realize that they are not that important. What is more likely to stand out: one's popularity during a couple of years of school, or a nice personality for a lifetime? Recognize your most shining qualities, and you will see that your real virtues are more important than any amount of money or popularity.
- Show that you are confident. Now you've realized how important you really are, it's time to show you're more confident. Walk with posture, but still be comfortable. Walk normally, but don't slouch!
- Make eye contact when they do; don't be afraid to look into their eyes to let them know that you aren't cowering in fear just from eye contact. This leaves you open to more intimidation. They will either make certain body movements to indicate that they are uncomfortable/uneasy, or they will avoid eye contact with you, signalling your victory.
Displaying your confidence
- Look straight in their eyes to show that you're not afraid and talk to them. Direct eye contact is taken as a challenge. Showing you are not afraid to do this could make them question going through with anything. Looking away when they come to talk to you will just show you're not feeling courageous enough to talk to them.
- At the moment someone tries to provoke you, look that person dead in the eye. While they continue to rant, keep staring straight in the eye. Let them lose the plot but don't react yourself. Then, just when it seems like you'll crack, smile. Don't do anything else; this will confuse the person and cause them to wonder why you're not crying/shouting/losing it. It will cause the person to question his or her approach. And even if it doesn't, it'll bug the person enough for you to make your exit with dignity.
- Use piercing eye contact, rough vocal tones, slightly tensed shoulders. Don't puff your chest out and act tough, be yourself but be the 'bad' you.
Responding with clarity
- Speak clearly. Don't mumble, or speak too quietly. That way, those intimidating people will understand what you say, while looking in their eyes, speak your mind like you don't care. If they try to pull you down, just stand up straight and let them know they can't rule your life and they are not any better than anyone else.
- Speak clearly, loudly, but not too loudly. Let them hear what you have to say, and say it with a hint of aggressiveness to let them know that you are not the weak person they thought, but a fighter and someone who has been through life's hard knocks and come out even stronger.
- Have a sentence already prepared in your head for such occasions. Practice the sentence so you are calm, cool and collected. Respond no more than three times, repeating the same sentence over and over again, while keeping your composure. Don't raise your voice; instead, stay calm and walk away knowing you have integrity.
- If needed, then follow through with authorities. Don't tell the person who is acting out of control about the authorities. The out-of-control person wants to rile you and spill out all kinds of information, so don't alert them.
- Sometimes it is good to just do something nice to them just to be the bigger person. For example, say they have a nice shirt or a color they're wearing really brings out their eyes. But don't do this too many times or they might think you're weird or trying to kiss up to them.
Tips
- No one is better or worse than anyone. So be yourself and remember you're a great person in your own way. Don't let anyone walk over you or bring you down.
- Be nice and polite, but don't let any of them walk over you, speak up.
- Don't try to impress such people since the more you try to impress them the more unimpressed they will be.
- You have the right to be intimidating to an intimidating person when they are trying to inhibit you. You have to show you're not afraid.
- Looking away or doing something unimportant while speaking may make your opponent feel that he is of lesser importance than the task you are performing. Dousing his ego in this way may give you an advantage when you turn to contest him full-on (establish eye contact, raise voice, etc.) later. Be sure to keep aware while you douse their ego, however, don't let yourself be caught unaware! Also don't run after them since that will show them that you feel like they're better or you can't manage without them. If you walk away, you'll find them running after you.
- Don't get cocky. If you take on arrogance they may try these tricks on you.
- If all else fails and someone constantly tries to intimidate you, stay out of their way as much as possible and ignore them.
- Don't be scared to say what's on your mind.
Warnings
- Don't talk as if you are always right.
- Don't hate the person. Just because they're intimidating, it doesn't mean you have to hold anything against them.
