Why is there so much concern about Katie Couric moving to the evening news? The problem is that shes considered too perky. Perky women have problems being taken seriously because their quick and friendly approach makes them seem less thoughtful than their quieter colleagues. Perky people can be very serious, but they feel that its important to keep the atmosphere light and friendly. That's what causes a problem for Katie Couric. Her friendly approach seems perfectly suited for a morning show. The evening news is a different story. Many viewers don't want friendly people presenting the evening news. They want serious newscasters. So how can someone like Katie Couric appear serious enough to do the job? This is the same issue that many other women in business face. If youre a perky person, you may be concerned that people you work with are not taking you seriously. Fortunately, there are some slight adjustments you can make to help other people see you in a different way. Facts vs Feelings Perky people tend to focus more on Feelings. They may share their feelings more quickly and be concerned about other how other people are feeling. Their faces and body language show their emotions. In order to look more serious, perky people may want to control their facial expressions and smile less. They may also want to limit the personal information they share with other people. Thinking vs Action Perky people tend to be more Action-oriented. They talk and act quickly. This may give the impression that they dont take time to thoroughly think through what they do. In fact, they just may think very fast. If you want to look more serious, take more time before you answer a question or take action. Add more pauses to your conversation and let people know that you need some time to think the information over. You can get a full list of suggestions in the book, Why Cant You Communicate Like Me? How Smart Women Get Results At Work. You dont need to change who you are, however, you may want to make small changes in how you communicate so people will take you seriously and pay attention to what you have to say. So if you are perky and friendly like Katie Couric, don't be afraid to show your more serious side. It may make doing your job much easier. |
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