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When you have the floor to speak, you have the opportunity to command the room. You can command the room and lead even when you are not speaking. Follow these six nonverbal acts to establish your executive presence:
1. Acknowledge people when you enter and exit the room.
Don't go directly to a chair and sit down. Recognize people at the beginning and end of a meeting. Nod your head. Raise your hand in the person's direction. Smile.
When people feel recognized, they feel important. It is a simple and impressionable act that will earn you respect. Also, by acknowledging others, it is an opportunity for them to acknowledge your presence.
2. Pay attention to where you sit.
If the meeting is around a table, sit at the table and not on the side. Get in the game. Don't sit on the sidelines. If you think you have less value to offer than others present at the meeting, people will think you are unimportant. Believe you are important, and others will, too.
During the meeting, avoid looking around the room. Don't look at your phone, and don't take too many notes. Lift your head up. Look at the speaker, in a relaxed manner. Don't stare the person down. Let the speaker know you are listening and interested in what they have to say.
The more people feel heard, the more they will engage you and listen to you when you speak. Plus, by focusing on the speaker, you will have a better command of the material and be better positioned to ask insightful, smart questions that people will remember.
4. Don't fidget.
Nervous movements like shaking your foot or twirling your pen are distracting. Don't run the risk of people remembering you for your fidgeting and not your executive presence.
5. Expand your posture.
Don't be afraid to take up some space. Keep your arms open and unlocked. Rest your arms shoulder-length apart on the table. Don't twist your legs into a braid. Don't try to make yourself smaller. Allow yourself to be seen. Take up the space that your frame allows. Use your body language to communicate your confidence.
6. Lean in.
Slightly lean into the speaker. This is another nonverbal cue letting the other person know that you are listening and interested in what they have to say. When you lean in to listen to others, others will lean in to hear you.
A lawyer and strategist, I help individuals and organizations position and advocate
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Redefining Singapore's Urban Landscape, Once Again
With its upcoming Guoco Midtown mixed-use development, GuocoLand is creating a vibrant urban hub fostering well-being, community and the future lifestyle of the people.
At a time when hybrid work arrangements have become the norm and wellness a priority for many, discerning businesses and consumers are on the hunt for real estate that blends functionality with flexibility and quality living standards. Amid this shifting landscape, more mixed-use developments—comprising residential, office and retail offerings with easy access to transport networks—have emerged to satisfy a desire by tenants and residents to have everything that they need at their doorsteps.
Photo: Guoco Tower
GuocoLand
One of Singapore's most iconic mixed-use developments is Guoco Tower, the city-state's tallest building located in the vibrant downtown hub of Tanjong Pagar. Developed by GuocoLand, the towering edifice has not only redefined the area's skyline with its striking architecture, but also elevated Tanjong Pagar from a traditional business district to a sophisticated corporate and residential hub.
Indeed, as one of Singapore's leading real estate developers, GuocoLand has consistently demonstrated its ability to create landmark mixed-use developments through a combination of strategic foresight and architectural excellence. This expertise begins with the judicious selection of development sites and extends to the active rejuvenation of the surrounding neighborhoods.
In the case of Guoco Tower, the developer has successfully melded Tanjong Pagar's rich history with a contemporary allure. The building is home to an array of upscale spaces—from Grade A offices and luxury residences to a retail mall and the plush Sofitel Singapore City Centre hotel—all seamlessly connected to an MRT station. This live-work-play ecosystem has rejuvenated the area, injecting new life and vibrancy into Tanjong Pagar.
Beyond physical infrastructure, GuocoLand also places a premium on sustainability and community well-being in its developments. The Guoco Tower, for instance, houses an oasis of greenery shielded from the surrounding urban bustle known as the City Room, a testament to the importance of environmental mindfulness in modern architectural design.
A City Of The Future
Following the success of Guoco Tower, the spotlight has now shifted to GuocoLand's newest venture—Guoco Midtown. Located in Singapore's Downtown Core business sector, Guoco Midtown mirrors Guoco Tower's successful blueprint. When completed, the 3.2-hectare integrated mixed-use development will add 770,000 square feet of new premium Grade A office space at its 30-story office tower, three retail clusters, more than 400,000 square feet of landscape and public spaces, and two luxury condominiums. The preserved historic Beach Road Police Station will also form part of this new urban community.
Artist's impression: Guoco Midtown
GuocoLand
GuocoLand envisions this project as a "City of the Future," featuring a harmonious balance between urban vibrancy and nature. Indeed, Guoco Midtownwill feature some 30 gardens and landscaped spaces in the heart of the city. Upon completion in 2024, this new "Midtown" neighborhood in the Beach Road-Bugis area expects to welcome over 10,000 corporate executives, residents, retailers and tourists every day.
"Just as the Guoco Tower redefined Tanjong Pagar, Guoco Midtown is poised to reshape the Beach Road-Bugis area, reaffirming our commitment to urban rejuvenation," says Cheng Hsing Yao, CEO of GuocoLand.
Promoting Well-Being
A distinctive element of Guoco Midtown is its emphasis on "Placemaking," a multi-faceted approach to the planning, design and management of public spaces. This concept seeks to leverage a local community's assets, inspiration and potential to create public spaces that improve urban vitality and promote its people's health, happiness and well-being.
With over 400,000 sq ft of landscaped and public spaces, the development will facilitate social interactions and host large-scale events such as concerts, pop-up markets and mass fitness activities. Furthermore, Guoco Midtown's luxury residences offer a novel take on urban living, replete with flexible spaces and a comprehensive suite of public and private facilities.
Future-Proof Workspace and Livingspace
Recognizing that adaptability is key in today's volatile business landscape, Guoco Midtown will introduce an innovative concept know as Network Hub. This facility provides spaces that can seamlessly transition from seminars to networking sessions, boasting features such as meeting rooms, seminar and townhall spaces, training facilities and a café lounge. "The future is hybrid. The demand for flexible workspaces will only grow as workplace dynamics evolve," says Valerie Wong, GuocoLand's Managing Director of Asset Management.
Artist's impression: Network Hub and retail plaza at Guoco Midtown
GuocoLand
Already, Guoco Midtown has piqued the interest of numerous international corporations. With 80% of business pre-commitments for its office space secured or under negotiation, the development promises to be a vibrant melting pot of diverse businesses, from finance and technology to chemicals and consumer brands.
Says Wong: "Our tenants appreciate the diversity. It's not just about renting a space; it's about being part of a vibrant business community, leading to unforeseen collaborations."
Collectively, Guoco Midtown's various innovative features represents the developer's exciting vision of the future of living. Whether it's offering truly flexible living space or extending the concept of home beyond the doorstep to the surrounding community, this groundbreaking project in the heart of the city is meeting the needs of future lifestyles today.
Armed with its comprehensive expertise and visionary approach, GuocoLand is on the cusp of once again elevating Singapore's urban fabric with Guoco Midtown. As the developer continues to create new transformative spaces, it is not only reshaping Singapore's skyline but also redefining the city of the future.
GuocoLand has a stellar track record in developing large-scale, integrated mixed-use...
