How to Enter a Room like Don Draper

Excerpt from motivational speaker Les Brown, talking about entering a room full of confidence...

"Recalling when he had to give a presentation at a corporation to win a contract, Les Brown knew it was between him and two other men sitting across from him in the waiting area. They said to each other, "Looking at the credentials we have an advantage here, we have two PHD's between us!” This man has no credintals. Les got up and went to the bathroom and started talking to himself. He said "Les Brown, what do you care about their two PHD's? You have six children and a mama to take care of!" He goes on to say…"

“So I went in that meeting and first of all I went in there walking bold, looking good, feeling good and smelling good! I sat across that table and when we started to negotiate I operated in a spirit of absolute certainty, I looked at them as if the only reason they were born was to give me that contract. And I got the contract."

Mentally Prepare Your Purpose
Know exactly why you are about to enter that room, and what your endgame is. Be certain and purposeful, like you have a mission to accomplish when you enter and you have no plans to waste time. This works particularity well in business related meetings, but for social gatherings or parties, having a strong mental purpose can serve you well. You don't want to be the person who enters and who is unsure of whom to talk to or where to stand. Have a game plan.

Purpose
Similar to the first point, but more in a physical nature, enter and travel the room with purpose. If you're unsure of where to stand in a room, pick a seat or area, and go to it as if reaching that spot is the most important thing in your life right now. 
 
Smile
Projecting strength without a smile will come across as arrogant, and not what you want. Smiling also inherently makes you feel better and more confident. If you make eye contact with someone, give them a smile, it’s contagious. 

Eyeball
When talking to someone, make eye contact. Try and hold the contact just a little longer than comfortable. In modern society, we feel uncomfortable looking someone in the eye for a period of time, be the man who doesn't have this problem.
 
Project
Make yourself heard, without forcing it. No one ever said to Don Draper, "Excuse me, could you speak up, Don?” It may seem uncomfortable at first, but soon it will become second nature to you. 

-rbjs