Be Seen As The Expert (Even When You Don’t Feel Like One Yet)
- Nov 13, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 2, 2025
Written by: Emanuela Hall, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
You’ve worked hard and you know your stuff. Now, it’s time to take that knowledge and step into the leadership role you’ve been dreaming of. Whether it’s a corporate executive role, or starting your new coaching business, stepping into new versions of yourself can be equally exhilarating and uncomfortable.
As someone who’s worked in many different fields and has pivoted her business more times than she can count, I know all too well, the mixed bag of feelings that come up when stepping into a new role. No matter the situation or position, imposter syndrome likes to rear its ugly head. Perfectionism, fear, and the ego work hard to keep me feeling small. Despite this, each time I take on a new role, no matter how “unqualified” I feel, I always receive remarks like, “you were born for this” or “you know exactly what you’re doing.” I smile and accept the compliment, all the while thinking, “I’ve got NO IDEA what I’m doing”.
I know this is a lie, and that I do in fact know what I’m doing, but I can’t deny how years of acting and voice training have helped me appear confident even when I didn’t feel it right away.
If you’re stepping into a new position feeling a mixed bag of exhilaration and fear, then here are some tips to help you feel, look, and sound the part even before you’re ready.
Visualize your new self
Take time to dream about how the new you will exist in the world. Ask yourself: How do they stand, sit, and breathe? How do they walk? What kind of energy do they exude when they walk into a room? How do they make others feel when they speak?
These questions will help give you a clear picture of how you want to come across in your new position so that you can embody those qualities in your mind and body.
Role-play at home
This may feel awkward at first, but once you’ve got a clear image in your mind, try it on for size. Physically stand, sit, and breathe like this new version of you. Walk around your space and feel what it’s like to be this new you. Next, talk to yourself in the mirror and notice how it feels to speak in this new role. You may even want to pay attention to how it feels to receive the words your reflection is saying back to you.
Dress the part
When it comes to how we feel, how we dress really does matter. Moreover, other people’s perception of us comes mostly from how we look. How does your clothing reflect the image or, more importantly, the feeling you want to project? We may not like it, but humans do judge books by their covers either consciously or subconsciously, so make sure your clothing matches the role you are stepping into. (Remember that this is the role you want, so you get to decide what that looks like, not society).
Self talk
It’s easy to let our egos get the best of us, but you are stronger and smarter than that. When you hear yourself thinking discouraging thoughts like, “what am I doing?”, “I’m not ready”, or “when will they find out I’m not qualified?”, notice them, and decide to change them. Remind yourself that if you weren’t ready for this role, it would not be offered to you. Trust that God knows you’re ready, even before you do.
Physicality and Communication
Once you’ve done the work “behind the scenes”, you’re ready to step into the world and start looking, sounding, and feeling like the expert you are. Your presence and speaking skills are paramount when it comes to being seen as the authority. Here are some general tips to keep in mind:
Stand with a tall spine – this not only helps you to appear confident, but it also helps your breath and voice work properly.
Take deep, slow breaths – this gives you a calm and grounded presence while also giving your voice more support.
Listen more than you speak
Less is more – less movements and gestures help you look comfortable. Less words help you sound clear.
Be Curious – ask questions and make it about them not you.
Don’t take yourself too seriously – honestly, cracking a joke and making people laugh can go a long way. It helps both you and your listener to feel more relaxed while also garnering you admiration and respect.
Emanuela Hall, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Emanuela Hall is a holistic speaking and presence coach, an actress, a movement instructor, and the CEO of Creative Wellness (a company that facilitates interactive performing arts workshops to people of all ages). Emanuela is also a homeschooling mama of 2 and, above all, a lover of stories. She believes that creativity matters, that stories unite us, and that everyone's got one to share!
Emanuela found her own story when she struggled with post-partum anxiety and breastfeeding. She turned this experience into her award winning, one-woman play, My Breast Self. From then on, she became obsessed with helping others to heal, create, and connect through sharing their stories.
Emanuela works with executive leaders, entrepreneurs, and speakers to make a bigger impact by helping them to captivate their audience. She uses body, breath, and voice work to help her clients feel empowered and confident when they speak.
She loves music, food, and dancing on the beach :)
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